The San Francisco call., 1908-09-03
CRACKED MUFF[[R
ENDANG[RS AUTO
Frequent Losses by Fire Are
Due to Neglect of the
Owners
By K. R.PHommedieu

From time to time one hears of the
destruction of automobiles by fire, and
there Is always some discussion as to
the cause. Information comes from
insurance companies that take risks on
automobiles that the greatest losses
are from fire caused by collisions. Next
to that the greatest loss results from
defective muffiers. If there is one part
of an automobile that fails to receive
proper attention it is the muff1er. When
neglected 1t becomes cracked and worn
out allowing the red hot exhaust to
escape through the broken section.
This means that a flame is shot up
against the woodwork of the body,
which chars and finally ignites.
. The Thomas factory of Buffalo is backing up
the American automobile association as the
national body to control the automobile situation.
The following communication has been sent by
Edwin Ross Thomas. president of the E. r.
Thomas motor company, to Frederick III. Elliott,
secretary of the American automobile associa-
tion:
'.AI Thomas cars entered in the "a hour race
TO be held at Brighton Beach. September II,
have been Withdrawn for the reason that the
E. r. Thomas motor company can not permit
any of its cars, over which it has the slightest
control, to participate in a race which has not
received the sanction of the American auto
mobile association as it would dsqualify
cars and drivers from all events outside
the metropolitan district. We believe that
ing must be controlled by authoritative body,
been controlling racing for some years
reason why conditions should change In assum-
ing this position, l feel IL voice the
sentiment of .the largest majority of manufac
turers without whose assistance races can not
be successfully Under instructions III. S.
Houpt has Withdrawn his entries in the Brighton
Beach race"
At meeting Of the sanction committee Of
the racing board of the American automobile
association, held at national headquarters in
New York, applications were granted TO six or
mobile association. The applicants have complied
in every respect with the rules Of the racing
board. The applications granted were as fol-
lows: Automobile club of Minneapolis. hill
climb: automobile club OF Minneapolis and auto
mobile club of st. Paul, joint auspices, race
hour endurance contest;l Wildwood, n. j.. motor
club speed trials; Sonoma county automobile
club of Santa Rosa, race meet; Richmond, Va.
automobile club, race meet. Reservation dates
were requested for sanction events to be held
in the near future in Poughkeepsie, Baltimore,
Washington and Hot Springs.
Tho navy department has received two White
steamer arnbulanees, one of which VIII be used
by the naval hospital at new Fort Lyon, In
Colorado. and the other at the naval hospital In
Philadelphia.
Frank Nelson son of Fernando Nelson. re-
turned yesterday from a tour OF Lake county
in his fathers White steamer. he reports that
the mountain roads still in fair shape in
spite of the heavy teaming which has been done
over them
n Bill. head of the local branch Of the
THOMAS r. jeffrey company, has received let.
fer from the home office announcing that all