The Washington times., 1906-02-06

II anyone had any doubts about Wash
ington's automobile enthusiasm, a visit
to the SIKH annual automobile show,
which opened last night in the Light
Infantry Armory, would have dispelled
them.
Beautified with bright-coIored decora-
tions and thousands Of electric lamps.
and with admiTing thTongs Of people
filing the aisles around the various
booths, where automobiles and acces-
sories OF almost every type were to be
seen, the interior of the armory pre-
sented a brilliant and animated scene.
The scheme of decoration, carried cut
at considerable expense. met with uni
Versal cOmmendation. Everywhere cleo
trio bulbs and clusters are arranged to
give the building such a flood or light
as has not been seen at any other show.
Many exhibitors, having in mind the
comfort OF their guests, provided their
booths with easy chairs. where the
weary could rest after the dizzy round
Of the han.
Best Show Yet.
In size Of its exhibits, in magnitude Of
its representation Of the Industrial in
terests Of the automobile and it's acces-
sories. and a record breaking attend
ance-these are some of the points in
which the present show far exceeded all
predecessors. The crowd came early and
stayed late. for there was so much Of
interest TO see that Haley's orchestra
was playing Home, Sweet Home" be-
fore many visitors could inspect all the
different exhibits
Within quarter of an hour after the
doors We're opened the armory was filled.
At 3 O'Clock a stream was still forcing
F74n hon
stu denseT. 1t was a good natured. folly
crowd, laughing and joking and evident
" enjoying itself. The reception room
maintained by the Automobiie Club of
Washington proved to be the popular
feature. The room IS located Just to the
right OF the main entrance and is decor
ated with flags, bunting and electric
lights Mission furniture is scattered
about, af1ordtng an ideal resting place
where one could smoke and talk automo-
blles 10 his heart 5 content. Secretary
Mark and other officers of the club were
on hand early and saw that the members
and their friends We're we'll provided for
Similarity of Design.
Taking the show as a whole, the first
impression is of similarity OF demand
and design; the different exhibits run
closely on the same lines in engines and
body types. and there is at least a super
fetal semblance of uniformity through
out 1t goes without saying that s., 600
VIII not purchase the same car as 5000
or $500; but at the same time the great
difference tn the style and appearance OF
tie two grades, conspicuous at a glanCe
9 few years ago has largely dlsap-
peared, and the general impression is of
uniformly high quality. The man who
has considerably less than a thousand
dollars to spend on his first runabout
can set much more for his money to-
day than ever before, while the moder-
ate price / touring car shows Up In great
s. ape.
I've years ago the cape top and sim
lar coverings were incidental luXuFies TO
which many drivers did not aspire, while
the complete Limousine was found in only
the most costly makes. Today the same
STYLES are shown in the comparatively
lOw-priCed cars, and with no sacrifice
OF essentials 70 make up the difference.
II is interesting to note that as the de-
mdnd Of the automobilist Of moderate
means has grown with his appreciation
of what IS mechanically possible and
practically desirable, it has been met by
the leading American makers.
Improved Construction.
4 critical inspection Of the 1906 models
reveals the fact that the main work of
the designers and builders has been di-
Tected 10 the improvements and refine
ments OF existing constructive details.
These improvements can be broadly
classified under three headings; First.
the outside appearance; second, the con-
troll of the car, and third, the simpIih-
cation OF parts. These are the three
principal points which come under the
observation of the intending buyer. The
first induCement he has for buying a car
IS the pleasing outside appearance. The
second one is the simplicity or handling
a car and the third one the absence of
too much complication.
The Carbureter has been rightly term
ed the heart OF the automobile and
TO the prevention Of heart failure
the makers of cars and parts have de-
voted much thought in the past year
standard earbureter, as indicated by
the general practice shown on cars ex-
hibited at this show. has float feed.
nozzle In center Of float chamber.
needle-valve adjustment on the gaso-
lene feed, and an automatic attachment
the motor. regardless Of speed or po-
sition of throttle Manufacturers are
realizing more and more the neces-
sity OF a gasolene strainer attachment
TO the carbureter, and many now have
a satisfactory device for this purpose
Simpler Ignition Systems.
This years tendencies in ignition sys-
TENS show marked Improvement both
in jump spark and make-and-brea de-
signs. Simplicity and reliability are.
Cf course, the features of the best de-
St6Aia AiNA z - NNA AAtNAS uEN 10 bc
seen In the field of water cooling. /
There are. of course. many new shapes
and designs Of radiators, but the gen /
eraI makeup is the same as q year
ago.
A study of the brake question shows
clearly that the manufacturers realize
that it is as important TO stop a car
as il is 10 start one. This improve
ment is undoubtedly the result of per
sistent demands from spectacular dTiv-
ers, who want TO stop, quickly, and
careful drivers. who only use brakes
when absolutely necessary, but when
they do want them they want them
badly.
Proba bly, no other single branch of /
the automobile shows more decided
fmproNement than does the body or
The Man of Limited Income j