Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-22
by ED MORIARTY

zling briliancy, festoons of California
flowers, sheltering and flowing from
cozy booths; Venetian and Hawaiian
music in abundance; an attendance
exceeding the fondest hopes of auto
mobile dealers; the promoters them
| selves well satisfied: last, but not least
a beautiful and effective array of ma
chimes, and you have the opening night
of Los Angeles first automobile show
1t is an event to be proud of, and
admiration ran limitless when Mayor
A. c. Harper touched an electric switch
which placed the initial Angel city
venture on record. Automobile week
! has dawned with such a spectacular
! effect that Morley's skating establish
ment will surely be taxed to its ca
pacity throughout the week.
Eastern Manufacturer Surprised
An expression heard on one of the
homecoming cars last night voiced
sentiment which existed when the
| elaborateness of the show was made
manifest The remark came from an
eastern automobile manufacturer of
national reputation.
SAY, did you think they could ever
do anything like this out here?"
Angelenos, however, while brimful of
delight, appeared to take their surprise
much as a matter of fact. Nothing of
recent years has seemed too great for
Los Angeles, and the crowd last night
moved in and out among the handsome
exhibits as though they were expert
enced visitors at such an event.
Dealers themselves were probably
surprised when Mayor Harper set the
exhibition in motion. AS the flood of
electricity showered down a veritable
fairyland was in evidence. What, with
the maze of flowers and festoonS show
ing brilliant under the powerful light.
with visions of great automobiles ris-
ing amidst them, it was small Won
der that one was willing to remain
quiet for the moment and take bear
ings.
Long before opening time approaches
to the show room were taxed. Auto
mobiles whizzed in numbers along the
carefully prepared streets leading to
the doors. Electric cars brought more
and by o'clock the aisles were packed
with an eager crowd.
Walter Hempel introduced Mayor
Harper, who responded by touching
switch in the band alcove. Almost
shout of delight was in order. A few
lights dimly burning had previously
lent shadowy effect. Mayor Harper
lowered these and then turned the
great auditorium to daylight as thou
sands of incandescents sprang into
life.
Before the mayor could retire cries
of "Speech!" wehe heard. His honor
was agreeable and spoke as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen: This is
beautiful indeed. 1 have been asked
here this evening by Mr.. Morley and
the management to open an automobile
show. Judging from the action taken
by the city council. whose meeting J.
attended this afternoon. this is also
to be an exhibition of dry goods.
81 remember some twenty years ago
when as a boy l went to school in a
wooden structure up the street. Our
teacher was a long, lean, lank man
from Maine, who taught us with a
raWhide. 1 remember he often said:
Some day-I may not live to see it
wagons and carriages will move about
horses. They will be propelled by an
engine, electricity or some other force
You will all see the day.
Il am reminded of this by the mag
nificent display of automobiles here
| tonight, the largest, l understand, ever
made west of Chicago. 1t is certainly
a great thing, but Los Angeles is used
| to doing great InlnSS. w t SIlOulu pe
proud of such an exhibition.
eve should be proud that Los An
geles can give such a show, and muct
praise is due Mr.. Morley and the mer
| who promoted it. We are not sur
prised when this city does large
things, for it is destined in time tC
be the greatest place west of Chicago
Make yourselves at home"
Decorations Artistic
A general inspection was in orde
when Mayor Harper had concluded
There was much to be seen and lin
gering long at one booth meant de
sire to tarry longer. 1t was readily t
be seen that dealers had Wed wei
with one another in an effort TO attain
decorative effectiveness.
AS a result the automobile show no
only evidences horseless wagon perfec
tion, but the added beauty of artist
bent. a first impression is one of ligh
and flowers, with realization OF tn
automobiles coming after.
So cleverly have the many booth
been arranged that commercial idea
entirely lacking. Suggestion of hors
show with merely pride winning as TN
incentive was uppermost last night
Perfectly willing and anxious are eX
hibitors and their assistants to eX
plain the various intricacies, but sales
room features are by the board.
The affair Is an exhibition whic
must appeal strongly to the averag
person whether he be on purchase ben
or inquisitively. inclined, Instructiv
to a degree are many Of the exhibit
where engines and locomotive portion
of the cars are placed open for inspec
} tion.
Any number of novel effects hav
been attained in manner calculate
to show relative connections of tn
: complicated parts and so simple al
they that small actual knowledge {
' automobile construction is necessary.
Social to a degree was the openin
last night Somberly clad in evenin
9 dress the exhibitors not only stake
proudly about their own booths br
exchanged visits and compliments
) a most Quakerly manner. Everyon
: was anxious to tell the other how grea
/. was his special display and received tn
: comeback with fitting grace.
So tickled were the promoters tina
ii was small wonder the public fe
: warmth of a pleasing reception. N
> one strolled around that did not eXperi