New-York tribune., 1904-10-09
rHE ArTOWORILE RACE.

Contests Ike the one conducted on Long ISL
and yesterday under the auspices or the AulO-
mobile Club Of America are not without tnelr
practical advantages, but they also have serious
drawbacks. With the majority OF persons VINO
contemplate purchasing a horseless carnage
demonstration OF powers OF endurance eAeE-
cises a more persuasive influence than an e1-
hibition Of speed. Moreover. running on pub
lie highway at a speed equal to that or the En-
pire State Express IS extremely hazardous
Experience abroad has shown that lie ana
limb are imperilled when such velocities are
maintained for several hundred miles. Every
thing considered the list Of casualties yesIer-
day was a short one. but the warning or foreign
precedents did not suffice to prevent number
Of accidents. one Of which resulted fatally.
The great essential of success in speed con-
test, no doubt is the power OF the engine which
drives a elf-propelled vehicle. Next IN lInpor-
tance is a spirit OF daring which may easily De
mistaken for recklessness, If it is not ldenucai
Herewith. A man must take appalling rlsAs Il
he hopes to win. An owner who displays
willingness 10 do so invites comment on MS
sense and Judgment that is uncomplimentary'
10 say the least. and likely TO affect his stand
ing with practical men OF affairs. II the re-
sponsibility Of operating a machine Is lhIrusI-
ed 10 a professional chauffeur, as was tne case
with most Of the entries yesterday. other ul-
pleasant possibilities must be faced. One Is tne
chance that an employe may be killed or Daoly
hurt during the race.
Not the least Of the objections to aNace IKE
Yesterdays is that the public is subject 10 more
or less Inconvenience and danger. The parucl-
pants are rot the only persons 10 be considered.
The interruption Of traffic on the route re-
served for the automobiles was nOminaly Inn
tied TO a period of ten hours on the day OF
the race. Many speed trials were MADE IN ad-
vance hOwever-contrary TO ldw-and Ieglti-
mate travel was embarrassed thereby. Nor
was this trouble experienced only by people Iv-
inc along the race course. over part OF the
course if is customary for the wagons OF mar
L-a+ Gardeners 10 come 10 Brooklyn or other
noin+s IN the Long Island Railway. and these
,,,ara likely TO encounter d "scOrcher" almost
any day last week Popular opposition 10 the
race. due to these and other reasons, diminished
in a surprising manner during the few days
Immediately preceding the contest but II was
certainly not without ample justification.
II trials of speed between automobiles are to
be held IN the future, as undoubtedly they VIII
he one radical change should he made in the
provision for them. They should De permitted
only on a private track. II none Of the courses
already dedicated 10 horse races can be Utilized
suitable grounds should be secured elsewhere
and carefully inclosed. Perhaps 1t might be
deemed expedient 70 erect a grandstand Tor
snecta+ors and exact admission fees, but that
Is a minor consideration. II cannot be recog-
uized TOO soon that public sentiment will not
and should not sanction the continued use OF
public highways for This purpose when speed
exceeding the legal limit is intended