The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-05
Gro NDS IHRONGING
TO AUTO EXHIBIT.
Northwestern Dealers and Visitors
in Evidence at Chicago
Show.

II
to the public yesterday, the two build
ings presented busy scene while the
exhibitors and their assistants rear
ranged their exhibits and moved in be-
lated cars that were held up en- route
by the railroads.
1t was also Snowman show day, the
busy men in the various booths taking
time enough to inspect the exhibits of
their rivals. The review resulted in
much good-natured banter as to who
there was general air Of bon homie
thruout the two buildings.
Gophers at Show.
Throngs crowded the big hall again
today and the northwestern contingent
was much in evidence. There were a
great many visitors from Minneapolis
arriving on morning trains and the
-four city agents were doing all in their
power to assist their townsmen in see
ing the show. Every Minneapoliss
it is expected that there viii be heavy
selling for the northwest before the
| show closes.
The automobile, judging from the ex. .
| hibits, has gone far beyond the fad
stage. This is best evidenced by the
| great attention paid to the vehicle for
1 commercial use. There are samples Of
| every conceivable form of trucks and
delivery wagons. Then comes the
] touring cars and runabouts in endless
variety and the smaller section re-
served to the racing machine.
In every department. simplicity ap-
. pears to be the keynote. Manufacture
ers appear to be vying with each other
in the elimination of superfuous fit
tings and trappings for the machine.
1 There is an evident move to SO simplify
1 the mechanism of the machines that
/ tyros will never have road troubles be
yond their ability to repair. The model
machines Of today are IN marked con
trast with the ponderous, unwieldy
intricate machines Of few years ago
American Manufacturers are leading
in this move and going far In advance
Of their European rivals in simplifying
the running Of the automobile.
| Little Experimenting.
There is less Of the experimental OF
view this year than ever before. Freaks
are almost entirely absent and such a.
are on view are looked at with more o:
amusement than admiration or buy1nl
intention. rs -.-..,. -, p.
Lessened weight is also a feature O.
the general run Of the new machines
Where weight is increased it appears t.
be on account Of augmented horsepower
There are no more great big machine
with small power. The American max
ers this year are adopting one featur
Of auto building which will pleas
American buyers. In past years
was by no means uncommon for maker
4 to promise :; horsepower which the er
gines could never deliver. The foreig
makers adopted an opposed policy
$ They rated their engines at a less horse
/ power than they would develop. Thi
/ proved pleasing surprise to buyers an
!. the American manufacturers are no
!. taking up with the idea. It is not III
+ common for the engines of 1906 cars t
e develop from five to eight, and even a
e times ten-h horsepower, more than tn
manufacturer had announced for th
a car. .s....r., -. So -,..g+z. ~. :,
h H., Simplicity Is Desired.
e There are few startling innovation
q The automobile has passed the exper
VI mental stage. The trend is now in tt
le direction of simplicity, an even deli
" cry Of power, lessened weight, tire il
provement and comfort for the motto
IS lists. Buying is general turnout tt
= show and the makers are pleased Wi
= the results. -. ~
From the interest taken by the mort
western visitors, 1t would. appear tn
some Of the finest American cars are
be seen in Minneapolis and nearl
L, cities this year, and if show prospec
IS continue, Minneapolis dealers will ha,
OF hard work to supply the demand f
make it appear e that this year 5 reeer
et- Of sales will eclipse anything esta
Z a Eshe1 in the mast 1%'s- E.,,9