The Washington times., 1909-08-22
Death List During Indian
apoliS Contest Brings
Condemnation.
DEATH LIST TOTAL
FOR MEET is SEVEN
Many Experts Believe Limit of 100
Miles Should Be Placed on
Future Events.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Aug. 2e--''Nev-
sr again viii one Of our cars be en-
tered in race. We are through with
The game. 1t is not worth half the
price"
Mindful of the gruesome record Of
the last three days of the speed carni-
val. with its total of six deaths, A. g
Newly. first vice president of the new
motor speedway, the opening OF which
the carnival inaugurated, and an Off
clai Of the National Automobile Com
pany. whose car caused three Of the
fatalities, made this unequivoeal state
nent today. Tt is probable, according
10 officials here today, that hereafter
there viii be no races for more than 100
miles sanctioned by the A. A, A.
It was in the 50o-mile race. the event
Of the carnival, that the National car,
making full speed. suffered a bursGed
lire, ran into the crowd, killed three
turn, the right front tire burst. The
car was driven by Charles MeTZ. II mad
made more tlan 200 miles, when on a
turn, the right front time burst. The
car turned turtle and pinned Merz under
il. He was uniajureH by miraculous
coed fortune. Clauoe Kellum, his
Inechanician, was mortally injured and
died later
Homer toilette. OF Trafalgar. Ind.
and James West, of Indianapolis. speC-
tators, we're killed by the overturned
machine or By the fleeing crowd.
Limit May Be 100 Miles
Mr.. Newby's statement today and the
practical assurance that the longest
distance race win hereafter be but 100
miles. came, therefore. at the cOnclu-
sion Of a week Of accidents. Not long
after the fatal crash of the National
machine the Marmon car, driven by
Bruce Reene in the same race. ran
into the post Of an overhead bridge
and Keene was painfully but not seri-
ously injured. His mechanician also
suffered several cuts and bruises.
According to the figures given out
today there were $3.50 admissions to
the speedway yesterday, a record
breaking crowd which witnessed rec
undertaking races and record-break-
ing accidents. The ATTENDANCE Thurs
day was 1890 and on Friday 22,O00.
On the abandonment Of the fatal
sOO-mile race. 5. 3. Stevens. the referee.
gave out the following decision:
Owing to the physical condition Of
the contestants who had been subject
TO the strain Of three DAYS race meet
under trying climatic conditions, / deem
Il 70 the best interest Of the entrants
and spectators TO abandon the race.
Therefore. I rule no race and 40
swards.
Recommends Certificates.
Memorandum: In conclusion, how
sveT. 1 recommend 20 the management
Of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ana
20 the donors ot the trophies that suit
ably engraved certificates of perform
ance be presented 10 ali contestants in
active participation in this event at the
time OF its abandonment, and that they
be signed by the management Of the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway. the
donors. and the referee"
While no official OF the A A A.
here today would make a statement in
that capacity, Frank B. Hover. Of Buff
1slO. chairman Of he contest board,
said:
Accidents are likely to happen in any
kind OF race and cannot be foreseen.
Every possible pTecaution is always ia
ken 10 prevent them and the disasters
AZ Indianapolis are greatly 70 be de-
pioTed. Still they were accidents Dura
and simple and no special blame can
be attached TO anyone. II is hoped that
such may be avoided in future contests %
IN addition to the probable distance
Limitation il seems likely nov that other
restrictions. tending TO safeguard life i'm
motor races, VIII grow out Of the death
record Of the week.
List of Fatalities.
Following is a list Of the six fatalities
OF the meeting
CLIFFORD Literal, twenty-seven
years old, Dayton, Ohio. mechanician on
a StOddard Dayton car, struck by big
racing car on the Wav 10 the speedway
on Tuesday Died Thursday In Netho-
dist Hospital
WILLIAM A BOURQUE. twentv-si,x
years old, Springfield. Mass, driver Of
Knox car, killed in 250mile race Thurs.
day when car turned turtle
HARRY HOLCOMB, twenty-five years
old. Springfield, Mass, mechanician of
Knox car, killed with Bvurque.
CLAUDE X r I. l. u 81 Indianapolis.
mechanician on National car. killed in
5o0-mile race yesterday. when tire on
MeTz's machine burst and racer dashed
through fence
HOMER H. JOLLIFF, twenty years
old, Franklin. Ind, spectator. killed
when National car went through fence
JAMES WEST, Twenty-Five years old.
@5l West Merrill street. indianapolis.
killed when National car went through
fence
ELMER CHAMPION. six-year-oId
boy. was killed Thursday by Dr. Clark
A. DAYS automobile. while he was driv-
Ing Sc 10 the speedway 20 witness the
first DAYS races.
Merz Near Collapse.
Today Merz was on the verge OF ner-
vous collapse from his experience of
yesterday. His bruises were severe and
ne is sore and stin, bat Is expected 90
be all right IN few DAYS. In discuss
ing the accident this morning Merz
said.
i think I am the iuckiest man on
earth this day. As soon as my tire
blew cut I knew / would have 90
check nay speed. but IL was all so quicl,
I was hefuiesr and had IL bean anv