New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-05
CROWDS STOP AUTOS
RACES CALLED OFF.
Spectators Block atlantic City Beach
and PreUent Speeding.
EBy Telegraph to Tho Tribune.


Atlantic CITY, Nj, Sept. 4.-The automobile ra ces
the beach here to-day under the auspices Of the
Atlantic City Automobile Club had TO be stopped
after the contests for touring had been fin
shed. because of the rain although It was rain
ing at the time, but because most of the fifteen
thousand people who were watching the races
swarmed the beach and made further driving
too hazardous. The contests had been scheduled
TO start at o'clock and. although 1t rained in the
early morning and gave little signs of clearing the
sun came out shortly before noon Dark clouds
gathered hour later and o'clock rain fell
again. The first race was started at $40 D. m in
a downpour.
In spite of the weather conditions two thousand
people occupied the grand stand, many of whom
were women. There covering to the stand
and umbrellas formed roof The entire mile
stretch over which the races were run to-day was
lined with people.
When the big racing cars were about to start
the trouble began. The spectators rushed down on
the course The police arrangements were ex-
trenely inadequate. In fact few OF the of1cers
seemed TO exert themselves in trying to keep the
crowd back.
The officials announced ell along the line that
further racing could not take place unless the
course was cleared. The crowd swarmcd all over
the wire attached to the electric timing apparatus
and kicked 1t out Of its holdings. F. J. wagner
the starter, yelled in vain for the crowd TO keen
back
The 6o-horsepower Ford car finally came tearing
UP the beach at a 90 mile an hour speed. How the
crowd separated in time to avert a catastrophe is
miracle Just after passing the finishing line
the machine tried TO avoid running into the crowd
and 1t was due 10 the skill of Frank Kulick who
drove the machine that there was not bad
accident. When It was seen that this did not warn
the crowd It decided TO call off the races.
There seemed to be ample room for every
to see the races and Il thought unnecessary
of the Atlantic City Automobile Club said every
precaution would be taken to prevent such
currence tomorrow, and that. besides roping the
course. hundred extra policemen would be
sworn in to keep order.
1t Will be necessary to start to-morrow's contests
hour later than to-day, owing to the tide, and
there is doubt whether the full programme can be
finished
One OF the features to-day the appearance
OF Mrs Cuneo in the contests. Mrs. Cr4neo gained
prominence in road driving in the recent Glidden
tour but this was her first appearance in an open
contest. 1t was in the one mile moving start con-
test. for lightweight cars, stripped that she made
her debut in her 15-horsepower White steamer. but
she failed to do better than to get second prize.
Tie beach afforded course Of about fifty yards
in width for good racing to-day. owing to the heavy
rain Considering that it raned during most OF
looked for tomorrow. The summaries follow;
One mile aght.sEh t51 to w sh gogq se 9 Ing
horsepower stanisy driven by owner: Mrs J. n cuneos
White by Msx%e
driven BY Carl Kelsey third: Time ,5 lsAs %. ,,.
9Pf mile g
power Packard: Buick Auto Companys - horsepower
Buick car second; Auto Companys "a horsepowsr
Buick car. driven By Edward Wilke third Tine l;lo7
all: not stripped; cars TO
carry passengers; the driver to wrlves
three minutes winsWon by Everett Mehrers
4ohorsepower Thomas driven by owner j. N wilkins,
tr's 4o-horsepower Winon driven by owner second; T.
McDonalds "a horsepower PopsToedo driven by James
Duffy third. Time. 3oeSs.
one milo (for touring cars; stripped owner and
passengers; owned by residents Of Atlantic lily
and driven ~ chauffeur owner: moving start--Won
Sv Charles SWANS 30 horsepower Winton; John y.
Wilkn ir's horsepower Winton second Time, 1:26
2O-horsepower stripped;
must be owned by residents Atlantic City and
Grated bv driver owner: moving sartWon by James
Riley's horsepower Welch, driven by owner G. H
Tonees 2O-horsepower Jores-Corbin driven by owner
second: John Donnellys "a horsepower National driven
by owner third. Time. LIT