The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-10

HOLLAXDiR DID NOT
ACCEPT CHALLENGE

The challenge which l.. +. n. Baldwin,
the Providence autoist, recently sent 20
Z. r. Hollander OF New York and driver
of the fast Fiat car to a hili climbing
contest with the Stanley steamer and the
Fiat opposed TO each other was refused
| by Mr.. Hollander I'm a letter which was
made public by Mr.. Baldwin yesterday.
The letter was received by Mr. Baldwin
yesterday and he prepared the reply at
once and will send 1t today.
New York, Jan. Z, 1908.
"Mr. J.. It. ~. Baldwin, Central Automo-
| bile Exchange. 81 Fountain street,
Providence. r. T.:
Dear Sir-Your letter OF Jan. has
been duly received and In reply ] would
say that regret as much as you do that
the breakdown 10 which you refer should
have prevented your doing yourself and
the Stanley car justice in the hill climb
at Providence.
"As regards your challenge, shall GER
tainly send the Cyclone or another car
10 compete for the knight cup at next
years hill climb OF the Rhode Island Au-
tomobile club.
I'VE never entertain any proposals for
private matches of any description bu
always are and have been willing to en-
ter any tests OF an official nature which
II will be our pleasure TO meet any Of
your cars at the events scheduled for this
year whether they may be on the road
the beach. the track or In hill climbs.
"As far as hill climbs are concerned.
we don't consider the Providence. test a
a real one. as the distance is too short
but nevertheless We are willing TO ente
them as well az all other events of
similar nature. We expect TO enter cars
I'm the next Wilkesbarre hill climb. the
Westchester county race for the Briar
Clif cup. 100 miles on the road April "a
next. whatever races may be held this
year. and are also sending racing ma
chine as well as a stock chassis to Or
mond Beach. Florida, for the races TO be
held there under the auspices OF the An
tomobile Club OF America. March 10 7
1903. At this latter meet we will be pleas
ed TO meet your car In any OF the events
scheduled for this meeting for which
both cars may be eligible under the rules
OF the meet and as regards your proposal
10 wager sum of not less than s100-or
more than $l000-on the result OF the race
between our respective cars. and for
which YOU say you have mailed a check
10 Mr.. Morgan. will be pleased TO accep
this challenge for any OF the races sched.
uled as above mentioned for Florida and
for tho larger amount. viz. 5000. We
cannot go TO the trouble nor have we the
time TO promote match races of any sor
and IL we should commence accepting al
the challenges OF this nature that we re-
ceive we should do little else. and Our
business, as you must know, would suf-
fer greatly.
I'VE do not intend TO use this letter or
your esteemed favor for publicity in any
way unless YOU should force US TO do So
but have nevertheless forwarded copy
OF this letter TO Mr.. Morgan that he may
understand why our check for 800 wi
not be forthcoming 10 cover the one you
say you have already mailed him. but
unless You have something in the way of
steam car entirely different from what
has as yet appeared in public ] would
strongly recommend that you do not
forse us oaccept your challenge for
any of the Florida events. as feel con-
vinced you would lose the race as we'll as
your wager.
with best regards, yours very truly.
FIAT AUTOMOBILE COMPANY,
''E. B. Hollander, Vice President"