The Washington times., 1908-07-26

Fifty new taxicabs On the streets OF
Washington before October 1 is the
promise Of F. W. Thomas, OF the Fed
eral Taxicab Company, who returned
from Buffalo last week. where he con-
cluded negotiations with the K. r.
Thomas Company for the early deliv-
cry OF the record breaking order of
cabs.
Shipments will be begun in two
weeks" declares Mr.. Thomas. and
from then through September we hope
to be receiving consignments as fast as
the factory can ship them.
While at tli. Thomas factory L had
En- excellent chance to get compre-
hensive idea Of the fcld,-and take 1t
from me, this enterprise is the biggest
yet. In New York, Boston, Phiiadel-
phia. and Chicago, as we'll as Wash
ington, the demand Tor the cabs before
the fall season opens is taxing the max
ers TO the utmost. Moreover, companies
are looking over the ground IN san
Francisco and before the winter is over
We will have companies under way in
several cities of the Middle West.
The outlook Cor winter business in
Washington is bright. as can be appre-
ciated from the fact that we have
placed this high water order for more
Cabs. Even during the summer months
which Is generally Considered season
of dead loss to the cab business we
have had as many calls as we could
handle with the cabs at our disposal
while at Buffalo l met and talked
with Harry Haupt who drove a Thomas
car in the Grand Prix He shed consid-
cradle light On a subject which has
been Of considerable interest 10 motor
ists-that Is, why the Thomas did not
make better showing in the French
classic.
both Haopt and E. r. Thomas are
more than pleased with the perform
ance Of the car. although it does not
look we'll on paper. The driver takes
the blame on himself in large measure
foS|running the car UP a tree. as he
20 Expresses it." and although l at first
thought this was a joke, according to
Haupt. the machine did give a lifeiike
imitation n performing that very
Stunt The trouble occurred on a mar
row stretch Of road when three cars
were bunchsd and it was Up to Haupt
20 sidet-acl, his machine or take
2 chances OF putting both himself and
another contestant out of the running
With his characteristic sportsmanship
he unhesitatingly ditched the car and
probably saved a life OF two by his
quick headwork-
But it is not generally understood
that we went into that race with little
hope Of winning. but more with the idea
of giving OU- drivers A taste Of racing
against foreign cars. and as an object
lesson 20 ourselves. It was an excellent
opportunity 10 demonstrate any weak
points in the mechanism. and after the
experience gained on foreign shores we
are pretty confident of being well up
among the leaders in the Vanderbilt;
event"
Speculation has been rife regarding
the new Thomas 6-cylinder. Mr.. Thomas.
who experimental with the new model
while in Buffalo, is enthusiastic about
the car.
7 sincerely believe that the new ma
chine is a real sensation. not from the
standpoint Of speed. for 1t is not q
racing machine. but for real service,
hill climbing ability and endurance
qualities l think it is destined to be a
winner" said Mr.. Thomas.
a 6-cylinder car for 5000 does not
startle the imagination at first. but
considered the marvel is. how can It be
done Many OF the fine points of the
well-known Thomas models have beer
incorporated in the makeup Of tbs
newcomer. which is very much like the
big -6O-EOrsepower Thomas model + Ol
this year.
The weight is only 1000 pounds. whict
solves this very serious problem for q
large shaft driven car The excellent
results are due TO severe simplicity and
compactness Of design, and the use o.
the best quality OF nickel. vanadium and
heat treated steels. Two systems of ig
milton are employed. each independent
of the other. A hand hammered alumni
mum body is used on the light six, anC
is similar TO that on the high-price'
ThOmases"
Prospective chafeurs and amateur
drivers are taking advantage of tn,
summer months to bone up" on tn
science of driving. according to report
from the Nickerson Automobile School
which enrolled seventeen new pupils las
week.
Since its inception the Nickersol
school has been popular among thos'