The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-12-12
GREAT AUTO SPEEDWAY
Sixty Mile Road Proposed For
Long Island.
WILL HAVE NO GRADE CROSSINGS

0~AA6 AoAdAA0s
WILL HAVE NO GRADE CROSSINGS
Race Projectors VIII BE For All
Who Pay Toll-Inns and Garages to
BE Established Along the Route.
VIII Cost %, 100000.
Automobiles Of New York and it's
vicinity are to have a speedway Of
their W on Long Island in the near
future, says the New York Times. The
exact course has not yet been determin-
ed upon, but it is settled hat it will
he sixty miles long and will probably
start from somewhere zeal the eastern
end Of the Blackwell's island bridge
and run along the north side Of the is
land.
1t is to be a real highway, following
the natural grades and turns of the
surface as a regular road does. but it
IL to be kept entirely free from all but
automobile traffic. 1t will run along a
private right of way and will be Sc.
curely fenced off. Races will lie pos
sible without the danger to life and
limb which decided the Vanderbilt cup
committee never again to use the
course on the ordinary roads. There
are to be no grade crossings. sufficient
width Is to be allowed to make passing
In safety possible with reasonable care,
and the danger from pedestrians and
slow moving traffic will be nonexistent.
Although the speedway Is to belong
to a private corporation. 1t will he open
to all pleasure motors. Access will be
given to it through tollgates placed at
convenient intervals to allow com-
munication with the public highways.
At each tollgate will be established an
inn OF the plan Of the comfortable
hostelries Of England. where automo-
bilists will be able to obtain refresh.
ments. To each inn a garage will be
attached. where gasoline tanks and
storage batteries may be charged and
repairs affected. Moreover, the garages
will be equipped with oil sprinkling
and road repairing outfits, SO that the
track may be kept in the most perfect
condition.
Engineers under the direction of
Ralph Peters, president Of the Long
Island railroad, will begin to survey
the probable route Immediately, and
Dean Alvord, who has large holdings
Of Long Island real estate. is looking
after the right Of way. Probably it
will be necessary to 60 to Albany to
obtain legislation to establish the speed
way, but no serious opposition is ex-
pected. Many landowners have ex.
pressed a desire to have the route
through their property and will make
the acquisition Of the right of way
easy.
To build the course 100000 Is nee
essary. but Of this 100000 has been
already subscribed, and It Is believed
that all the stock Of the company
formed to construct 1t will be under
written very shortly. W. X. Wander,
btlt. Jr., Is the president, and a plan
and scope committee has been formed,
consisting Of Mr.. Vanderbilt as chair
man, Ralph Peters, A. r. %Pardington.
Jefferson De Mont Thompson, Dean
Afford and David Hennen Morris, pres
ident Of the Automobile Club OF Amer
lea.
A meeting was held a few days ago
at the Lawyers club. In New York, to
launch the scheme. Those present
were August Belmont, W. X. Wander
bilt. Jr., Ralph Peters, l.. G. Weir, pres.
ident Of the Adams Express company;
Commodore T. G. Bourne. Colgate
l1oyt. Jefferson De Mont Thompson,
II. K. Rurras. Anton g. Hodenyl. A.
Il. FardingtOn and David Hennen Nor
ris. The following were unable to be
present. but sent to express their ap-
probation Of the plan and promised to
serve as ~incorporatOrs and directors:
Harry Payne Whitney. Clarence II.
Mackay. f. Russell Thomas, ". J.
Matheson and John Farson.
At a subsequent meeting OF the
scope and plan committee Mr.. Van
dcrbilt reported that he had already
received promises Of 100000 out Of
the $c.000.oOO required. Mr.. rarding-
ton stated that two manufacturers had
subscribed $1,000 apiece and that one
Of them would increase this if neces-
sary. Work will be begun upon the
speedway at the earliest possible mo-
ment. but 1t will not be ready for use
for some months to come.