New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-12-05
AUTO, TRADE DIVIDED
SOME APPROVE RACING.
Others applaud MoUe to Prevent
Contest on Tracks.

A talk with the various manufacturers dealers
and agents along Automobile Row yesterday in
relation to the resolution adopted by the American
Automobile Association at its annual meeting this
week against track racing found them divided
the question Those who entered contests of the
kind were favorable to It rule while those OPP
posed to such events were free in expressing an
opinion that 1t was right Some main
tanned that track racing did provide true test
OF the merits of a car, while others declared
phatcal1y that the contests were a benefit to the
trade.
Harry Lozier maker of the Lozier automobiles
whose cars have been entered in most contests was
one or those highly IN favor of track racing. He
said that when the contests were rightly managed,
such as the two twenty-four hour held under
the auspices Of the Motor Racing Association
the Brighton Beach track last fall, there was no
more danger than in any other kind OF racing He
believed that organization to govern auto
mobile racing would be formed. He was against
track racing where the promoters went into it
chiefly for profit, and added that In these contests
most of the serious accidents occurred
lust to show how few mishaps might happen
when contests tracks properly conducted
Mr. Lozier said that only serious accident had
occurred in the two twentyfour-hour races held by
the Motor Racing Association. and that was the
killing OF a special police officer while attempting
to cross the track at night. Mr. Lozier said he
was also in favor of road racing as an advantage
TO the trade.
General John T Cutting Of the Oldsmobile
racing. The company has withdrawn from all
competitions since Keller, tho well known O1dsmo-
bile driver, was killed a few years ago General
Cutting could not where track and road rae
ing aided the trade, but said they really injured
business Both were dangerous, especially track
racing. He did not where the glory Of a car
travelling seventy-two miles an hour came IN. for
those who fond of automobile riding for the
pleasure Of ii did not for driving mad
speed. He said that he favored endurance con
test hi
car for touring purposes were shown General
Cutting added that cars entered in track and road
contests were generally specially built machines
George W Bennett. OF the White company, also
opposed track and road racing. He said that the
latter a nuisance to the road community and
hindrance to business. When It taken into
consideration that specially built entered such
contests he could not where the value in any
sense came In In Europe he said. the interest in
this sport dying out. Mr. Bennett favored
endurance and hill climbing contests
NJ J. Budlong OF the Packard Automobile Com
pany, said that while his firm did not believe in
entering racing contests track field, devoting
its energy to building touring cars, he against
track racing because of the danger to the contest
ants and said he in favor of the action by
the American Automobile Association.
Charles Matheson. Of the MathesOn Automobile
Company, whose cars have figured conspicuously
in many speed contests, thought they bene
fit to the trade. He said that persons went to
horse shows and horse racing to the best horses
and what they looked like and. what they could
do That the public interested in track racing,
he said. was evident by the big crowds that at
tended the two meets held by the Motor
Racing Association. That many were still
running in the races at the finish almost without
a stop, he believed, gave a fine demonstration of
the merits of the He also said that Matheson
cars would be represented in all OF the important
contests next year.
Many OF the racing cars that took part in the
Grand Prize at Savannah Thanksgiving
Day arrived here yesterday. Among them the
Fiat in which Louis Wagner won the contest
It towed to the Fiat saIesrooms upper
Broadway and aroused a good deal OF interest.
Two other to arrive yesterday were Maxwell
machines, entered in the light car race that was
held the day before the Grand Prize Crowds
collected when the cars arrived at their garages.