The Washington times., 1908-11-20
SAVANNAH PRAISED
BY AUTONOBILISTS
Preparations Show Perfect
Ability TO Handle Contest
in the Best Style.
By WILLIAM Mckay WHITE.

SAVANNAH. Ca, Nov. 20-There is
Just one thought prevalent in this city
nowadays that takes precedence over
all others, and that is Of the coming
automobile contest. with true Southern
hospitality, the city has welcomed hun
dreds Of motorists from the North and
from Europe, and anyone with a pair
Of goggles on his cap. or wearing
leather puutees. is treated with the Ut
most Difference.
That the people Of this city know how
TO run automobile races is also shown
and even the foreigners admit that
some regulations In force here are su-
perior to those used in Europe. The
system of guarding the course. the use
for criminal negligence If they slight
their duty, and the course itself, have
all been admired.
Fournier Is There.
Henri Fournier arrived today. A man
looking very much like Fournier ap-
peared yesterday and was called by the
name OF the daring FTenchman.
Louis Strang has returned from Biz
mingham with details OF the death OF
Emil Stricken, and 1t seems that the
trouble was caused by StTickeTs coat
getting tangled in the wheel OF his
racer. This pulled him out in spite
Of hls effort 70 keep his seat The
news caused a number OF drivers and
mechanics in the grand prize and light
car races to shed loose, flowing gar
ments. and to don regulation close-ft-
ting leather suits. Stricker's Renault
Will arrive today to be used as a spare
car.
Two Mechanics Laid Up.
Burman. who has sent two mechanics
TO the hospital since he started practice.
cannot ind a third to ride with him.
Even the most daredevil chauffeur in
tow will not take the chance Grin
non, who was nearly killed two days
ago, now has a fair chance for recov-
cry. Another mechanic from this town
has been riding with Costello in a Max
well, but as he is a minor and his
mother vigorously objected, starting the
police on the trail of her son. Carl W
Kelsey, in charge of the Maxwells, has
had the boy replaced By another.
1t is expected that nearly all Of the
contestants will practice today, for the
weather is beautiful and warm, and
the course is in splendid condition.
Little Cars There.
For the daily light car practice the
little cars began 10 appear shortly be-
fore noon. Al Poole settled the question
as to who viii drive the baby Isotta
car by appearing at the grandsla and at
d Quarter before = TO get some one to
show him the short course. He went
around it at pretty fast rate and then
stopped for his regular mechanic.
Robert Purman was the first To come
around past the stand IN his Buick at
spced and Il was noticed that he had
found a mechanic. Then Easter passed
iu his Buick Al Poole restarted in the
IsGttd. LOrimer in the Chalmers-D Detroit.
letters i'm his RuiclC, and Burns in the
-lElmers- Detroit, No. 13.
Jeffers and Easter made best time
among the early laps, the former in
1912 and the latter in 1857, an average
speed for the distance of 9.S miles of
ffty-fve miles an hour.
So few cars on the circuit diminished
the interest, and some surprise was ex-
pressed that no more appeared. Bur
man made one lap in 1910 Easter two
in Is. IS and 1851 Poole, one in 15.4f
Jeffers, one in 1912, and the others did
not make complete laps.
The Lancia practice car went aSound
about 1 O'Clock.