New-York tribune., 1908-04-05

policeman a chance by the perfection of the
motorcycle But 1t is still motor and motor
race, and it is open question whether the
next invention will favor the bluecoat chaser or
the goggle-eyed chased AutomObiling has be-
come the cheapest sport on earth, considering
the essentials. such as gasolene for fuel and oil
for fabrication. They cost next to nothing
However the incidentas, such as wells, gloves
chauffeurs repair bills, insurance. storage and
800 bills for bail, raise the expenses to a point
slightly above the means OF the average wage
Garner good machine costs from s400 70
100000 When a man has twenty or so it is
| customary to speak of them a fleet. There
ire several such fleets in the country
The limousine ype, or closed car, introduced
bv the French carriage makers in this country
about three years ago, paved the way for the
automobile TO rival the most paatial private
railroad car AS they have been in many other
respects in automobile building, the French were
leaders in the construction of this type of car
The art Of the most expert carriage builders
was used to help in turning out a that
would be a model of elegance in every respect.
Therefore, the luxurious automobile of to-day
stands as a fine combination OF mechanical
genius and the artistic ability of the expert
carriage builder.
In this country the best examples of these
richly fitted cars are seen in the evening during
the opera G-ason. Where formerly coaches
were used by the opera goers, now they draw
UP before the brightly Illuminated entrances Of
the opera houses in luxurious Limousine cars.
At a Madison Square Garden automobile show
three years ago a Limousine of American
make was a novelty Now hundreds Of them
are being turned out each year in the big fac
tories of this country. Three years ago such
things as a compact little travelling room with
table for card playing, or upon which
dainty luncheon might be served, smelling salts,
looking glasses and other toilet conveniences;
electric lights, electric bells that could convey
instructions to the chauffeur on the principle
of one bell for hot water, two for cold three for
towels. and so on; bOokracks coatracks and
even ice boxes, where a limited amount of re-
freshments might be stored would have created
much amusement But they are not even
novelties. Manufacturers were quick to see
that these innocent frivolites lent a certain dig
nitv to the car placing it among the aristocrats
in mOtordom.
The limousine type Of automobile is an
penstye luxury, often costing even more than the
high-power racer The cheapest car Of the kind
costs $1,000. while there is hardly any upper
limit some of them bringing as high as $4,000.
The owner Of one of these de luxe cars gener-
ally has big stable of machines, like Colonel
John Jacob Astor or C. K. G.. Billings.
One Of the cars shown at a recent exhibition
had a tubular flower rack enCircled with silver
bands and holding glass tubes for water With
these filed with viOets or orchids. the perfec-
tion OF automobile travel might well be gined.
The interior Of the car was upholstered in gray
broadcloth, the metal fittings being electro
plated and the woodwork polished mahogany.
Two folding seats were placed opposite the
rear seat, arranged to close up fat
against the front of the On the outer edge
Of these seats a projecting metal pin fitted into
a socket in the door that it was impossible
TO open the doors when the seats were occu-
pied The seats closed automatically on rising
allowing the doors to be opened instantly. Be
tween these front seats was 4 small folding
mahogany table, and above it a small but com
pletely equipped toilet case, containing a mirror
cut glass bottles for smelling salts, etc.
brush, comb and manicure set. Under the rear
seat was a large mahogany drawer with a
special compartment for q wOman's hat. Addi-
tionaI storage space was provided by side pock-
cts, while a net suspended from the roof pro-
vfded a place for light articles The interior
was lighted by electricity, the storage battery
being hidden in a chest under the rear seat
Even the braiding of a special design, and
the window straps terminated in a velvet bulb
with corded embroidery OF artistic design.