Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-08
AutO-Graphs

1t is conceded by the American auto
mobile industry that the makers of
Europe were it's mentors and the ex-
cellence of foreign cars never has been
gainsald by the conservative element
here. 1t is now admitted by the for
eign makers, however, that the Ameri-
can builders have been for several
years rapidly overhauling those of the
continent. BY some enthusiastic sup
porters of the home industry it is
claimed that the manufacturers of the
United States are now bettering the in
struction. While still conceding the
excellence of the imported cars, the
number of Americans who are tour
ing abroad this year in American cars
and the number of former users of for
eign cars who now buy domestic made
machines tells volumes concerning that
standard the American product has at
tained.
There are those who contend that at
! present the imported machines are de-
pendent for their sales here largely up
on the prestige won in tn past. This
may not be precisely true, but the re-
mark of one importer of a very we'll
known make of foreign car has pecu-
| liar significance. When asked why he
did not enter a car for the Glidden
touring tourney he replied that by so
doing he would have everything to lose
and nothing to gain:
Lancia, the great and daring, is now
certain to be a competitor with a Fiat
for the Vanderbilt cup. There is no
doubt about his being formidable, but
his entry does not seem to be soaring
anyone else.
Need for pilot cars and confetti
trail is imperative for this years ma
tional tour of the A. A. A, f)r the
Glidden cup, because of the route
chosen. The success of the tour will
depend to a great extent upon the
path-nding cars and in this respect the
committee has been lucky in securing
the same combination that pulled the
famous New York to Pittsburg tour
successfully through the floods in 1903
a Pierce-Arrow and White steamer.
Walter White has already consented to
furnish one pilot car and F. A. Nick
erson, who with his Arrow showed the
way for all to Pittsburg, has been so
politely solicited to lend his services
that his consent is being reckoned upon.
Besides the confetti trail left by the
pilot cars, sign posts will be erected at
the perplexing points of the route.
A letter has been received by man
ufacturer asking If he will bring out
six-cylinder electric car next year.
The answer is not yet nor soon, but the
wizard may if he discovers a few
more cobalt mines.
That the American Automobile as
sociation is very much alive to it's re-
sponsibilities is amply evidenced by it's
having two members of the racing
board abroad studying the methods of
the French in conducting the grand
prix. Jefferson de Mont Thompson,
chairman of the racing board, is there
incidentally to a pleasure tour but A.
G. Batchelder of the board, who has just
arrived in Paris, was sent as a special
commissioner and it is generally recog-
nized that, above all others, he is spe-
cialy qualified for such a mission.
Late advices from Germany stating
that the lone American in the Her
komer touring contest did get an
award of a medal are encouraging to
the belief that maybe American makers
have a look in at foreign contests
after all The news of the award con-
firmed private dispatch from Percy
Pierce to the effect that he finished the
run with a clean score.
The motorist of experience will be-
ware of showing oil cans and inner
tubes in the same box. 1t is something
like putting eggs and canned goods in
the same basket.