Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-26

eigners wer loud in their praise of the garages which were put at
their disposal.
At Omaha the world racers were fitted by the M. E. Smith COM
pany with furLined clothing, which they were to wear in the cold
regions of the north, where Peary and Cook have been trudging for
some time. These warm garments were put to use. although the
racers turned back before they reached Alaska. Many cold miles
were traversed in Siberia.
older heads prevailed and the trip was finished, although it is stated
in many quarters that the trip will have to be under different aus
Gltdden tour s far as a stop was concerned, the motorists preferring
instead to stop in Council Bluffs Most of the tourists spent the
evening in Omaha, although forced to leave their machines In the
city across the river.
Only last week the autoists of Kansas City decided that the best
roads in the world could be found by making a run to Omaha and
Wednesday night $50 enthusiastic automobile men from Kawvfle
were camped under the hospitable roofs of Omaha hostelries. That
as many of the good roads might be enjoyed a IS possible a run was
made all around the city. the tourists circlng from Ashland to Free
mont and thence to Blair and then into Omaha.
Automobiles have done a vast amount of good in forcing the au-
thorites to improve the roads in and around Omaha. Automobiles
and the inheritance tax have given drivers OF Omaha as fine a conec-
ton of suburban roads as IRE at the disposal of any community. In
every direction from Omaha for distances OF from tel 20 twenty-five
miles splendid macadam roads stretch their white ways into the
country. and r ready at all times for the owner who delights in a
spin In the fresh ar which the country districts afford To the north
are several roads and the driver may take his choice of the Ponca
hill, the bottom road Or the highline. Any of these will land the
tourist into Calhoun.
To the west the driver has the choice of the old Military road.
made famous years ago a s the route of the 40 pulling out for the gold
fields of California. The course of this road has been changed but
little for years, although 1t has been graded and surfaced with brick
and maeadam pavements.
Then there is the Dodge street road, the course of many a auto
mobile and bicycle race. The pavement on this road has been e.
tended untn It now reaches almost to Elkhorn. A little farther
south the Center street road may be used, and on this the seeker for
pleasure may find a splendid drive all the way from Omaha to NIL
lard.
To the south a good pavement leads down Twentyfourth street
to South Omaha and on to Albright, and IL the road be dry the rider
may continue his journey to Fort Crook. one Of the finest posts main
tanned by Uncle Sam. This is the home of the Sixteenth infantry at
present and here may be seen the beautiful dress parades and the
band concerts may also be enjoyed any pleasant afternoon.
Council Bluffs has finally awakened and has repaired the road
between the heart of the city and the Douglas street bridge. This
is one of the finest automobile drives around Omaha. Although the
pavement does not extend from curb to curb, there is a twelvefoot
brick drive on each side Of the road over the entire route without a
bump to mar the pleasure Of the ride.
When electric cars were first built they we're not adapted to hills
and could not be used to advantage in Omaha, where there are many
and steep grades. The factories soon saw that a car was needed
that could climb the hills and it was but a short time until a change
was made in the style of the car, so that it not only had more power,
but the battery was s balanced that the hills did not so materially
affect its mechanism.
Automobiles have also been instrumental in having much Of
the repairing of streets which Ia o noticeable Of late. AS a rule a
man who owns a n automobile is quite an influential parsonage and
when a protest comes from any very large number of owners it ia
sure TO have weight The routes which are most freQuented by au-
tomobIists in Omaha n kept in good repair the year around.
whereas it was but a few years ago that some of the principal streets
OF the city were really a fright and almost impossible. Times have
changed. Not only are the outlying streets kept IN good repair, but
this year will see the repaying of nearly all the downtown streets,