Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-01
AUTO DEALERS
HOLD MEETING
ANNUAL ROAD RACE HOLDS
CENTER OF STAGE
"AUToFEsT" is APPROVED AND A
DATE is FIXED
Hollywood Road Races Will Not Be
Held Under Auspices of Associa-
ton, but Would Receive
Its Sanction

An unusually we'll attended special
meeting of the Automobile Dealers as
ISOLATION of Southern California, held
last evening in the offices of w. II,
Bush, resulted in a number of inn
portant matters being discussed and
laid over until next Wednesday or IN
their final disposition.
One much discussed matter-the pro-
posed road race to be held at Holly
wood during the floral festival on
Decoration day-was adversely acted
upon, In so far as official connection
of the association with the race is
concerned. The dealers felt that other
matters were too pressing upon their
time and too numerous to permit or
their fathering the proposed race. They
did decide, however, that any automo-
bile races held in this connection
would be sanctioned by the association,
thus permitting of any dealers enter
ing the races, should the Hollywood
management decide to arrange a race
program independent of the associa-
ton,
Annual Road Race Cup
The most discussed feature of the
meeting was the annual road race of
the association, or rather that phase
of it which had to do with the report
of the committee appointed to select
course for the race.
This committee consists of Leon t.
Shelter as chairman, Ralph c. Ham
lin and William r. Ruess. Shelter
and Ruess are as a unit in favoring
the so-called Lankershim-Bu Burbank
course, in the San Fernando valley,
having, reduced every detail of the
course, including cost and probable
profits to the association, to paper
basis, and these two members of the
committee made their report indorsing
the course. Mr. Hamlin is a. strong
contender for the so-called Santa
Monica course, however, and gave his
verbal reasons for favoring it. He was
not prepared, however, to exhaust the
possibilities of the proposed course
favored by him in the detailed manner
that the majority of the committee
had done, and the matter went over, a
special meeting for Wednesday night
next having been decided upon to per-
nit of this minority report including
Necessary details, being filed.
Members Are Divided
The association members are appar-
entity closely divided in their advocacy
of the two courses and an interesting
discussion is expected at the next
meeting. The chief opposition to the
Santa Monica course on the part of
the majority of the committee is that
portion of the proposed speedway be-
ing within the city limits of that city.
No argument appears to be raised as
to the desirability of the road itself
for fast work, but the alleged mad
equacy of the policing facilities is
said to be an invitation for some Sc
rious fatalities at various points along
the course.
Autofest Is Approved
The "autofest" proposed by L. G..
Conwell again came up in the shape
of a report of the committee appoint
ed to investigate it's Possibilities, the
committee heartily favoring the novel
idea and proposing September IS as
the initial date of the outdoor show,
which would run two weeks Ascot
park was also recommended as the
place to hold the "autofest." In the
event that present plans mature, Mr..
Conwell will undoubtedly be asked to
assume entire control of the scheme,
as he is most acquainted with the
finer details which would enter into
it's success, the idea having originated
in his very fertile brain.
The resignation of H. o. Harrison
from the secretaryship of the associa-
ton was read and accepted, and Presi-
dent Bush Immediately appointed Mr..
Conwell as his successor to fill the I'M
expired term,