New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-08
COFFIN OUTLINES WORK
PLANS OF COMMITTEE.
NJ. Il. c. Body to Meet an Indianap-
oLis-Autoists Interested.

All important meeting OF the general rules COM
mittee OF the Manufacturers Contest Association
has been called II will be held at Indianapolis
August 1s 70 and q. during the initial races the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Howard f.
Coffin, chairman of the general rules committee OF
the Manufacturers Contest Association. has out
lined the important work to be taken up ar the
meeting, as follows
TO lack OF proper preparation. rather than 10
inferior mechanical excellence can be ascrtbed
nearly all the humiliating performances of Araeri-
can built cars when entered in international CON
tests All of US. importers and American manu-
facturers WELL are prone to excuse poor per-
formance upon the part OF our cars. whether the
event be local, national international, upon the
ground that we did not have sufficient time at some
stage of he game TO get either our organization or
our cars into proper shape for the competition.
This condition OF chronic 'unpreparedness can,
In the case Of the American manufacturer be
ascribed partially TO a lack of attention given
such matters on account Of the pressure exerted in
other lines directly associated with the producing
and commercial ends.
Many times in the past particularly in the case
of events of national of considerable local i'm
portance insufficient notice as to date and condi-
tiens upon which and under which a contest is to
be run has been given to those who have been
asked TO support the event with entries. The
Manufacturers Contest Association embracing
within It's membership those American manufactur-
ers and American importers of foreign cars who
believe firmly in the value of that class of pub
properly governed and properly conducted motor
car contests Of every kind. has since It's founda-
ton IN Chicago last February taken many steps
toward the elimination of the chaotic conditions
pertaining TO contest matters
From the beginning TIE work of this organiza-
ton. has been aimed toward the elimination Of the
causes of the trouble rather than the appl-
cation OF cure to each individual complaint The
removal Of the causes that have gone TO encourage
The old excuse Of If We had only had another
weeks time is certainly not the least of the sew
eral lines of work mapped out by the Manufacture
ers' Contest Association
The constitution and bylaws of the organization
can TOT meeting of the general rules committee
each year in August. Upon this general rules
committee are the representatives Of twenty-five
OF these concerns-manufacturers and importers
VINO nave shown the greatest activity in contest
matters during the last two years This meeting
Is scheduled this year at indianapolis upon the
dates of August Is. 20 and 81.
AT this meeting will be discussed by the mem
bers Of this committee all recommendations re-
garding the rules, changes IN rules cIasshcations
etc. Tor 1910 All changes suggested by the actual
experiences of the present season will be consid-
ereo The 1909 rules of the contest board of the
american Automobile Association the result
" the combined efforts Of the general rules COM
miitee Of the Manufacturers Contest Association
the contest board OF the American Automobile As
ISOLATION and the advisory committee OF the
manufacturers Contest Association representing
this body upon the contest board
In september Immediately following the August
meeting OF the general rules committee and as 4
direct result OF the findings of this committee an
nouncement will be made as to the changes IN the
present governing rules and classifcations ac-
conpanled by the publication by the contest board
OF the American Automobile Association Of the
annual rule book. wherein will be covered all con-
ditions governing motor events to be held be-
tween the dates of January and December 81
1870 At the time will be published a COM
plete schedule giving the approximate date and all
necessary information pertaining to each and every
contest OF Importance which is to be run during
the of 1910.
The Manufacturers Contest Association does
not control contests either local. national or in
ternatonal In all national affairs this association
recognizes the direct and supreme control of the
contest board of the American Automobile Asso-
citation.
Printed blanks have already been sent out from
the secretary's office OF the Manufacturers Con-
test Association. to those manufacturers and i'm
porters enrolled members. and upon these blanks
being sent in the suggestions which will out
line the attitude of the majority upon all items of
national and international Importance All recon-
mendatons upon international matters will after
discussion AT the August meeting. be transmitted
formally to the Automobile Club of America and
will later. through its delegates. be presented at
the international conference abroad.
Among the important subjects 10 be dis
cussed in Indianapolis the following
u. Recommendations to changes in the cass.-
fcations and weights for the 1910 season
-. Changes TO be recommended the contest
board for the American Automobile Association
rules 1910.
3. The possibility Of the support by the Manu-
facturers' Contest Association of impartial and
thoroughly capable technical COMMITTEES which
shall serve at all competitive contests.
a The arrangement Of definite and logical
schedule OF all important contests for the season
'5. National events How many shall be sup
ported, and of what character?
&c. International events How many shall be sup
ported. and Of what character?
l. Endurance contests. Action 10 be taken on
the recommendation made by the National AssO-
citation Of Automobile Manufacturers that onlv
endurance contest be scheduled f0r any one
be supported by manufacturers entries.
IS. Road racing versus track events on specially
circumference.
20. Shall racing upon existing mile and half-miIe
horse tracks be comtenanced or supported in any
way?
10 A standard electrical timing device for the
elimina ton of human error in the timing OF all
important speed events.
III, A satisfactory definition of the term stock
car
~ Steps to insure the enforcement o. the ruIa
governing the character OF the publicity matter
employed by any maker covering the performance
of his cars in any contests. All such publicity
must be In accordance with the facts
ID a formula for the proper comparison of the
performances OF steam and Gasolene automobile
motors"
MOTOR BOAT CHAMPIONSHIP RACES.
Boston. Aug. THE Charles River Basin was
lively with motor boats this afternoon. when the
weather conditions were excellent for the third
nual for the motor boat championship of New
England The little boats pulled over the course
OF ia miles in three classes but despite the calm
no record brAaS times yVara mad