The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-11-11


IL said that the General entertains q
novel scheme for equipping q heavy
high-power automobile with a metallic
shield, so that its occupants may be
protected from bullets.
But interest in the utility OF this Or
that machine for fighting purposes
doesn't account for the presence at the
show Of people from almost every part
of this country, even from Texas and
California. Most of the visitors-and
some came In groups of from ten to two
hundred-had made up their minds that
the automobile was a great institution
for everyday use in time of peace, and
they wanted to inspect the most COM
Portable and durable machines for pleas
ure riding.
There is no doubt that widespread
misunderstanding exists concerning the
comparative merits of French and Ameri-
can vehicles. A shrewd observer has
remarked that the chief aim, apparently,
of the French manufacturers is to pro-
duce a machine capable Of high speed,
to let it establish a record Of some sort,
and then TO sell it to an American at a
fancy price. OF course, that view of
the situation is somewhat extreme,
but, all the same, 1t affords subject for
reflection.
Indeed, it Is precisely upon this ques-
ton of the sale Of French machines here
that members Of the Automobile Club Of
America and Of the Association Of Ameri-
can Automobile Manufacturers are just
now at odds. The manufacturers main
tain that the purchase, by officers Of
the Automobile Club, of foreign-made
vehicles is virtually an affront to the
makers of motor carriages here, par
ticularly as the machines made abroad
are only suitable for racing. whereas
those made here are of many kinds and
are admittedly Of superior design. Senti-
ment in the matter has become so strong
among tho members of the two %organi-
cations that, on Thursday, at a meeting
of the manufacturers in the Garden, a
resolution was introduced which criti-
chaufeurs who have failed to encourage
the automobile industry at home. They
have. it is alleged, paid e%xorbitant
prices for vehicles in no respect any
better than those produced in this
country.
OF course, the privilege Of a member
Of the Automobile Club or any one else
to buy a machine wherever he likes is
indisputable, and whether he receives
by the transaction the value of his
money is for him alone TO decide. Con-
sidering that only in the last few months
has it been shown that racing machines.
the style of motor vehicle imported
almost exclusively, could be built here
which were as good rs those of France,
il would seem as il our manufacturers
were a little hasty in making the accusa-
ton referred to. Prior TO the recent
CON etitions, little was known publicly
o hing the speed of our ma
chine, while the French racers had been
for some time characterized as whirl-
winds" We do not believe that, 20 any
extent, the automobilists Of this country
will hereafter go N Of their way to pro-
cure racers, and il is certain that the
demand for motor vehicles Of other
kinds can be satisfied here better than
anywhere else in the world.
All things considered, perhaps il vas
for the very best that the sentiment Of
the manufacturers toward a compare
lively small number Of automobile
owners should be revealed openly at the
time ii was, when those inclined TO dis
pute the claims Ms to the worth of the
American vehicles were enabled to see
for themselves that the makers asser-
tons as 10 quality were well founded.
Ii is safe to predict that the American
manufacturers will have their hands
full between now and next summer TO
meet the demands upon them. and.
therefore. they will have little time or
cause for complaint.