The San Francisco call., 1908-11-18
NEW MOTOR CLUB
ELECTS OFFICERS
Fernando Nelson Is President OF
the Latest Automobile
Organization
Chairmen of the Different COM
mittees Selected to Handle
the Yearly Work
By z. r. PH0mmedieu

In the belief that the American auto
mobile has reached a state of develop
ment where an extraordinary test of
mechanical efficiency is necessary to
demonstrate all that is desired by a
well posted public, Colonel George
Studebaker of South Bend, IND, sug-
gests a 'nonrepair" competition, and in
order that manufacturers may not be
put to extra expenditure of time and
money, recommends that the competi-
ton be an adjunct of the established
Glidden tour.
In order that the matter may be
brought Immediately to the attention
OF motorists and manufacturers, Colonel
Studebaker offers to put up an artistic
trophy valued at $4,000, and to be
known as the Studebaker gold cup,
to be contested for by any or all en-
trants to the Glidden tour, making no
special conditions for either roadsters
or touring. carS-no price or power re-
strictions.
With the permission of the touring
committee the cup will be competed for
during the 1909 Glidden tour, and all
rules and conditions will, of course, be
left to the judgment of the touring
committee of the A. A. A.
In this connection Colonel Stude-
baker suggests that every device here
tofore used to guard against repairs
and prove reliability, be utilized, these
safeguards to include sealed bonnets,
sealed toolboxes and observers re-
ports.
The "nonrepair" idea was suggested
to Colonel Studebaker by the fact that
nearly score of cars came through
the last Glidden tour with perfect
scores
to be hard one, it is apparent that
the high class cars are beyond the
general test of reliability. The Stude-
baker gold cup will be an extra proof
of efficiency to the winning manufac-
turer, who will have established new
standard of reliability, as it will be
necessary in order to win it that the
car shall go through the entire tour
without repair having been made-or
required-for the colonel considers it
little less than farcica1 that a car which
is obviously a wreck at the end of
the tour may yet be accorded a per
feet mark.
The San Francisco motor club is now
in full swing of operation. Last night
the members elected full board of
officers and it is now up to them to put
the club before the public as an or
ganization that will do things for the
good of the automobile. 1t was more
than an enthusiastic meeting. Plans
were laid to begin taking at once a
prominent part in the automobile
doings of the city. The officers who
were elected to serve for the coming
year were: Fernando Nelson, presi-
dent; Charles s. Howard, first vice
president; William M. KIinger, second
vice president; Frank E. Carroll, sec
retary; C. E. Starratt, treasurer; N. j.
Pendergast and H NJ. Goldberg, direc-
tors with the other officers. The chair
men of the different committees are:
George E. Johnson, publicity; E. C.
Mohrig, finance; A E. Hunter, good
roads; A. D. Plughoff, membership;
Tony Nichols. contests; ]. w. Griffin,
technical; j. E. Mccarthy. house;
George Mountz, grievance; r. Vein
| stock, chauffeur registration; w. R.
Johnson, runs and tours.
A vote was ordered spread on the
minutes thanking w. r. Johnson for
his good work in bringing about the
organization of the club. 1t was de-
| cided to keep the charter membership
roll open until the next meeting, which
viii be held on December s.