Rock Island Argus., 1903-01-15
NEW YORK AUTOMOBILE
SHOW OPENS SATURDAY

When the automobile show opens in
Madison Square garden, New York,
Saturday. Jan. II. the public will have
an opportunity of seeing the wonder
full improvements IL the design and
construction of automobiles that have
been made by American manufacture
ers during the past year. They have
made such giant strides. that. where
as two ago we were five years behind
France, the American product now
compares favorably with any in the
world, and the makers predict that
ere another year goes by, the United
States will lead every other country
in automobile designing, automobile
building and automobile driving.
So far as interest is concerned. no
industrial exhibition since the time of
the bicycle boom has attracted so
much attention. Not an inch of space
remains to be taken in the big amphi-
theatre, even the basement having
been decorated and arranged for the
reception of American and foreign
power driven machines. ..s u
Although considerable attention
has been given to the development of
speed in automobiles. the Madison
Square garden show will prove that
the makers have not been unmindful
of general appearance and comfort.
Graceful cars. handsomely upholster-
ed and fitted with powerful engines,
Will be seen on every hand, and il will
indeed be a most eNacting mOtorist
who cannot find something i'm the big
show to quiet his fancy. The affair
opens on Saturday night. the 18th,
and will continue until the following
Saturday. lit is held under the au-
spices of the Automobile Club of
America. and the National Associa-
tion of Automobile Manufacturers
and the Madison Square Garden com
pany, with Frank W. Sanger as mana
ger. The admission is so cents and
tradesmen are admitted free up to 1
o'clock each day upon presentation
of their business cards. During the
week annual meetings will be held by
the American Automobile association.
the American Motor league and the
National Association of Automobile
manufacturers. The latter will also
have its banquet in the Waldorf-Asto-
ria.
Many surprises i'm design and con-
structiOn are promised. From diminu-
tive runabouts to pondrous road loco
motives, selling at from $3.50 to S12,-
600, will give a variety that is expect
ed to satisfy everyone. There will be
electric. steam and gasoline runabouts
in profusion, and a plethora of ''mile-
autos, some of which have
done the trick and others that are
to furnish railroad speed. |
There will he auto busses, auto am |
balances, auto patrol wagons, and |
auto delivery wagons to transport |
anything from a package of hand
kerchiefs to a five ton safe.
Most important in the improve
ments in the 1908 machines. as shown
er wheel bases to make riding easier,
lighter construction in the body, but
heavier running gears, wooden wheels
instead of wire ones, more commodi-
Gus carriage bodies, wheels of equal
size made to take the same size tires,
transmission gears and
more positive clutch action, enlarged
radiators or cooling systems, better
and improved ignition by
nagnetos or batteries. OF the 1872 eX-
libitors that have taken space, SO are
makers of automobiles, the remainder
,eing makers of lamps, motors, parts
md accessories. The show is expect
"a to be a society event in New York,
is the automobile is fast taking the
,Iace of the short tail horse for af-
ernoon outings in the park. More
,ver the automobile provides an out
ct that can consume surplus funds at
pace commensurate with the speed
furnished by the power-driven ma
hines.