The San Francisco call., 1909-10-24

CALIFORNIA; highways were proved
yesterday to be about the fastest in the
world. for Jack Fleming. driving No. 4.
a four cylinder 20 horsepower car. won
the Oakland PortoIa automobile road
race Of 25S miles. up and down over
Alameda county. in hours So minutes
and IS seconds. avera ging 64-51 miles
an hour actual running time. That
speed broke the worlds record Of 81. ~
miles. established at Santa Monica, and
that OF the Vanderbilt cup race of e4.42.
The Apperson car. No. 13. driven by
Harris Hanshue. came in second, more
than lap behind the winner and 26
minutes behind in time. while the Lo-
zier car. No. y. Harry Miehener. driver,
came in third, nine minutes later.
WINS PRELIMINARY RACE
The Fleming car also won the first
race OF $50 miles, of which the big
event was continuation. The Stearns
car, No. Is. driven by soules. was sec
ord and the Apperson third. The Ap-
person car won the second race, Of 10
laps or el5 miles, for which Fleming
did not qualify, although his car was
sn the lead at the end Of that lap.
Nichener was second and Soules third.
It would be rash to guess how many
saw the race. The course looped from
the Alameda county road between Mel
rose and Hayward TO the Foothill
boulevard. through the towns Of Mel
rose, san Leandro and Hayward Along
the entire course were ranged specta-
tors, the majority being drawn by NOR
bid impulses TO the most hazardous
points on the loop. There might have
been 100000 people scattered along the
2l miles of the course. Anyway, there
was out the greatest gathering Of spec
fafors that ever saw an automobile
event in the west, and those fortunate
enthusiasts of the bounding machines
saw the speediest road race that ever
was run.
ENHANCES PORTOLA SUCCESS
The race was, another event which
contributed TO the success Of the Por-
toia festival II. was Oakland's part
OF the festival and was the most ex-
citing feature OF the celebration across
the bay
Queen Nergilia did not leave her do
main TO view the contest nor did Don
Caspar de Portola, as automobiles are
a development unknown TO ii Canine
real IN the days of the first governor
OF California and Il might have been
an anachronism had he been a specta-
tor at the show
There was some distinction 10 the
race in the way OF personages. how
ever. United States Senator George c.
perkins and his family viewed the race
from the grandstand. Mayor Mott Of
oakland was on the scene and Charles
ReIshaw was there, not to mention
many other people who motored to the
course
ACCIDENTS MAR CONTEST
There were two serious accidents and.
several minor casualties Peter J.. Nc
Kftfick OF Palvasta avenue Melrose
was struck on the forehead by the
metallic rim Of a sweeping car IN East
Fourteenth street between Palvasta
and Seminary avenues The rim from
the wheel rolled like a hoop into the
crowd Of which McKittrick was one
and while he was trying TO dodge the
thing il struck him on the head He
sustained a concussion Of the brain and
was believed TO be fatally injured.
Otis r Johnson. a 5anitor, residing at
121 Thirteenth street. Oakland. was
struck by the Knox car No. ., driven
by Frank Free The steering gear of
the car became impaired and the ma
chine ran into the crowd. striking
1ohnson to the ground. The mans back