The Washington times., 1908-10-18
Embraced Chance to Demon
Strate Superiority of Amer
lean Made Cars.
MAKER DISCUSSES
AUTO PRODUCTION
Tells How He Developed Idea
Which Resulted in Famous
Thomas Flyer.

Edwin Ross Thomas was the only
American who had the enterprise 10
enter IN competition agai1Sl the best
automobiles Europe could produce, a
common stock car selected only six
days before the start OF the famous
New York-Paris race, which he won
from the German Protos, the nearest
competitor, by the wide margin Of
tWenty-six days.
Mr. Thomas IS a man somewhat be-
low medium stature, very nervous and
energetic, always ready with a pleasant
word for this or that one, but usually
retiCent regarding his personal affairs
unless started on his best hobby, the
Thomas Flyer He is the head OF the
enormous plant bearing his name, the
+. r. Thomas Motor Company. Of Buff
falo. n. Y, giving his entire attention
TO it even 10 the smallest details. which,
in a plant Of that size. are numberless.
To the question Of how and why he
had the confidence 10 enter the race. he
said.
My reasons for entering the race
and feeling confident that we would
win are largely a matter Of progression,
and condensed are:
Started with Bicycles.
Tn 1S95-Is99 we were making bicycles.
which were confessedly superior to any
thing the foreign manufacturer could
produce. the healthy growth Of our
business giving evidence OF what the
American public thought OF our
| bicycles.
In lgO4-l905 we advertised we were
trying 10 make the best automobile IN
| the wcrld-and business was splendid
In 1905-I9O6 we published compare
| tive details with foreign cars. which
/ proved that we combined more efficient
details than any other car.
Duplicates Foreign Model.
Having purchased a foreign car in
1 1927 and duplicating the same in our
I factory, 7 -.und that our car was as
/ fast, as sing, and as good in every
way, proving cOnClusively 10 my mind
/ that American mechanics were at lesst
/ equal 10 those abroad, and I went into
/ the business on a smale scale. Agair
! visiting abroad in 1904 when foreign de-
signs were greatly changed and Justly
superior 70 American designs. which
/ had great horizontal motors, / found
/ the foreign manufacturers were using
Z
/ then realized that superiority had be-
! come a question Of design and work
manshlp. 7 soon got the design right
and then II was solely a question OF
American workmen on American tools
/ getting more than twice the wages OF
I his foreign competitor. having comfort
/ able homes, and eating meat or any
/ thing else that he wanted, believing he
# e. -r
on earth. versus the cheap foreign
workmen. distinctly held down in ar
I inferior class with scarcity Of what
I we regard as the necessities Of life.
! Having only one object in view. re-
liability. I then entered Thomas cars
+ IN every race that I could, as the strair
/ and impact Of high speed, especially or
( the common roads. is the severest q
which an automobile can be subjected
/ and very sure to develop weakness, il
any.
Wins Sweeping Victories.
I'VE soon began &c win. and probably
/ won more records during that peri".
/ than any two cars OF any other m--,t
/ combined, including the last one by N
. amateur driver and private owner
We won every Glidden tour entered
! three. We won and stiH hold the non
stop record Of twenty-One day, thret
hours, and twenty-'.ine minutes, mad,
/ in the severest part Of winter.
When the New York-Paris race wa
/ conceived. I refused all Overtures e
/ enter, believing the trip impossible. bu
when l found that five foreign car:
were actually going TO start, I believed
I It 10 be a reflection on the American
/ industry TO have five foreign cars eros!
America at the severest time OF tn,
I year IN the severest endurance race II
which reliability was the determining
/ factor. and made one entry 4 stock
/ car in course OF shipment TO Gus
toner was selected without other me
/ chanical test or preparation
/ The story OF the race and how 4
/ was won Is we'll known to the world
/ and I need not recapitulate IL here