Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-07
MANY AT AUTO SHOW
STUDYING PRACTICAL SIDE OF
HoRsELEss VEHICLES.

The second day OF the automobile show
in the armory of the Washington Light
Infantry, 18th and E streets, was marked
by an attendance that included senators
and representatives, governors and officials
officers of the army and navy and members
of the diplomatic corps. Interest in the
varied exhibits of the auto world is still
at high-water mark. and the throng of Wis
itors last evening found much that was
both instructive and entertaining.
The matinee exhibition yesterday after
noon was also we'll attended and the Wis
itors were given ample opportunity to study
the practical side of the horseless vehicles
and to observe the wonderful strides that
have been made toward automobile per-
lection since the show of 1905. One Of the
features of the show is the demonstration
of several autos in the Open Representa-
tives of the manufacturers have cars sta=
toned at 18th and E streets and those in
terested are given free ride through the
White Lot or down by the Washington
monument. While enjoying the spin dem
onstrator describes the mechanism and good
points Of the car In USE.
On exhibition at the show are machines
that can travel faster than railroad train.
machines for luxury and comfort that equal
the magnificence Of a parlor car, machines
that can suit the requirements of the most
fastidious. There are automobiles that can
carry dozen persons with comfort, vehi-
cles of almost every description and style
are IN the lists.
Not the least entertaining feature of the
show is the buffet or "cozy corner" of the
Washington Automobile Club. This Is In
charge of members of the organization, and
good cheer Is nightly dispensed to the
friends of the "whizzers." as the clubmen
are termed.
The patrons of the show are nightly re-
called with mineral water, which Is served
free.
The display of motor boats of all kinds
is another feature of the show.
Hill Climbing Contest.
The representatives of the Maxwell Auto
mobile Company, Messrs. John R. Thomas
and George K. Helbert, held a hill climbing
contest this morning on the % per cent
street grade at 35th and NJ streets, with
Mr.. Arthur Norwood. the representative of
the Lambert car. On account of the good
natured rivalry which had arisen at the
local auto show as to the merits Of each
car the local Maxwell people challenged
the representatives of the Lambert car to
test of their respective machines. The
hill mentioned is so step that 1t seemed to
be an impossfbility to run machine up the
grade. 1t was arranged that both cars
should start from the opposite side of the
street and race up the hill with four pas
sengers aboard. Mr.. John r. Thomas was
the chauffeur of the Maxwell car and Mr..
Norwood was at the helm In the Lambert
car.
When the signal for the start was given
both of the cars started on the ascent with
the Maxwell slightly in the lead. When
half way up the Maxwell car drew away
from the Lambert and the latter stopped.
The Maxwell. ran to the top of the ascent
and then went down to the bottom, and
a moment later Mr.. Thomas ran it entirely
up the hill backward. Mr.. Norwood at
tempted to run the Lambert car up the
hill again. but in the attempt the gear be-
came injured and the ear backed into an
obstruction. badly injuring the rear axle,
which compelled the cessation of the tests.
The Maxwell runabout was then sent up
the hill loaded with four persons, as was
the large Maxwell car loaded with nine
persons.