Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-18
COL. FENNER TO
USE BLACK BESS
FIGHT ON IN AUTOMOBILE
ASSOCIATION
LOS ANGELES TO PHOENIX RACE
IN DISPUTE
Association Members Declare They
viii Not Enter Cars Unless
Fenner Joins the AS
ISOLATION

rhe controversy that developed last
week over the prospective entries in
the Los Angeles to Phoenix automobile
race promises to bring about one of the
most interesting fights in Los Angeles
automobile circles.
The entire trouble hinges on the
entry of Col Fenner, who a year ago
won the cup offered by the Maricopa
club for the best time made between
Los Angeles and Phoenix.
Shortly after winning the cup, Col
Fenner withdrew from the Southern
California Automobile Dealers associa-
tion, and it is this point that has start
ed the controversy.
Col Fenner claims that, for reasons
which he will not make known. he will
not rejoin the club, and the attitude
of the club is that the entries in the
Phoenix race should be by club mem-
bers only.
Col. Fenner Objects
At the meeting held in the office of
Leon I. Shelter last week it was
stated that the club would not coun-
tenance the run unless every entry
was a member of the club. George
Purdy Bullard, representative of the
club who was present at the meeting,
stated that all that was desired was
successful run, although he urged Col.
Fenner to obviate any impending
trouble by joining the association.
Col. Fenner takes the stand that as
winner of last years race he has the
right to run his car independently,
while Mr.. Shelter announced that he
would not enter his car unless every
entry was representative of the as
sociation.
The outcome promises to be interest
ing, for Col. Fenner. in letters to the
president of the Automobile club and
to the Maricopa club, has outlined his
position.
viii Enter Black Bess
He insists that he will enter car
regardless of what action the automo-
ollie club will take, and invites the op-
portunity of having his entry fee re-
jected.
s Entries for the race will close Octo-
ber 18th, and it is expected that at
least ten cars will compete.
In last years race there was but
four entries, but from the spirit showed
at the meeting last week 1T is evident
that more owners will try for the COW
eted cup.
The Maricopa club will offer this year
a purse OF SlOUU ana Will also arrange
race to be entered only by cars fin
ishing the Los Angeles to Phoenix run.
In addition meet will be arranged
for the benefit of the Phoenix motor
lists.
States Position
The following letter of Col. Fenner,
who won the race last year with
"Black Bess," explains the attitude of
the first year winner, the letter having
been written after the meeting at
Shelters garage last week:
George Purdy Bullard, President
Maricopa Automobile Club Phoenix,
Ariz.-Dear Sir: You were present at
an informal meeting of the probable
contestants in the Los Angeles to
Phoenix race held yesterday. The SEN
timents expressed at this meeting by
l.. T. Shelter must convey to you con-
cusively that the Los Angeles Auto
mobile Dealers association, when in
fluenced by Mr.. Shelter, will, beyond
the question of a doubt, discriminate
against me and the White Steam car in
the Los Angeles to Phoenix race.
/ most fully appreciate the embar-
RAISING position that you are placed in
by their action. You have practically
guaranteed the people of Phoenix an
other race. They have guaranteed you
prizes for the winners and so forth.
Ou realize ana appreciate tne eA-
pense and work 1 went to last year.
You have tried to create a condition
whereby the winner of the race this
year would be in a measure reimbursed
for his pains and trouble.
1 know you feel that l should not be
barred out. 1 know you would be in
favor of giving me chance to COM
pete, especially considering the fact
that / now occupy the position of the
winner. However, Notwithstanding all
these facts and your kindly feelings
for me, / know that it is up to you
to give the people of Phoenix a good
race and a good afternoons entertain
ment. / cannot furnish it and the
dealers can.
The dealers have practically told you,
or will tell you, to bar me and the
White Steam car out of this race, or
they will not enter their machines, so
the only thing for you to do is to ac-
cede to their wishes, as they have the
machines and they can give you a fine
afternoons entertainment. I consider,
of course, that the dealers are treating
me with gross injustice and not at all
in a sportsmanlike manner, but they
are strong and / am weak. They have
the power to create these conditions,
and / am not strong enough to change
them; in other words, l am the under
dog.
am going to ask you not to consider
either me or the White Steam car in
any way as a stumbling block to you
or vour Mans OF course, / shall want |