Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-27
Auto Racers Considering Plan to
Shorten Route in New York
to Paris Contest
SNOW BAD ENOUGH
Weeks Battle With the Elements Con-
vinces Drivers They Do Not Want to
Go North-French and Italian Cars
Reach Chicago-Given Enthusiastic
Welcome.

Chicago. Feb. 27.-Northern Siberia
route of the New York to Paris auto
mobile racers as "a result of the failure
of the cars to go thru the Indiana
snow drifts under their own power.
plan now is under consideration to
take the autos by boat from San Fran
cisco to Japan. motor thru Japan, take
another boat to Nladivostok. and then
run down the Russian post roads by
the side of the Siberian railway the s.
900 miles to Paris.
The discussion of the new plan was
taken up at the Chicago Automobile
club last night soon after the arrival
of the French and Italian cars. when
checked in at 6 80 o'clock, twenty six
hours behind the American car. Final
action may not be taken until d trial
of the western states is made. a con-
ference will be held today to determine
what shall be done.
one of the main reasons for the
change is the fact that the delay be-
tween New York and Chicago has
made it impossible to reach San Fran :
cisco by March IA, the time set for
sailing to Alaska. later boat will
bring the time for crossing Alaska too
late to catch the hard snow and it
might be found necessary to wait for
another season.
A. Won Mueller, general agent for the
Zust cars in Europe, appeared to be in
favor of the plan, but would not say
anything definite. st. Chaffrey and
Sartori are inclined to go on the old
route as far as possible. Roberts is of
the opinion that the trip thru Alaska is
almost impossible, but he is ready to
try. Roberts is entered for the grand
priX in Europe in July, and if the new
plan is carried out he may meet the
American car in Russia. The consent
of the foreign managers of the race
will have to be gained to change the
route.
Given Enthusiastic Welcome.
The reception given the crews of the
foreign cars was one of widest en-
| lIlllSldSll. GSeu IRE was burned dlouE
the drive thru Jackson park and down
Michigan avenue. Cannon crackers
We're exploded. Flags huttered from the
automobiles that crowded the street SC
that all traffic was stopped. AT the
entrance to the automobile club the
cars We're stormed by Italians and
E'renchman. ST. Chaffrey. driver of the
De Dion, and Sartori, driver of the
Zust, were carried away on the Shout
ders of the crowd and the cars Were
decked in Wreaths of flowers.
Clever jockeying for the position OF
leader thru the downtown streets
marked the progress from Twenty
second street. The cars. piloted by
Jack" Banta of the Chicago Automo-
bile club and followed by other ma
chimes as far as the eye could reach
made many a dangerous maneuver on
Michigan avenue. At Jackson bOule-
ward where the traffic is heavy and
many persons on foot We're trying to
cross the street, an accident was
averted narrowly.
st. Chaffrey darted out from second
place at speed of sixty miles an hour
and took a position ahead of the pilot
car He kept it just half block. All
State street Sartori violated all the
rules of speed and traffic and made a
wild dash to head off the F'renchman
The cars passed so close that the
wheels grated. The Italian made a big
racket with his horn and st. Chaff-
rev put on the brakes. This gave Sar-
tori the lead into the club.
The cars came from Michigan City
during the day. The Italian car
waited four hours at that place, and
it was arranged with Paul Picard, pi
lot of the Chicago Motor club, that
on this account the Italian car would
have precedence into Chicago. st.
Chaffrey, however, on the way down.
town determined to have a little sport
and as consequence the other au-