The San Francisco call., 1909-05-23
RECORD BREAKERS
HAVE HARD Time
Racing AutOmObiIiSts Encounter
Trouble During Their
Fast Runs
Wagon Driver Takes Wrong
Side OF Road and Comes
to Grief
BY r. r. FHoMMEDIEU


II was an exciting day with the
record breakers yesterday. At-3 a. m.
Fernando Nelson sent away the big 20
horsepower Thomas on its endeavor TO
lower his record 10 Los Angeles. The
car had hardly reached san Jose before
tire trouble developed and the trip was
given up. Two hours after the big
Thomas shot away down this side of
the bay the speedy tourist with Z V.
Ely and Gordon Murray abroad left
oakland IN an attempt TO lower the
record around the bay. They made a
good run down to and passing through
the Gish road. At the point where it
turns into the road that leads TO the
,ylotel Vendome. the car suddenly came
non a man driving team. Ely had
ackened his speed to less than 20
miles an hour as the view at the turn
the driver of the team instead of hold
ing 10 his side OF the road pulled to
The left directly in front of the car
Ely was swinging wide on the turn to
prevent lust such an accident. 1t was
impossible 10 stop the momentum Of
the car, and il shot into the wagon
svrecking two Of the wheels and throw
ing the driver from his seat to the
steering wheel Of the automobile. The
onlv damage to the automobile was
puncture in the radiator
Ely later in the day returned TO the
city with his car. While Ely was haV-
.ng his exciting experience in san Jose
the officials who were doing the timing
had their own troubles. After start
ing them on the other side of the bay
II was A rush to get across and out TO
The beach so as TO be on time to be at
the finish. In going through the park
they shot around a turn and came near
colliding with a mounted policeman
who placed them under arrest Tor speed
ing
wheel. A. c. Leonard OF ". d. Newerf
rubber company. agents for the GOOD
xesr tires: Hazlett L. Pelton, manager
Of the northern territory of the Auto
vehicle company, manufacturers OF the
Tourist car and ". J. Kenny of J. w.
Teaxitt company They informed the
officer Of the necessity of their getting
TO the beach in a hurry, and he tod
them after they were through 10 re-
port 10 the Park station.
A
other automobiles carrying friends who
had come out 10 see the finish. 1hese'
when tbev heard that Pelton and his
PARTY had fallen into the clutches OF
The law. were most profuse IN their
consultations
In fact, il was a procession that
zrended its way at a gait thoroughly
&, accordance with the speed laws of
, ne park back to Stanyan street. Here
every one went into the police station
IN see TO what extent the arrested
PARTIES were 10 be made to suffer one
of the party IN the car asked the ser
sreant at the desk If the officer dressed
i'm gray in the park had been in me
sergeant very automatically answered
mo-" inasmuch as there are over nVe
mounted police in the park, The ques-
tfoner heaved a sigh. rear faced and
marched for the door followed by ali
The others. AS they disappeared into
the street the sergeant inquired II
he could do anything for them, 10
which all hands murmured softly the
same no" Later in the day Gordon
was notified that he would have to
appear in the police court Monday
and show cause why he should not be
punished for speeding.
statements have been made locally
and in the southern part Of the state
-. D.oord the automobile club
VFp"s RresI.Snp of Santa Barbara
:. @.;.i is opposed to the
interests of auto
MODELLING. The foundation for this
statement is the fact that the club has
made several attempts to put stop
10 speeding between Santa Barbara and
Los Angeles on account of the danger
10 life and property.
AS matter Of fact the club is ready
and willing 10 further the interests Of
the dealers in every way, ana is not
opposed 10 record breaking if conduct
"a in the right way Assistance viii
lent by the club in procuring per-
missions and publicity. and IN patrol
ling the route. but il is opposed TO care
less and reckless driving The mem
hers state that they are opposed to
dealer. starting It any time without
\ warning Of any kind, in car TO
break a record. although he may be
ready and willing to pay the fines. The
time usually chosen for these events
5s early in the morning. which brings
Athem 10 the most dangerous point on
the time that the farmers are in mo-
tion and most touring automobiles are
on their way TO Los Angeles.
The pass is known 70 motorists as
one Of the most dangerous in the state.
il is q narrow mountain road, wind
ing in and out and up and down grades,
over which IL is hardly. possible to
travel at a greater speed than i or
. -,sles an hour. At that rate &C
record could be broken. From a men,
Der Of the club comes a letter in which
he says.
IF the dealers desiring advertise
ment If the owners OF speeding cars,
viii get together, decide on a day and
make the proper arrangements, we
VIII be glad TO help. One or more days
of the year suitable warnings, policing
Of the roads and proper authorization.
viii not only furnish more publicity,
promote better feeling and legalize the
contests, but every inhabitant along
the route will line the fences and cheer
the contestants.
w. +. Wood, after touring with
his family from their home in Chicago
:. to the Pacific coast
Rough Trip ~ ll ms BUCK W nlte
. -... + r G s CO last
we Elk for the
Windy City and was the first autOmo-
bilist this season TO succeed in cross
ing the Sierras; but this was not ac-
cOmplished without some hardships and
many thrilling incidents. In a letter to
the Howard automobile company Wood
gives a graphic and interesting de-
scripti0n Of the car plowing its way
through the deep snow Of the noun
IA the trails ia &uanV places being