The San Francisco call., 1908-07-17
AUTOMOBILES ARE
NEAR PERFECTION
Experimental Stage Is Passed
and Machines Will Become
Much Cheaper
Manufacturers Devote Their
Energies to Bettering the
Present Designs
By x. x. PH0mmedieu

The announcement of the local auto
mobile dealers that the 1909 cars prac-
tically will be the same as the 1908
models shows that automobile manu-
featuring has reached stage where
satisfactory motor car has been built.
The fact that no radical changes will
appear means that the automobile is as
near perfection as the brain of man
kind can conceive The main principle
Of construction has reached a stage
that must be pleasing to the automobile
buyer. The fact that in keen competi-
tion nothing new Is to be offered ex-
cept refinements means that the man
who owns a 1908 vehicle has something
that should last him for years. It also
means that automobiles will be cheaper,
for the reason that the big factories
have ceased their expensive expert
mental work and are turning their
energies to lettering the designs they
now have. This indicates that they
will be able to place motor cars on
the market more cheaply.
E. J. Soule, the wealthy Oakland motorist
who met with accident en- route north re-
Gently, turning his completely upside down
at Pitt River hill, writes to the White company
car upon its wheels. which took five men and
two teams a day and night to accomplish,
the car was run under its own steam % miles
In one hour and 20 minutes to Reading and
boarded the train for Seattle, where it again,
with no work whatever on the engine, ran from
the station on its own power to Stetson's
garage"
The White company is temporarily located at
137 Hayes street, in commodious quarters. The
garage and salesrooms are the largest in town.
The building extends the entire length of
block the offices being in Hayes street and the
rear of the shop in Fell street:
II. L. Owesney, manager of the local branch
of the. winton motor carriage company, re-
tha aIo and do1f of -rroar "
touring car to w. B. Tubbs of Burlingame.
The Pioneer automobile company reports the
sale and delivery Of 40 horsepower Thomas
Detroit to Joseph E. Culver. 60 horsepower
to Fl. S. Chambers and a 40 horsepower olds-
mobile to George =. Turner Of Modesto.
Paul Lacrolx. head of the Renault selling
the coast stating that the new taxicab company
in Chicago has placed a contract with the
Renault people to supply all their taxicabs.
E. H. Bardshar has written from sissons to
A. B. Costigan Of the Pacific motor ear com
yea touring car that he took overland reached
Yreka In splendid condition, not giving the
slightest bit of trouble on the trip.
]. c. snead. head of the stearns automobile
in this city, has returned from a visit TO the
factory. He is most enthusiastic over the 1909
product, which the Stearns company viii place
on sale in San Francisco by September l.
A. D. Plugor of ]. W. Leavltt & Co. has
returned from his trip to Ukiah and Eureka.
He went overland to deliver a Stoddard-Day
and came back by steamer. He reports the
road exceedingly good all the way up and that
many automobiles are touring in that section
ts bfst the PS1 Ssns fss
automobiles will be sold before the 1909 models
arrive.
The local branch house OF Thomas B. Jefery
reports the sale and delivery of 36 horsepower
four cylinder Rambler touring car to the San
pany also sold duplicate of this horsepower
to Frank Bush. Mr.. Francis of Auburn has
written of a successful trip made to Los An
geles by way of the San Joaquin valley in his
% horsepower two cylinder Rambler. the only
delay Of his trip being to repair one puncture.
The Automobile Club of America is taking
another position in its fight against the Ameri-
partment of the club. which hammered the
national organization, has issued a bulletin in
this war. It appears as IL the entries Of or
the prospects of entries for their grand prize
race were not coming in in numbers to suit
event was started.
]. R. Wilson has returned from trip to Lake
Tahoe in his four cylinder Stevens-Duryea. He
left Sacramento at O'Clock one morning and
within l. hours was at Tallac. The roads were
good alb the way to slippery ford, where the hard
climb began from Strawberry to the summit.
1t is a steep and long grade and the other
side there is about three miles of soft sand.
whldh makes naIu pulllng. wilson warns motor mo-
their crank cases and at all parts, and to take
water at every opportunity. he passed several
that were laid up from oyerheating. The
route he took from Sacramento to Perkin,
thence to Hangtown crossing, Natoma, all direct
roads. thence to Folsom, thence to Clarkville.
following the telegraph poles thence to Shingie
springs, following the telegraph poles at the fork
of the road, thence TO FL Dorado, thence to
Placerville the turnpike, thence to Smiths
fat, the road being somewhat dusty at this
point. thence TO Sportsmans hill where one
keeps to the left direct the summit
grade of 10 per cent. thence through Pacific and
Moores station to Strawberry valley as far as
Slippery ford, where the climb for the summit
begins. From Slippery ford the route passes
through Phillips station to the summit; then a
run of about three miles to Meyers station, TAX