Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-12-25
AUTO|NC IN FAR NORTH
Travellers Advice on the lew
York 10 FariS Contest.
COMFORT FOR The DRIVERS.

Natives Not ENcelled Anywhere.
u have been reading The proposed
automobile race from New York 10
Paris overland under the auspices o,
the New York Times and Pass Matn
with more than an ordinary amount of
interest. for have been in that arctic
country quite a good deal and know
something OF the hardships that viii
have 10 be encountered said Samuel
u. Williams Of Portland. Ore. 10 q req
resentatlve Of the New York Times al
the Waldorf Astoria the other day.
"Such a trip appears to me TO be per.
fectly feasible. although 1t will entail
many hardships and necessarily much
suffering unless great care is taken by
those sent on the expedition. Much
las been said about the construction a.
the machines, the gasoline and lubri
eating oils that will not freeze and
such other things of mechanical ma
ture. and the comfort OF the drivers
themselves appears 10 have been en-
tirely overlooked This Is a question
that should be taken up before the
machines are started on their long
journey. and In order that the drivers
may have the benefit Of the experience
Of others who have spent many months
in the arctic regions few suggestions
might prove beneficial
In the first place. II has been found
that in order to get the best out of the
situation and he as comfortable as pos
sible under the conditions 1t is best 70
conform as far as possible with, the
customs Of those who have already
solved the problem Of living in the are
tic regions. In this connection II seems
that the value OF reindeer skin cloth
Ing has not always been known or as
fully appreciated as II should be IN
arctic explorations.
THE Eskimo OF arctic Alaska and
northeast Siberia use hardly anything
else. and nothing Is so warm and light
as their dress There are slight Local
differences in the makeup Of their
dress. but in general the mems winter
clothing consists Of a single pair OF
close fitting trousers, with the hair
next TO the skin for cold and the re-
verse for ordinary weather; pair OF
deerskin socks, with the hair next TO
the feet; a pair Of boots with the hair
out, with heavy sealskin soles for hard
wear or deerskin soles for light wear;
two artigges, or shirts, one with the
hair next TO the body and the other
with the hair out and both with close
fitting hoods frlnged with wolfskin &c
break the wind from the face and
nose and pair OF mittens.
"These are all made OF the summer
skins OF the reindeer, and the whole
outfit will not weigh more than ten
or twelve pounds. over the skin shirt
is worn a snow shirt made OF drilling,
and sometimes pair of drill trousers
is worn over the skin trousers TO keep
the snow from driving into the hair
"A belt Is worn around the waist out
side the shirt TO keep the cold air out.
or, rather. TO keep the warm air In.
This is loosened when the person gets
too warm. With this outfit well sewed
and everything tight one can defy al
most any degree of cold.
1.-THE weight OF ones clothing is very
telling in the days and weeks OF trav-
cling through the snow and over the
rough ice. and the lightness OF the
deerskin is one Of its most important
features. The skins are beautifully
tanned and are soft and plisble. The
heavy winter skins are seldom used
for clothes. but make excellent sleep
Ing gear, either as mats or blankets or
made up as sleeping bags. Here also
their lightness and warmth are their
chief recommendations.
Another thing concerning the comfort
and safety of the drivers was referred
to by Mr. Williams in the necessity for
taking care not TO freeze exposed
parts.
1.-THE difference between care and
lack Of care I'm arctic travel is slight.
he said. land the first letup IS sure TO
bring its reminder IN the shape OF a
frosted toe or finger or frozen nose
One must be on guard. and the slight
est twinge IN the nose or cheek must
be needed and circulation started again
by vigorous rubbing.
'No part Of the body requires more
attention than the hands and the feet.
Socks and boots must be we'll made
and kept thoroughly dry Even the
slightest perspiration will. II one stops
too long. work disastrously. Both
boots and socks should be changed inn
mediately upon arriving at camp. aud
dry ones should be put on in the morn
ing before starting out
"The natives know the Importance OF
this only too well. and II they see one
Inclined to neglect these precautions
they will insist on his taking his foot
gear of. IL Is the easiest thing in the
world for a man 20 suffer severely In
such a climate. but Il is possible by
good care and attention TO avoid what
one might call extreme suffering and
go through the country with only the
unavoidable discomforts. which a man
soon learns to become accustomed TO-
while speaking Of the arctic coun-
try let me say just one thing more
The hospitality OF the people-the ma
tives. I mean-ls not excelled any
where. IL is never grudglng. II IS
thrust upon you. The best they have
and the best place In the house are at
the disposal Of the traveller. Often II
Is embarrassing. for the natives are so
nsistent and generous that II is hard
20 refuse their offers"