The times., 1900-12-23
THG AUTO IN IT'S GLORY
Washington a Great Field for
Testing Its'Values.
Used Socially. CommcrciaIly, and Of
Observation-Disclosures People Who
Daily Take Rides in The HOrselcss
Vehicles Finely Equipped Ma
chimes Used by Foreign ministers.

! ers. The show of horseless vehicles which
terminated short while ago is proof of
their growing popularity, and, indeed, it
has been prophesied that. at no very dis
tant date, they will have become the
! prevalent means OF locomotion. long
line of these vehicles was witnessed in
the late Centennial Celebration, moving in
slow and stately progression. strangely at
, variance with their skittishness on ordi-
! nary occasions when their complicated
and apparently somewhat uncertain evo-
,utions cause the pedestrian on the street
| varied and not altogether pleasant emo
| tions. This was an event in the history
of automobilism fanoiher of those hideous
adjectives which the horseiess vehicle has
given rise to), and it was. moreover, CO.
incident with the exposition at Conven-
/ tion Hall.
The Capital City is, indeed, fast becom-
! ing the Mecca for the devotees of the au-
| tomobile. The streets in this city might
/ have been designed for the anti-equine
| sport, SO broad and beautifully paved are
they, and so free from the rude hustle of
mercantile traffic. Within the past twelve
months Wasbingtonian have purchased
| 81 900 0G0 worth of the machines, and these
are now doing all kinds of service from
| carrying society bellies on afternoon balls
10 transporting holiday purchases to their
various destinations They startle one by
day with their strange and horrible forms.
and glide past at night, leaving perhaps.
only streak Of ghostly white vapor 10
mark their course. They are of all styles.
re M ~ weird rpO
strous creations which appear like derelict
creatures from another planet as they
go by With a sound like that produced by
sawmil out of order. There are victo-
rias. and broughams, and divers other
fashionable patterns, well as light,
businesslike looking runabouts and there
are express wagons and railway station
cabs. all going about the city on their va
riOus missions OF profit or pleasure.
Diplomatists and statesmen are whisked
about, officially and unofilcially. upon
autos and they are often compelled to
dodge horseless delivery wagons. some
owned by shopkeepers and others by the
Government. There are even autoca-
rettes SO called, which very much re-
somble the old-fashioned horse cars
without the horses. They are not de-
pendent upon tracks, though, and have
all that fascinating freedom OF movement
50 characteristic of autos as a class.
These conveyances are said TO be dam
aging, to some extent, the street
traffic, as they carry passengers for the
same price.
On the suburban roads about the city
horseless vehicles are often encountered,
and these prove true blessing to per-
sons living cut OF town.
The Celestial Minister Mr.. WI, is thor
oughly imbued with the automobile fad
In Ia rraU uafsa cfaa
head-dress, he cuts quite a striking figure
as he fits by Oh his mo pushy no puily''
contriyanee, which he maneuvres with
fantastic grace and skill characteristic of
his countrymen. During the height of the
Pekin troubles MIR. Wu's machine. stand
ing outside the entrance to the State De-
partment afforded the curious mind GER
tain and frequent indication that the Min
lister himself was within In the then per-
turbed state Of his mind China's eminent
representative is said to have derived
great mental relief from rapid ana eX-
tended trips in his automobile.
Count Cassini, the Russian Ambassador.
has a horseless machine of great powers
that is almost a counterpart of that owned
by the Chinese Minister. When the Count
received the auto" he was busy in mat
ters OF state, but his young niece devoted
a considerable amount OF attention toward
mastering the mysteries of the contrivance.
The fair Countess, though a Russian, is
said TO yield no point 10 her American sis
ters in go, and this fact she demon
strated In the case of her uncle's automo-
bile. She soon extracted from the ma
chine all ii was capable OF within the lin
its Of absolute harm. and when the Count
found time for a ride, she insisted upon
being his driver. The diplomat remembers
the: trip TO this day as a memorable. If
not altogether pleasurable experience. His
ner-e and finesse did not stand him in any
steal whatever as, clutching tightly at the
seat, he was whisked around corners at a
rate that made him wonder whether he
was on his head or his heels.
The auto would be barely balanced on
two wheels on this side. then on that,
and again it would seem to give a
mighty jump, and be endeavoring to con-
vert itself into flying machine. 1t would
suddenly change its onward flight for
retrograde movement. and then would
come to a complete standstill with such
awful suddenness as to shake the counts
very soul. 1t behaved like an ocean liner
in peculiarly heavy sea, but the fun
was all upon one side. and the eminent |
diplomatist was, for once in his life, |
obliged TO beg for concessions in favor OF
n more conservative policy.
Mime Wilde, wife OF the Argentine Min |
lister. is an enthusiastic admirer of the !
automobile Mrs Hansbrough. wife of
the Senator from North Dakota, and |
Mrs. Fairbanks. wife Of the Indiana Sen
ator. are also well known as devotees of |
the horseless vehicle!~
Many young society women have their |
machines. which they employ in calling !
and shopping. Miss Martha Hichborn, |
daughter of the Rear Admiral. and Miss |
Merriam. daughter OF the Director Of the /,
Census are skillful drivers. |
1t is natural that women should fancy |
the auto, as It is controlled by finesse
rather than physical strength and mas
terry. There is some art. however, requi-
site in the management of the lever. and |
it is perhaps easier to know what TO do
than what not TO do. rash movement |
being very likely to send the contrivauce
over the sidewalk or render It and its
occupant or occupants hors du combat
Senators Depew of New York and VOL
colt of Colorado and Congressman Rich
ardson. Democratic leader in the House,
are owners OF automobiles.
Although while in Canton a short time
ago. the President took a ride in an auto
mobile and professed himself as being
greatly delighted herewith. he has not
yet INDUCED in ore for himself and
Washingtonians ha' never seen him in
the horseless vehic e. Many manufactur-
er5 have urged them upon him. but he |
has refused all such offers.
The recent Centennial parade demon
stratcd the popularity of the automobile
with officers Of the army and navy. Ad-
miral and Mrs. Dewey are often seen riding
about In what has been considered the
equipment OF that character
in the city. 1t is large victoria, splendid
ly appointed, belonging TO John r. Mclean,
Mrs. Dewey's brother.
1t has appeared strange to many persons