Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23

of monkey business and gets caught. A
dog is smart, but has not learned to judge
speed, and is surprised by the rate at
which automobile travels He thinks he
can run out across its path and bark at
il as he is used to doing with horses. The
next generation of dogs will probably be
wiser to the game. A cat makes some
fool move, but can dodge like lightning.
A COW is stupid but is big enough to be
safe. Our horses are gradually becoming
accustomed to automobiles. and l have no.
ticed that in their behavior when meeting
automobiles a whole lot depends on the
driver. 1 think the average farmer is
willing to meet the automobilists halfway
in the use of the roads.
AS result of the European trip of Will
liam X. Vanderbilt jr.. who sailed from
New York December Is, the rules of the
next Vanderbilt cup race here may be
modified. Part of his errand abroad is to
consult with the foreign clubs on the
subject.
-
When the mercury is looking upward to
see the zero mark the desire to scorch
seems more pardonable.
In the building of special automobile
highways this country has stolen march
on the elder automobiles of Europe, and
with the natural developments of such in
situations it seems probable that in another
wear the National body here, the American
Automobile Association. will be more pow
erful and influential than any other in the
world.
X
Under the incoming new administration
the executive offices of the president. secre-
of "a
mobile Association will be in New York.
Approaching the interest taken in auto
mobile shows abroad, as well in America
and considering that the licensed show to
be held in Madison Square Garden in
January will not be merely club affair
or first night for beginners, but an ex-
hibition of international Importance, the
show committee has taken upon itself a
task said to be without precedent Elab-
crate invitations have been prepared for
the crowned heads of Europe. all of whom
are patrons of the industry in most sub
Stantial way, and are largely responsible
for 1.-The king of sport and the sport II
kings being q fact. A special committee
has been directed to extend these invita-
tons to the SovereignS through their ambaS-
sailors at Washington. In addition to the
invitations to the royal heads. other in
vitations will be extended to the ambassa-
doris.
x
One after another important improve
ments have to wait until the designers
get around to them but since for years
it has been shown to be practical by a
make recognized by all as a leader. it
seems strange that more designers do not
do away with the gear changing lever at
the side. Many accident has resulted
from the necessity of the driver removing
his eyes from the road and one hand from
the wheel in order to Shift the speed lever
a. the side.
X
A campaign for federal law requiring
uniformity in state statutes regula ting the
registration and use of automobiles will be
the chief policy of the American Automo-
bile Association in 1907 This is a con-
summation that has been desired by all
motorists. and one that should receive more
hearty commentator and more general
support than anything else the national
body could undertake.
\
By the devious eXpedients to which sew
eral of the entrants for the last Vanderbilt
cup race had to resort in order to pass
at the weighing in. it was forcefulIy indl-
the high-powered racers now being built
Almost every car had to be trimmed tc
the utmost permissible in order to pass
and some had hard time of it. 1t Is prob.
able the American Automobile Association
would readily agree to an increase of the
weight limit if the foreign clubs were will
ing, but concerted action is essential Thi.
is matter that may be taken up at the in
ternational conference Ct clubs soon to BIZ
held at Paris.
1t is said to be certainty that bill will
be introduced in the Florida legislator
next winter providing for the utilization o.
prison labor of the state in road building
There is no state in the Union that gooC
roads means so much to as ii does to Flor
ida. and it would mean that the state would
each winter become a great driving ground
for Automobiles and the drivers of horses
Gov Napoleon B. Broward Of Florida write.