New-York tribune., 1908-12-18
COST OF SHOWING CARS
EXPENSE NOT SPARED.
Palace U'W Be Transformed for the
annual Exhibition.

Those who attend the automobile show which
opens in the Grand Central Palace New Years
Eve will see exhibition on which more than
10000 has been expended in decorations and light
ing effects solely 10 provide proper setting for
the leading American and foreign automobiles OF
1909. This of money together with much labor
on the part Of small army of workmen. will pro
duce what is expected be the climax in decors-
tfons for an Industrial exhibition which lasts only
seven days. The money for art and the expenses
Of the three hundred exhibitors who will oner
their latest production in motor cars and acces-
sories will have served its purpose. however for
the maker. designer and buyer will have seen MS
favortte car exhibited under conditions that ne
deems only proper for such wonderful piece OF
mechanism as the modern motor propelled Vehlcle
Good art always costs money said n y
Smith chairman of the show COMMITTEES, ana the
best the line Of statuary, paintings and eectIi
cal equipment will be seen at the nintn ihIerna-
ttonal show which opens in the Palace on tne eN7
Of the new year However elaborate and beautltul
the decorations are. they have been designed II
such perfect taste that they uul in no way over
shadow the cars themselves which are the redl
object Of the show. but will simply form s4i'aol@
frame or background to display the macnlnes u
the best advantage
While TO some the expenditure 4 80 large an
amount of money may seem extravagant, especiaHy
when it is considered that few Of the decoratloH'
are available for use after the snow II haS O1N
proved TO the motor car trade tnat suCh aliat
are having propositions Heavy patronage by the
while to the manufacturers the returns more than
warrant the outlay necessary for proper exnlolt
Under the Uniform plan Of decoration. which IS
carried out to a nicely, each exhibitor * as big
factor as his neighbor and the whole supplies
pleasing contrast to the affairs Of old. when each
exhibitor had an exhibit that differed entirely from
the others"
The Palace at 43d street and lexington avenue
both inside and out will be completely transformed
by the decorators in their effort TO supply proper
stage for showing motor cars The scheme Is on
the early Englsh period with red roofs. while the
entire affair will be illuminated with some eight
or nine thousand electric lights, supplying brill
fancy that is expected surpass any previous ex-
rtbition in this country. Although it has required
six months to prepare the decorations the whole
has TO De installed in about five DAYS and nights
and removed in less than forty-eight hours when
the show comes 70 an end, January :.
By actual count fewer than y manufacturers
Of complete motor cars and go makers OF acces-
sories will exhibit their products at this show.
They include sixty-six distinct types Of pleasure
cars and eleven makes Of commercial vehicles
from a low-povered delivery wagon costing $50
lp to huge three and ten ton trucks costing from
S. eco $500.
Not the least interesting portion Of the pleasure
vehicle exhibition will be the importers salon sec
ton at which will be displayed Tor the frst and
only time n tnis country the latest 1873 models Of
a dozen Of the leading imported cars, direct from
the Paris salon.