… in 1897??
I found this Q&A of sorts in the March 13, 1897, issue of Rider and Driver:
The Use of Rubber Tires in New York
The Rider and Driver was asked to decide a discussion and bet on the question whether in our opinion 25 percent of the first-class private Landaus, Victorias, and Broughams used in the city of New York have rubber tires [which had begun to come into vogue in the late nineteenth century]. We decided the matter in the affirmative, after investigation.
The following letters are interesting in connection with the subject.
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FLANDRAU & CO., New York, March 2, 1897
To the Editor of The Rider and Driver: It is very difficult to answer the question exactly, but we should say that 25 percent was well within the mark of first-class private Landaus, Victorias, and Broughams fitted with rubber tires, though we certainly put more than that portion on the new ones we sell, and have put rubber tires on a number of vehicles already in use and purchased before the rubber tires were being put on, and that we think is true of all first-class houses. If such a thing as an actual count could be made we should say one-third would be found to be correct, and that of new carriages being sold, at least 25 percent of Victorias and Cabriolets, and one-half of the Broughams are being fitted with rubber tires. — Very truly yours, Flandrau & Co.
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R. M. STIVERS, New York, March 1, 1897
To the Editor of The Rider and Driver: Your favor, February 27, just to hand. If you include Landaus, Victorias, and Broughams as comprising the vehicles lumped, I should think that 25 percent of them had rubber tires. Have never given due thought. If one stood on the avenue, he could easily count the private rigs that passed a certain point in a given time. — Respectfully, R. M. Stivers
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BREWSTER & CO., New York, March 1, 1897
To the Editor of The Rider and Driver: In reply to your letter of the 27th, would say that we can only answer you as far as our own customers are concerned. All our Landaus and Broughams have rubber tires on for stock, as a standard requisite; of Victorias, we probably do not sell over one-quarter with them on. — Yours truly, Brewster & Co.
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HEALEY & CO., New York, March 1, 1897
To the Editor of The Rider and Driver: Replying to your inquiry of the 27th, concerning rubber tires, we should say that 25 percent of the private Broughams and Landaus have rubber tires. We may be mistaken and over-estimate a little, but should say it was about that amount. — Very faithfully, Healey & Co.
The Slower Road 