The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-03
Fine Machines Now Seen on
 Birmingham Streets
CLUB HAS BEEN ORGANIZED
Motor Cars Cannot Yet be Rented Here, But Public Machines Will Soon be in Great
 Demand.

Demand.
 In the past two or three years the number of automobiles in Birmingham has increased rapidly and the quality were one or two steam machines in the city. and they attracted a great deal of attention. About the same time couple of electriacl autos were purchased and for q while were the subject of conver- sation on all the street corners.
 New automobile cars of the largest and latest types go and come through the streets, attracting no special attention except from few of the rural visitors to town. In the past six months the number of machines has increased at a wonderful rate and during the next six months the dealers in the machines ex- pect to sell more than ever before.
 There are probably iftys autos of various kinds in Birmingham at the present time ranging from the imported car which cost several thousand dollars to the ordinary runabout which can be bought for as many hundred. majority of the ma- chimes in the city cost in the neighbor- hood of $500 to $lOO0, but there are half a dozen which cost from $500 to $3000 These cars are the very latest design, and are as handsome as any to be found in the south. There are few handsomer or finer machines travelling around the country with the exception of the racing or touring cars of the millionaires. One of the finest autos recently brought to Birmingham is that owned by Frank G. Kinney, and among the latest additions to the local automobilists is Oliver Chalifoux, who has just purchased beau tiful machine.
 None for Hire.
 As yet it is impossible to rent autos in Birmingham, but in the couras of the next few months cars for hire will prob ably be paying business. The automo- bile trade in Birmingham has increased at such rate that a large and thorough ly equipped exchange has been establish ed on South Twentieth street.
 An automobile club has been organized in this city and already runs have been taken through the surrounding country. Others are arranged for the summer. AL most every night parties of automobillsts strkea rides out of Birmingham. They are Hegging for better roads and better protection or tnci- tires by passing laws prohibiting people from shrowfig glass, tin cans and other things about the street which are apt to cause a puncturc.
 The machines used in Birmingham now are mostly gasoline, as they have proven the easiest, fastest and best for this sec- tion of the country. However, one of the most stylish in appearance and the cas- lest to handle is an electric runabout re- gently bought.
 Tours within a radius of 100 miles of Birmingham are being made every week or so now, and the gasoline machines are proving the best for this purpose Trips to Tuscaloosa and back have been made in from eight to twelve hours, according to the condition of the roads. The gasoline engines have also proven the best here as they are great many hills to be climbed, and they have shown remark able ability in this line.
 The machines here vary in weight from about 1000 pounds to 1900, and they vary in horse power from 6 to 20 or 22 and show a speed of from 8 to 35 miles an hour. There are one or two which have developed 40 miles an hour under perfect roads and weather condition.
 Not the Red Devil.
 People of Birmingham are also learn ing that the auto is not the red devil" it is painted, and that there Is really less chance of accident than with the horse carriage. The machines are under such perfect control, and their mechanism is so delicate that 1t Is possible to stop them | instantly. At the ordinary speed main tained around the streets of Birmingham | it is possible to stop a ear in it's own length, and from full speed it can be stopped In three lengths. The levers which I regulate the speed are so delicate that any speed can be maintained by the easiest pressure of the hand.
 | The headlights vary as do the machines themselves. There are the large 12-inch mirror headlights which cost in the neigh borhood of $100 and throw bright light 100 yards in advance. and again there are the smaller ones, costing about s25, which light up only a few yards in front of the machine.
 | The best roads around Birmingham are | those leading to East Lake, Bessemer. and what is known as the Mount Pinson road. The Bessemer road is about eighteen miles long. and in good condition. | East Lake is reached by following the Fifth avenue road to Avondale, and then taling what is known as the poor house Toad from there to East Lake The Mount Pinson road is about the most attractive, the scenery being better along that than any of the others. The cline to Shades mountain, which is about seven miles, and an incline of about 500 feet from Twentieth street, is also one of the pie turesque roads. and 1t furnishes a test for an automobile. It was made in thirty five minutes several days ago, and this is considered rather remarkable time.
 
 Gayoso Company is Organized.
 Jasper, July 2-(SpeciaL 1.-The organ ization of the Gayoso Coal company which