New-York tribune., 1907-12-29
TIMELY AUTO TOPICS.
Value OF TAIL LAMP.
Recent Mrention Informs Moto7st
When LIGHT Is Out.

The various automobile laws throughout the
United States, matter how widely they diner
unite iii mandatory particular. This is that
a tail lamp shall light up the license number ana
show red danger signal. Nine times out of ten
the victim of arrest for the violation of this tai
lamp feature of automobile law is innocent of
wrongdong. inaSmuch 1t is usually found that
the tail lamp either blown out by the exhaust
or the strong draft that rises behind the car
when motion. A tail lamp, known as the
Telltale tail lamp is being marketed by the Royal
Battery Company of No. 10S Duane street, by the
use of which the motorist Immediately knows if.
for any reason, the light goes out. This tail lamp
is electric, and the outfit consists of a four-volt
storage battery, electric lamp. a governor and
the telltale bell buzzer Once connected up, the
teltae bell buzzer rings If the wire running TO
the tail lamp breaks or gets damaged.
The American branch of the Maja Company Lin
tied, has been busy during the last weeks
ceivng from abroad number of these COM
ing in German and Atlantic Transport steam
crs which have arrived within the last ten days
The work of preparing these for the show has been
exactins that a number of would-be purchasers
who have visited the headquarters of the Maja
have been asked TO wait until the coming automo
bile salon to receive their demonstrations.
Although the Dragon Motor Company (Which
ceeds the Dragon Automobile Company, of Phha-
delphia) formed several weeks ago, it was not
until Christmas week that it took complete charge
of the plant at 3lst and Chestnut streets i'll that
city. The president. J. Edward Calhoun, is
now at the helm in the Philadelphia headquarters.
while r. q. Kelsey has found his desk there, in
charge of the manufacturing end of the business.
He is assisted by John O'Brien, who continues
superintendent of construction.
Requests for demonstrations of 1908 cars continue
despite the holidays, and everything points TO a
good retail business during the winter. The Harry
S. Houpt Company has a long LIST of demonstra-
tions booked for its Thomas cars. and the new
models in demand every hour of the day
Buyers paying particular attention lmousines
and town cars although the Thomas Detroit five
passenger touring car continues popular leader in
the trade.
News of a cross country trip from Medicine Hat.
Alberta. Canada. to San Francisco and return in
Franklin six-cylnder was received at the Franklin
factory in Syracuse recently. The owner of the
ia J. l.. Peacock. who owns a ranch at Medi
cine Hat There were six guests with him on the
trip. One of these. T. B. Jenknson. a son Of Sir
George Jenkinson, is also the owner of stX-cyln-
der Franklin and was so enthused the
that he Immediately followed il with similar one
TO Los Angeles. The trip, covering approximately
twelve hundred miles. made in about seven
days and was without mishap other than running
into a deep hole in attempting to ford stream.
The leading dealers Of the city again being
strongly urged to combine and hold automobile
show in the spring. It does not take much knowl-
edge of the show phase of the motor car industry
to know that unless good cause is shown that such
an exhibition is opportune and wished for by the
public IL will fall fat. Shows as they havA been
run everybody in touch knows. have been con-
slant drain TO the retailers. 1t is not quite clear
vet whether the legitimate and established dealers
in New York will concentrate upon plan Of ac
ton but the feeling Is fairly unanimous upon one
point and that IS II show is 30 be held in
this CITY before the season Of 1905 is in full swing It
will be run according the dictates OF the exhib-
itors and not according TO the whm of any chance
promoter Sounded on the prospects OF a spring