The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-28
A COUNTS AUTOMOBILE SHOP.
The Establishing of 1t Came AbOu,
Through an Obstinate Toy.
Paris Letter

fdrlS Letter.
M. lie Comte de Dion. aristocrat. sports
prominent figure In Paris. He was even
known and esteemed beyond the limits of
MS native country wherever there were peo-
pie interested in the progress of the auto
mobile. But there is no doubt that the part
he took in the manifestation against Pres
ident Loubet at the Auteuil race track has
probably contributed to his fame beyond
the sea much more effectively than his
well-flled existence of sensible and fruitful
pon was tine tHpea ag0
Partisan MISREPRESENTATION aimless
and useless. Nevertheless, there was good
stuff in the man, and the merest accident
sufhced to put him on the right track.
One day Comte de Dion bought miniature
locomotive for the little son of one of his
But, though they lighted the alcohol lamp
and got up steam in the tiny boiler, for
some reason the thing. would not work.
Comte de Dion persisted, tried this cog and
that. finally taking his coat off to work
more at ease. He puzzled the whole after
noon on the engine, with no success. Then
ne carried II home and spent the night on
the floor amidst a sundry assortment of
screw-drivers. hammers and files he had
bought on the way.
apart and readjusted several times. At last
toward daybreak, the young count had the
satisfaction of seeing the toy travel merrily
Having thus discovered within him a taste
and an aptitude for mechanics, Comte de
Dion did not return to his idling. but studied
until he became a remarkable engineer.
1t was just at this period that he showed
remarkable business perspicacity in throw
ing all his energies and investing all his
capital into the automobile industry. AT a
time when everybody was deriding the first
clumsy machines that spurted and SHE'D
depstood tSe possibities of sPr the motor
and resolutely cast his lot with its fortune.
1t is universally acknowledged to-day that
no man in France or in any other country
the new locomotiOn.
Not only did he take care of his own in
liberality, helped his competitors, fostered
inventions destined to ruin his own patents,
arguing always that progress can hurt no
Early in his industrial life Comte de Dion
met man in whose qualities he discovered
the complement of his own. That man was
Working at ordinary d wages. First, A. de
Dion made him foreman of his shop. For
several years the two men have been part
ners In business as we'll as close chums in
private life.
1t is a remarkable association, that of
those two men who started in life from such
opposite directions-one the scion of race
that took pride in doing no work; the other
the son of generations of toilers, who him.
The firm of De Dion Bouton has pros
pered. NJ. lie Comte, always well dressed.
always the handsome club man, used his
high position to the best interests of the
new born industry-gave confidence to capt.
tai, founded the powerful automobile club,
secured liberal laws Of circulation for the
ostraciZed vehicles, organized matches and
expositons. and last but not least, made the
automobile fashionable as sport in the
high circles.
Meanwhile NJ. Bouton ran the shop and
ran 1t well. Surrounded by the best engi-
neers, liberal and accessible to inventors.
these two men have retained for their firm
its place in the front rank of competitors.
To-day they have model factory, pleas
antly situated on the banks of the Seine in
the suburbs of Paris, with lots of air and
light and room everywhere. They employ
over 800 picked workmen, who are treated
with consideration, and who earn the best
wages paid anywhere in France, and who
are one and all, absolutely devoted to their
two employers.