New-York tribune., 1900-12-13
THE AUTOMOBILE.
REPORT ON AMERICA CLUBS NEW
HOUSE SOON TO BE MADE.
MEMBERS INTERESTED IN ADJUSTMENT
OF LAW PREVENTING FERRYBoATS
FROM CARRYING GASOLINE CAR
RIAGES - EFFICIENCY CON-
TEST NEXT SPRING.

The report OF the Board OF Governors Of the
Automobile Club OF America. which has been for
some time considering the question OF building q
clubhouse, and which empowered TO decide
upon the site, cost and plans for the building. Is
expected to be announced on Tuesday evening. De-
cember IS. when informal meeting OF the club
will be held in the clubrooms at the Waldorf-As-
toria- Half dozen proposed sites have been care
fully considered. The consensus OF opinion OF the
members OF the Board Is that. while Il Is desirable
10 have clubhouse with commodous quarters for
the housing OF the automobiles owned by the mem
bers the funds OF the club could be used better
just at present in encouraging and strengthening
the automobile industry than in expending them
for large quarters IN the proposed club building for
automobiles. The Board Is in favor OF having the
club near the Plaza at FIfty-ninth-st. and Fifth
ave. and II is probable that the clubhouse will be in
that section OF the city.
The members intensely interested IN the
mova OF the restriction prohibiting the carrying OF
carriages using gasolene ferryboats George F.
Chamberlin. Of the Law Committee Of the Auto
mobile Club was seen at his Office, at No. 81 Mas
sau-st. yesterday afternoon, and when asked as to
what steps would be taken looking TO the abolish
ment Of this restriction said
The Law Committee will soon make test case
law I W5iap OF & having the court eonstrge the
CARRIAGES using gasoene on ferryboats. Several
ferry companies have sgnihed their willingness TO
cooperate in obtaining relief from this hardship.
The differences Of opinion on the subject due to
Section No 4.472 of the Revised Statutes Of the
United States Among other things the statutes
Ierryboats. We contend that the transportation Of
freiEbt II is n3gTe uss - ~ nV' SS ~ "a
from the ruling Of Inspector-General DumOnt to
rulings OF the Inspector-General. but advised the
club to make test case 10 construe the law. The
case Will be brought soon.
1t was learned last night that one Of the com
panies which Will cooperate with Mr.. Chamber
I'm In the test case the first TO issue ar edict
against such vehicles Mr.. Chamberlin has received
letter from the company in which ii says that It
is ready to cooperate with him for the removal
OF the restriction in any way that he thought best
1t was also learned that Mr.. ChamberIin was su-
pervising the drawing up Of bill for submission to
Congress regarding the carrying Of automobiles on
ferryboats It will be worded so to allow any
automobile without fire a ferryboat.
The Automobile Club has decided to have a con-
test Of efficiency next spring. 1t will be similar to
the held last year In Great Britain and will
in no sense be a The will cover between
six hundred and thousand miles F. W. Tousey,
one OF the founders of the Automobile Club OF
Great Britain, who perfected the details Of the
arrangements OF the run held IN Great Britain last
year. is now a member Of the Automobile Club
OF America. He will probably be active In per-
fecting the arrangements for the competition to
be held here next spring The question Of routes
is being considered, and when the selection and the
arrangements for the trial have been made the
club will be ready to receive applications for places
in this contest OF efficiency. The club Is working
strenuoUsly for the promotion and the encourage
ment Of all around efficiency, and for the develop
ment of more perfect type of a motor carriage
for America II will award large cash prizes IL is
said, to the successful competitors in the test to
held next spring. The following points will prob
ably be considered IN making the awards: Price,
weight, horsepower shown by performance, per-
carried price in proportion to seating capacity,
price in proportion 10 power Of motor, power in
proportion TO seats occupied power in proportion
TO weight. mechanical efficiency as shown by hill
climbing trials, simplicity Of transmission accessi-
btlity OF mechanism, quality and sufhciency OF
speed gear, easiness Of adjustment. steering gear,
brakes and brake gear ignition arrangements and
apparatus, general design mechanically, general
design appearance, average speed on trial out or
control In proportion 10 average Of legal limit,
workmanship, especially OF machinery. condition Of
al end Of trial, regularity Of running on trial.
breakages and defects II previously mentioned and
general observance Of trta' regulations.
1t IS thought that many members OF the club
will take part in the Saturday TO Bridge
port The start win be made at 10 a. m. from
Astor Court and luncheon will be served at STAN
ford The run home will be made on Sunday.