New-York tribune., 1901-07-01
THE EUROPEAN AUTOMOBILE RACE.

The horseess carriage race from Paris to
Berlin last week differed in several respects
from the one conducted a few weeks ago under
the auspices of the Long Island Automobile
Club. 1t extended through three days instead
of being finished In one. 1t covered distance
OF more than seven hundred miles instead of
one hundred and ii developed much higher
speeds. In fact the American contest was one
of endurance and hill climbing powers only, and
conformed to the legal limitations of eight and
twelve miles an hour for city and country roads
respectively. Then again, the participants suf-
fered no more unpleasant consequences from
the run on Long Island than a bad wetting,
while those who undertook the trip from Paris
to Berlin met with many accidents and sub
jected themselves to appalling physical and
nervous strain More than one contestant
dropped out of the after it began for this
reason, and several men who had intended to
take part sensibly withdrew before the start,
becoming convinced that they We're not equal
TO such an experience. Surely, this is not the
kind of travel for which the automobile is de-
signed. Finally, the machines which under
took the seven hundred mile journey were even
less suited TO afford conveyance in comfort than
a trotting sulky a modern cup defender. The
vehicles that engaged in the Brooklyn clubs
contest were built primarily for business or
pleasure.
A trial like that which has just been con-
cluded is open to many objections If those
who participated in it risked only their own
lives there would be little excuse for interfer-
ence. But heavy vehicles moving on a public
highway at speed Of from thirty-five TO forty
miles an hour for from seven to ten hours con-
secutively gravely menace other peoples safety.
1t is gratifying to notice that vigorous pro-
in tan tho, ,I,ar q
Deputies against the proceeding. In this coun-
try laws have been passed In several States
forbidding such speeds And while these prohi-
bitions are not strictly observed, there is
growing public sentiment on the subject that
must eventually have its effect. Moreover If
running as fast as an express train on n coun-
try road is objectionable in an individual how
much more must it be In a collection of in
dIviduals. There were upward of fifty entries
in last weeks race. Those who are charged
with the management of speed contests for
pure sport in the future may we'll consider the
wisdom of conducting them in n special inclos-
ure like that devoted TO horse racing. So far
the spectators are concerned this plan would
doubtless prove more acceptable than tho,
present one, and the system would offer at least
good test of the merits of both vehicle and
driver. If it We're deemed advisable the track
could be provided with sharp turns steep
grades and stretches of gravel sand TO in
crease the difficulties of the circuit.
In spite OF the manifest dra awbaeks 10 race
like that which has Just been witnessed on the
other side of the Atlantic. II nevertheless has
some advantages The ability of horseless car
riages and their propellng mechanism 10 with
stand the varied stresses OF hard days SER
vice is promoted by competitive trials under