The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-07
MOTOR PUFTS

Contrary to the prophesies made
by automobile men several years ago,
the demand for r%unabouts is on the
increase. Men have begun to realize
that a large touring car is too ex-
pensive a proposition to be used for
business purposes, and with only one
or two passengers to be carried. The
-Briscoe Motor Company re-
ports that the demand for r~unabouts is
as great as at the beginning OF the
season. The public appreciates that a
standard of design has been reached
and does not put off buying with the
idea that 1908 will bring out some
thing radically different.
AS a further Indication that the
motor vehicle is replacing the horse
for commercial uses, 1t is interesting
to note that the Coal & Iron Com
pany of Pottsville. Pa, is adopting
automobiles to carry the min bosses
on their tours Of inspection. Among
the cars that are being Investigated
and are looked upon with the most
favor are shaft-driven gasoline run
abouts of from 16 to 20 horsepower.
The Reading officials have already
placed an order with the Maxwell
Briscoe Motor Company for two Of
their 16-horsepower cars converted
Into r%unabouts. This order is in the
nature of an experiment. owl the
cars are satisfactory, the company
will probably place additional orders
for eighteen cars, as they intend FUR
nishing the district superintendent and
the mechanical force with automobiles.
AT the present time some of the sub
ordinate officials travel from colliery
to c~ol1iery by mule power, and the
time wasted in travelling is so consid-
erable hat they have come to regard
the automobile as a necessary adjunct
to their business. In the event of the
company providing automobiles in the
place of horse-drawn vehicles, a much
better system of highways is sure to
result. The roads around the collieries
are so poor at the present time that
in bad weather they are well-nigh
impossible.
After his arduous labors in conducting
the fourth annual tour of the American
Automo bile Association. Chairman FRANK
b.. Hover escaped with alacrity to the
wilds of Colorado. where he has been ever
since that time, Little does the chairman
know of the encomiums which have been
heaped upon his head since his hasty de-
parture on his hunting trip. AS a matter
Of fact there is n demand the country over
for the reappointment of Chairman Hover
to his present position. for 1t is the lopin-
ion of well posted men that with the ex-
perience OF this year. Chairman Hover will
be best fitted to fill the arduous duties of
the responsible position of chairman an
other year. These are undoubtedly the
real facts. and strong pressure Is being
brought to bear on the A. A. A.. officials
to assure the reappointment Of the chair
man. The results of the health trip TO
the West are becoming known through
letters from the chairman, who has been
unusually lucky In the search for big
game. In this trip he did not take his
small six Pierce with which he made The
tour, being content to get away from the
auto for a short time.
1t is different in Europe, for unlike
America. announcement of the great an
nual' race for next year. the Grand Prix,
has been made. The dates have been set
and the course has been chosen. In Amer
lea the announcement for next year has not
been made. In all probability thesParkway
will be completed. but an announcement
to that effect would be appreciated at the
present time. With the return of w. X.
Vanderbilt, 1r.. and Chairman j. De Mont
Thompson 1t is not improbable that some
very interesting announcements will be
made. The American makers and Amer
lean s~portsmen, together with the Euro
pean makers and sportsmen will await
anxiously the coming announcements.
The attitude of the American makers
toward the coming Ormond meet will be
known within a short time. No nneasl-
ness would be felt, however, for the maxi
ers are more than anxious to enter the
races during the month of January, since
the events provide an unequalled oppor-
tunity for publicity and advertising. Presi-
dent A. b. Foster, of Cleveland, president
of the Florida East Coast Automobile As
ISOLATION, has written to every maker
asking for expressions of intention and
has said that In the event OF the promise
of sufficient entries being received the
course will be laid out for a long race to
take the place of the Vanderbilt race, with
loops at each end of the course. 1t is pro-
posed to eliminate finally and for all time
freak machines, which by their presence in
the past nave run the meets, opening the
lists only to cars which may qualify in
the long events, which are to start the
cars, This innovation will make friends
for the great annual meet and will insure
success.
On the road nowadays men are met
who deserve all they get In the way of
trouble, with a capital T emanatlng from
the so-cnlled automobile fend. Farmers
and even city drivers will persist in keep
ing TO the middle of the road and turning
either way as may strike their fancy when
the auto gives its warning in frequent
toots. The Pierce Pathfinder on the route
of the fourth annual tour Of the A. A.. A.