The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-12
SHORTEST TINE
ON LONGER WAY
IN PARIS RACE
Interest Grows as Time
Approaches for Trans
continental Test.

NEW YORK, Jan. 1.-THE growing in
terest in the coming auto race from
New York TO Paris is attested daily by
the number of inquiries received as 70
the details Of conditions and route.
Last week three more automobile con-
Germs declared their purpose 10 enter
cars in the contest if arrangements
could be completed n time. A declara-
tion from San Francisco is positive,
stating that a well-known driver who
climbed the snowClad mountains of
Switzerland in his car would be a
starter. The other two were dependent
On conditions TO be announced.
It will be possible TO give the itinerary
Of the tourist across the United States
shortly. II has been decided to take
the Southern detour after crossing the
Rockies. 50 that the entire trip from
New York to san Francisco viii mean
journey of more than 1900 miles EX-
pert drivers who have made the trip
across the country declare that time
viii actually be saved by taking the
longest way to the Pacific destination.
Valuable Aid.
The aid which is to be given the tour
lists 10y the American Automobile Asso-
citation and the Automobile Club of
America viii be OF the utmost value.
The presence on the American commit
tee OF men of racing experience, ike
jefferson Demont Thompson. the chair
man of the racing board Of the A. \. a,
as well as experienced tourists like
Frank 3. Hover, chairman OF the tour
ing board of the A. A. a, Will insure
10 the contestants all the assistance that
can well Ee rendered. Secretary +. 3.
Elliott will secJSre the assistance of au-
tomObilc clubs along the route, whose
advice in matters pertaining TO their
own locality ought 10 be very valuable.
While many express doubt Of the abil-
fly Of the autOtStS to get through ST.
IBERIA and to finish the race in Paris,
there is q growing belief that the cars
viii be able to reach this side of the
Boring strait successfully. The crossing
of the strait appears to many to be an
insurmOuntable obstacle There is 4
growing belief that the majority Of the
cars will be able 10 penetrate the ice
and snow or Alaska, though some de-
clare that meme will so farther than
Nome City. This, however, is con-
siderable achievement.
Practical Value.
As far as practical values go. auto
mobile enthusiasts say that much viii
be accomplished for the trade by a
demonstration Of the ability Of the cars
TO cross the United States successfully
in the worst period of the winter season,
but none doubt that they viii accom-
plish this task. A 500-mile endurance
contest is no mean achievement.
sir Thomas Dewar, who IS in this city
on his way to Florida for his annual
tarpou fishing, was seen at the Plaza
Hotel Yesterday. and expressed lively
interest in the undertaking. Sir Inohlas
has always been a keen automobile en-
rhusiaSt and has not only driven cars
extensively is a tourist himself, Dut mas
promoted the sport actively Dy MS
prefer OF cups and his organization or
aces.
Endurance VS.. Speed.
In speaking of the race he said: Il
believe that the day for automobile rae
ing as a valuable aid to the industry
IS past. We have learned practically all
that we can from auto racing Tor speed
only. What / believe we should do In
the future is to encourage endurance
tests ard nonstop runs and similar con-
tests that develop reliability. These are
the things that need 10 be developed in
proved that an automobile can go any
where with assistance that engineers
can give it. and no task IS impossible
from this viewpoint
s'VVn.s do not believe that any auto
roiObile ~ the preseE: contest VIII sue
s coed n getting through to Paris. the
rave Ousht to afford some valuabel les
sons. fO1 after all II IS not race, but
an endurance contest, pure and simple.
To take car on its own bottom across
the Unssad States in the winter season,
or to tale It across at all, in fact, is
an achievement.
Doubtful About Alaska.
About the Alaskan part of the jour
ney, 1 must admit to some doubt.
think the cars can 60 from Valdez TO
Nome City, but from what I learned
from Harry De Windt and others the
nature Of the rest of the way 10 St
Michaels places herculean obstacles in
the way. I do not know whether the
cars can get across the ice fields or not
with the necessary limitations on
equipment but L would say if any
does. # viii be an American for no
other would possess the ingenuity and
endurance to accomplish II.
Il shall follow the race with the keen
est interest as I did the race from Pc
King TO Paris. and I regret that I must
return direct from the Bahamas - Eng
LAID and shall not be able II Ee here
- see she piUcky fellows start upon
their journey. am sure I wish them
avery success"