Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-16
AUTOMOBILE GOSSIP
Turned Into a Convenience

Turned Into Convenience
What was meant for a safety device,
pure and simple, when it was grst in
fence as well by a. number of Thomas
owners and drivers. This is the ratchet
and pawl back-stop device on the rear
hubs, which prevents the car backing
down hill when it is brought to a stand
still while ascending grade 1t does
not take the average driver long to find
out however, that this device may be
used at other times than during an
emergency. AS a consequence, 1t is a
common custom for them to throw the
pawl into contact on even the slightest
of grades since, should it be desirable to
stop, 1T is not necessary to use the
brakes.
This device would be particularly desir-
able for use in California, where numer-
Gus machines have been destroyed and
several people killed by backing off of
precipices on mountain roads when
brakes and gears failed to work.
Interstate Licenses
The law committee of the New York
Automobile club formerly the City and
Country Motor club, which consists of
M. Grossman, William Grossman, and
De Witt Clinton Morrell, is now consid
ering the question of interstate licenses
for automobiles, and will report to the
directors of the club a bill which it will
be the aim of the club to have adopted
by different States, having as its aim
interstate agreement by which automo-
biles registered in one State may be Ii
censed in other States for short length
of time without the payment of extra
fees to the authorities of the State
through which the tourist is passing.
One of the great objections to ordi-
nary long-distance touring is that a pro-
cesson of tourists through a number of
States is a succession of changes of num-
Der plates and the payment of fees to,
different municipal and State authorities
for the privileges of the road. The New
York automobile club hopes it will be
able to secure some mitigation of this
condition in favor of the users of motor
cars. 1t is probable that an effort will
be made to induce other automobile clubs
and Bodies to aid in fostering this move
ment.
Plan Big Races
There will be five big automobile races
in Europe during the coming season. OF
which the Grand Prix is the longest and
most important. In this event the con-
testants must cover 500 miles in one day.
The Sporting Commission Cup race will
be run at the same time as the Grand
Prix and the distance will be 300 miles,
to be run in one day. The Ardennes cir
cult is to be run on short circuit. the
entire distance being 375 miles, which
much be completed in eight hours. The
great German event will be for the EN-
peror's cup. and will be 800 miles long.
In Italy the Targa Florio will be run
three times over a circuit of "a miles, |
making a total of 2S2 miles.
Unique Automobile
The most unique equipage seen on the
boulevards of Chicago, and one which at
tracts the attention of the observer, is |
the automobile used by Charles A. Coey |
as his private car. The motor is of the |
usual sixty-horse power Thomas Flyer
type. but it is in the body and impedi-
menta carried that Mr. Coey has allowed
his imagination to run riot
The car is painted pure white with
stripping of gold. with a gold mon |
ogram of the owners name on each door
The leather upholstery is white kid. |
The ceiling is sky blue with fleecy |
clouds, stars and full, round
faced moon, the moon and the stars being |
made to shine by means of electric lights. |
over each door is a small sign, Exit,
while a red globe electric lamp carries
out the idea of complying with the Chi |
cago fire ordinance requiring red light |
at all exits of theaters. Two clocks keep |
check on each other for the correct time,
while a mirror and complete toilet outfit
are on the wall An electric signal tells
the driver to go ahead, turn, go home,
go slow or fast. The car seats four COM
and a meal can be served on the
small table, the provisions being carried
in a buffet fastened to the running board
Of the car.
This car has been used by Mr.. Coey to
escort distinguished visitors around Chi
cago, and men and women great or
famous in their various walks of life have
ridden in it, The logbook carried con-
tains the names of persons who are
known throughout the civilized world
During the last month the list comprises
among others the names of Charles War
rem Fairbanks, vice president of the
United States; William Randolph Hearst
Senator Benjamin Tillman, Mrs. Florence
and Kid Herman, the prize
fighter.