Arizona republican., 1908-11-09

land when we see constantly before us the magnificent automobiles. it is difficult to look back to the year 1884 and form an idea how slow people
 were to receive, and comprehend any thing in the way of a self propelled vehicle. In talking with people at that date. in regard to the application of power to a bicycle, continues Mir. Copeland. it was amusing to hear the various expressions made by them. Some would say it. would be impossi- ble to make the bicycle any more use full by the application of power. that the bicycle was made for exercise, etc (the time not having arrived when bi- 1 cycles were used for any other pur- pose). Others would say that they would be afraid they could not stop
 it when they wanted to. and it would
 go like runaway horse, and be likely
 to kill the rider, etc. Such a type of people. although admitting the possi-
 bility of rapidity is really the one that retards the wheels of progress
 Tn the days I speak of. there was not
 really a name adopted for a self pro-
 pelled vehicle but just about that time
 the French were working on the same
 lines, and they called their machine
 an automobile, and as familiarity at
 tains we are inclined to drop super
 fluities, in everything and We simply
 call them autos, cars, etc. Some peO-
 pie however take the time to add to
 the simple name, and both prefix and
 affix some terrible qualifying adjec-
 tives. Some people call them by the
 most awful names known to the most
 progressive people that ever handled
 an auto or were ever handled by one.
 By the owners of the valuable dogs, chickens, etc. 1t was called bad names they knew more about naming 1t than did the inventors themselves, and I suppose in the next world, on which so many have prematurely been landed, by forced contact with these-these- things, they have a name for it, there.
 While was engaged in the work of perfecting my machines I exhibited them in Madison Square Gardens. New York City, Philadelphia, Washington. D. C. and on one occasion climbed cap itol hill, which at this date would not be considered anything uncommon as far as the hill is concerned.
 One notable thing was the atten- tion the machine attracted. If I would happen to make a stop, the crowd around it would become so dense that often had difficulty in getting through it to my machine again
 But for my part, I am still in love with the auto-car, and I feel I made no mistake in my prognostigations as to utility in comfort and in speed etc. felt sure that they would be used in great numbers, that there would be great excitement in racing. and that it | would give that feeling of satisfaction l to man, bv allowing him the power to | transport himself from one part to | another, in small fraction of the time | which otherwise would be required. | But notwithstanding. yielded to temp tation in other channels and relinquish- | ed my pet scheme"
 "In the foregoing do not wish to l be understood as claiming to be the | first in the construction of a road ma chine self propelled. but to my knowl- | edge there was nothing built of as light | weight and with the speed qualifica- | tions possessed by my machines at that | time.''