Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-01-23
.AUTO|NG IN FARN0RTH
Travellers Advice on the New
York to Paris Contest.
COMFORT FOR THE DRIVERS.

~S"Bs Ssss ~
Reindeer Clothing Suggested by Sam
ueI D. Williams as Very Warm, Light
and Praetical-1ospitality Of the
Natives Not ExceIIed Anywhere.
II have been reading the proposed
automobile race from New York to
Paris overland under the auspices OF
the New York Times and Paris Matin
with more than an ordinary amount Of
interest, for I have been in that arctic
country quite good deal and know
something Of the hardships that will
have to be encountered" said Samuel
D. Williams Of Portland, Ore, to rep.
resentative Of the New York Times at
the Waldorf Astoria the other day.
"Such a trip appears to me to be per.
fectly feasible, although it will entail
many hardships and necessarily much
suffering unless great care is taken by
those sent on the expedition. Much
has been said about the construction of
the machines, the gasoline and lubri.
eating oils Shat will not freeze and
such other things Of mechanical ma.
ture, and the comfort Of the drivers
themselves appears to 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.
I'm the first place, it has been found
that in order to get the best out Of the
situation and be as comfortable as pos.
sible under the conditions It is best to
conform as far as possible with the
customs Of those who have already
solved the problem Of living in the arc
tic regions. In this connection it seems
that the value of reindeer skin cloth.
ing has not always been known or as
fully appreciated as it 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 theil
dress, but in general the mems winter
clothing consists of 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 ia
the feet; 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 fringed with wolfskin to
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 snow shirt made Of drilling
and sometimes a pair Of drill trohsera
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.
''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 it's most important
features. The skins are beautifully
tanned and are soft and pliable. The
heavy winter skins are seldom used
for clothes, but make excellent sleep
ing gear, either as mats or blankets OF
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.
'The difference between care and
lack Of care in arctic travel is slight"
he said, "and the first letup is sure to
bring its reminder In the shape OF
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.
mo part of the body requires more
attention than the hands and the feet.
Socks and boots mast be well made
and kept thoroughly dry. Even the
slightest perspiration will, If one stops
too long, work disastrously. Both
boots and socks should be changed i'm
mediately upon arriving at camp, and
dry ones should be put on in the morn
ing before starting out.
''The natives know the Importance of
this only too well, and if they see one
inclined to neglect these precautions
they will insist on his taking his foot
gear off. 1t Is the easiest thing In the
world for man to suffer severely in
such climate, but 1t is possible by
good care and attention to avoid what
one might call extreme suffering and
go through the country with only the