New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-22
THE CORNERSTONE LAID
Fitting Rites at NerU Home of AUTO
mobile Club of america.

The laying Of the cornerstone Of the new home
Of the Automobile Club Of America took place yes
terday afternoon. The clubhouse IS being built
the north side Of 54th street, between Broadway
and Eighth a good sized crowd Of club
members and their friends was present The cere-
monies were simple and brief, lasting only twenty
minutes
The members Of the club were invited to attend
the ceremonies in automobiles, but owing to the
cold weather not more than seven automobiles were
lined up in front OF the new structure A r. Shat
tuck was the first arrive, and few minutes
later Dave Hennen Morris. president Of the club
accompanied by Winthrop T. Scarritt, former
president and Samuel NJ Butler. secretary, drove
up in an automobile. Among others present were
jefferson de Mont Thompson, chairman Of the
ing board Of the American Automobile Association;
s w. Taylor General George Moore Smith, Emer-
son Brooks, S. B. Bowman, Colgate Hoyt, George
F. Chamberlain, Frank overland. W. W Niles and
Ward Chamberlain.
The ceremonies began at 43O O'Clock, President
Morris making a short address He called atten-
ton to the growth Of the club and emphasized the
statement that II had something than a social
side, and that the building would stand Is a monu-
ment not only to sport but to the advancement of
a growing industry
DR.. Schuyler Skaats Wheeler, chairman Of the
building committee, then laid the stone. using a
silver troweI He said in part:
The ceremony to-day symbolizes much mora than
the construction of ordinary building Ii Stands
for the erection Of a structure having many feat-
the horseless vehicle, its safe keeping, the i'm
pLoVelleht or many branches of the mechanical
arts, the making Of accurate tests and measure
| ments. and TO serve as headquarters from which
may D7 GGaGHcIed the work of improving the
These plans have not been produced without the
careful thought and work Of many members of the
club and We all hope to the end sought for well
accomplished.
As evidence for future generations, the following
articles were incIosed in a copper box inside the
cornerstone as best showing the status to-day OF
the art and the sport Of automobiIing:
a orlet history Of the club. by George r. Cham
OeIHh' the CLUB book the club badge, the present
autononiIe laws Of all the states, maps showing
good roads. published by the club for the lisa ~
It's members a model Of an automobile a rair NJ
touring goggles. a statement of aerial fights bv
the Wright brothers, the proof sheets Of ..77,raa
Men IN Motor Car" by W. E. Scarritt ex-presi-
dent dedicated 10 the club; a propbecv- .o1,ra
Future of the Automobile" by Albert r. sbat+Dcz
an ex-presdent; a book entitled "A Journe,,
Through Other Worlds, Romance Of the Future %
by Colonel John Jacob Astor; current numbers Of
the automobile trade journals. the silver coins of
the United States and the daily newspapers Of
New York City Of yesterdays date
A R. shattuck spoke next in the words Of
prophet. lie said:
In the Bible are found the following words. .oTba
chauotS shall rage in the streets, they shall 1oste
seem like torches they shall like the light
Lfhs55. one hundred years ago who then dreamed
dGcedE The wonders Of electricity? The wonders
In this age the telegraph is giving place to the
telephone and to wireless teegraphy, the cODound
steam engine 10 the turbine engine. the horse to
the automobile. Assuming make as much prog
leSS cach decade 10 come as each decade passed
who can say this prophecy will not true?
The traffic Of the world viii be carried on broad
dustless highways by the automobile The railway
VIII fan into dlsuse, its cost viii be wealth lost
There viii remain but "a right Of way and streaks
Of rust
The automobile IN its turn VIII disappear. 10 be
replaced by the flying machine, and our chldren's
children viii wonder why their fOrefathers crent
along dusty roads harasSed by speed laws as they
shoot through the air, even to other stars and saw
with Emerson, Hitch your wagon to a STAR
The ceremonies were closed with a short PRAYER
by the Rev. ". Merle Smith, Of the Central Pres
byterian Church
The building will be 131 front by eight stories
high, with front Of granite, white brick and terra
Gotta, the upper portion being of glass as nearly
az possible.
The street level floor reached by large entrance
and separate exit for cars. will serve as an inn
foyer, in which many oars can assemble
electric elevators of the largest size. The cars
a rule, Will be stored in and lanes but spaces
desired by members Will be partiCOned of with
iron grilIs for individual use.
The top floor, made exceptionally light by sky
lights viii be fitted up 6 model repair shop un-
cially Interested in engineering matters and win
contain the club dynamOmeter designed for neasur-
ing the power and the efficiency OF under all
conditions.
Special amusement rooms and other accommoda-
tiOus provided for chauheurs. The building
throughout viii be reinforced concrete COnstruc-
ton and the Of gasolene VIII be outside OF
the building.