The San Francisco call., 1906-08-19
= Az FRANCIsCANs are rapidly

= AN FRANCISCANS are rapidly
reaching that state of mind
- which tits said the Parisians ar
rived at several years ago when they
had to have automobiles even at the
sacrifice Of some of the actual neces-
sites of life. Persons who have none
are planning the ways and means to
acquire them and, perhaps what is
more serious, the way to keep one.
There are many expert chauffeurs
among the men who own their own
rachines, but so far the number of
society women who drive their own
cars IS not very great, and the fair
motorists are still objects Of interest,
Of envy perhaps, and often OF ap-
prehension to the wayfaring man who
does not realize their skill and fears
dire results. As d matter of fact there
are fewer automobile accidents, even
in proportion TO their number, among
the cars operated by women than
among those driven by men. Women
are more cautious and take the matter
more seriously Men are accustomed
TO doing mighty deeds, or think they
are which amounts 10 practically the
same thing as far as they are con-
cerned, so when they once grasp the
art Of motoring they take il more as
matter of course and let their minds
go TO other questions. With a woman
it is another thing. Having been
taught, either by inference or precept,
from childhood's early hours, that
they cannot understand machinery,
that they are-iiable to panic in mo-
merits Of excitement and lack pres
ence of mind in a crisis and that they
are not physically capable of doing
anything much, they begin to be-
lieve It, and when they actually find
themselves at the wheel of an auto
mobile and realize that the lives of
the inmates of the car depend ,on
their individual efforts, they are
overwhelmed with a delightful sense
Of responsibility The sensation is
so novel that it charms quite as much
as the actual motoring. 1t must be
done with care and attention is paid
to every detail; the feminine mind
wanders not from the road ahead;
the least unusual or unseemly click
or whir is heard and noted, and if
the nervous strain prove not TO
much, the woman is a model motorist.
Miss Hager at the Helm.
Miss Ethel Hager was one of the
first society women of San Francisco
to drive her own machine, and she
was remarkably successful. In her
big touring car she personally con-
Quoted" any number of her friends
here and to nearby towns. making
the trip to San Jose or Del Monte
often. On one OF these occasions
Miss Hager broke her arm while
she has given less time to the pursuit
than formerly Miss Sara Drum
was another to begin personal
motoring early in the automobile
period and has for some years been
an enthusiast on the subject. Mrs.
Ned Dimond is an expert and may
be seen in her big machine early and
late in fair weather or foul At the
time Of the disaster here Mrs. Di-
mond was on her way to Europe with
her automobile for a tour Of France,
but she returned at once from New
York, put her services and the use
of her automobile at Mrs. Merrills
disposal and for some weeks was a
valuable aid in the work OF the local
Red Cross. Even now e does
much charitable work in the matter
OF rehabilitation and her ability TO
drive her car is of inestimable value
Mrs. VIII Taylor and her sisters,
Mrs. Gus Tailor and Mrs. Frederick
McNear, are as capable as profes-
sional chauffeurs, their father. E. w.
Hopkins, being such an enthusiast
that he has had has daughter, thor
oughly instructed in automobiling.
Mr.. Hopkins and the members of his
family make trips each week TO one
resort or another in different parts
OF the State. and it is said that he
and they. shssA a knowledge Of the
automobile virtues OF the reads and
interior countrysztilst Is Unsurpassed.
Miss Eyre'S Touring Car.
Miss Mary Eyre has biz touring