The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-31
NOTABLE AUTO YEAR
More Than 500 Cars Regis
tered Here in 1906.
MARKED INCREASE IN SALES
Estimated That Large Percentage of
Machines I'm Use in Washington
Were Bought This Year-InteresT
Is shown I'm Coming Races on Flor
ida Observation-Disclosures in Mexico.


The year 1906 has been q notable one in
the history Of the American automobile.
The ratio Of Increase in the manufacture
and use Of motor propelled vehicles has
been even greater than during 1905, which
showed a remarkable record, and the in
crease promises to continue in 1907. The
automobile has taken a position in the
daily life of the public from which it can
not be uproOted and its manufacture now
ranks high in the industrial world
When the history Of the automobile Is
written 1896 will be marked as the year
in which the American-bult car became
the equal Of any produced in foreign
countries
The following resume Of the automobile
business in Washington during the year
appears in Motor Age:
"A year Of unparalleled prosperity has
been the portion Of the motor car dealers
Of Washington during the past twelve
month. The report all along the line is
that business has shown a very percepti-
bic increase, both in volume and in
quality. some dealers saying the increase
in their sales department is from one
third TO one-half larger than it was last
year
Through the courtesy Of H. VI. Wood
ward the District permit clerk, Motor
Age has been furnished with the number
OF cars registered from January 10 date.
The number is 513 cars Of al kinds, and
It is safe TO say that more than 30 per
cent Of this number are new ones sold
this year. In addition to this a number
Of dealers have sold cars for delivery
outside Of Washington, for which regis
tration numbers were not required here
From various sources IL is learned that
the number Of such sales is approx
mately twenty-five. Il is thus safe TO
say that more than 800 cars have been
sold by Washington dealers during the
year This Is a record never before ap-
preached by the local trade
The prospects for 1907 are very bright,
and with increased facilities and posi-
tive assurances from the various manu-
factUrers that deliveries Of 1907 cars viii
be prompt the local trade is looking at
the situation through rose-colored glasses.
In keeping with the increased demand
for cars is .he proportionate increase IN
the volume Of sales OF sundries and &C
cessories.
Automobiles who have done any
amount Of touring have frequently Won
dered why some method Of designating
towns and cities has never been adopted
by municipal authorities.
Some few months ago the suggestion
was advanced that perhaps the Post-of-
flee Department might be induced 10 put
the names Of the towns on its post-ofiice
buildings In various places, but so far as
is known nothing has ever been done in
this direction. With characteristic Brit
ish thorOughness the English Automobile
Association has taken this matter up in
the island. and II IS the intention OF the
officers Of that organization 10 TX
namepIate on the first and last buildings
in all towns and villages throughout the
kingdom, in order that motorists, as we'll
as other travellers. may learn the name
Of a town or village as soon as they
come 10 Il. Il would seem that this is
an idea which might be seriously con
sidered by the various State associations
VI
The fifth annual speed contests on the
Ormond-Daytona Beach, Fla, are only 4
few days of. The fact that the
speed accomplished on the famous Florida
beach viii be almost twice as fast as
that Of the ordinary road or track IS
sufficient to cause automobIists TO jour
ney long distances TO see the annual
record breaking contests.
Some Of the American manufacturers
that bravely faced the starter in the Van
derbiIt Cup race will not be seen IN
Florida this winter. They found that
their cars were not right for a hard race.
such as the Long Island one; SO the dis
appointment and loss Of time and money
persuaded them that they had enough Of
racing for the time being.
Some Of the cars, however, viii IN
doubtedly be seen In Florida. and the only
alteration in them will be a change In
gear. as the Florida coast. being so fast
necessitates a higher gear for record
work
Many guesses have been made as TO the
time that will be made for the mile and
the 100 mile, respectively. Bets have been
made that the mile will be done in the
even time OF y SeCOnUS ana lIlS 4Oo 4ll4Lt
In the even 60 minutes. 1t IS a remark
able fact that the mile record has been
beaten every year in Florida. It started
| in 1903. and last winter the worlds record
was placed at Is Is seconds.
Charles T. Glidden, who passed through
Washington on his long tour, Will spend
/ New Years In Mexico. Word was re-
ceived Saturday that he and MS party
/ had crossed the frontier Friday, and
| proceeded toward Mexico City via the
4 line of the Mexican National Railroad
/ tracks. The world-famous mOtOTist eX-
/ pected to bring his automobile mileage