The Washington times., 1909-06-20

AS the big hands on the POStoftiCe
clock pointed TO one. Starter Arthur O.
NeWmyer gave the " ord and car No. J,
Pope Hartford, driven by T. +.
spence, started off TO Great Falls. les
miles away. The other cars followed
in the order in which they were num-
bered at half hinute intervals until all
were on their way.
None OF the contestants knew the
time named by tie Vice President, but
all realized that il must be within the
speed limits, so there was no attempt TO
speed Il up. Every driver reckoned
within the time limit and set his pace
accordingly. In addition 10 lying the
handsome blue and white pennant given
each contestant by The Times, many
Of the machines were gayly decorated
with flags and presented an inspiring
sight as they bowled over the road.
Vice President SheTman's letter to
Arthur @. NeWmyer. in answer TO re-
quest that he name the time. was as
follows.
In compliance with your request to
fix time wi hin which the run Is 10
be made from your office TO Great Falls
on Saturday in The " aShingtOn Times
SoCiability Run, l desire 10 say that 1
have kept in mind the speed regulations,
and l eu We'll aware that the run could
be made ia very much less ttue than l
fix herein. l know that my ideas viii
agree with those of The Times when
say that the ume has been fxed on the
theory of enCOura ging, rather than dis
couraging compliance with the law Up-
on this theory / think the run ought TO
be made "a 54;07 minutes.
'.TruStiag- that this sociability run
VIII bring enjoyment TO all the paTtici-
pants therein and with good wishes to
the promoters Of the affair, 1 am, very
truly yours, J. s. SHERMAN"
What excited the most comment was
the different types of automobiles thar
competed. Runa bouts, roadsters, tour
ing cars. steamers, electr1cs, and even
the irrepressible taXicab we're 10 be
seen.
Inz run of this sort luck plays
prominent part and the taXies ard
eIectrlcs had just as much chance as the
speediest roadsters and touring cars
This was demonstrated when a Thomas
+aXicab was awarded @rst prize and
Two baker electriCs got second and
fourth. The elecIr1os surprised every
one by the way in which they finished
The pilot car was a big White steamer
furnished by the local White branch,
and driven by J. K. Thompson. This
car carried Referee H. Chadwick
Hunter. ana the other officials at the
finish. In the party were = c. Hut
terly and D. Stoner. timers; T. ". Pow
ers and Harry Ward. judges. and
Thomas A Rice
The passing or this car over the route
announced that the big SOeiability Run
was about to begin. and people all along
the road came out TO see the procession
go by Many had copies Of The Times
giving the entrants and their NUMBERS.
y
Arriving at the outer gate. marking
the official end of the Conduit road.
the officials took their positions and
awaited the arrival OF the cars. Mr..
Thompson was impressed into service
and stationed a hundred feet above the
finish line, where he called of the
numbers of the approaching cars. BY
this means the checkers were enabled TO
work quickly when the machines began
TO pile up at the finish.
Car coming" yelled Mr.. Thompson.
and IN a moment Miss Lillian Miller
crossed the line IN a Ford. having
passed four cars on the road.
As fast as the time was taken the cars
We're sent through the gate and parked
/ IN front of the hotel, several hundred
| yards beyond the finish line. Filled
/ with merry parties of pleasure seekers.
the cars pulled up IN front OF the hotel
and unlOaded the passengers. Manv
took occasion to see the falls. and others
rambled along the canal, waiting for
the time to return to the Munsey build
ing to hear the winners announced.
When the last car had checked ir
the officials made a quick return to the
NlInsev building, where the seal on
Vice President Sherman's letter wes
( broken, the time ascertained, and the
work 0f compiling the time made BY
each car was begun.
In the meantime The Times Cup was
on display on a stand in front Of the
Munsey building. and the big crowd
awaited the name OF the winner.