New-York tribune., 1910-09-25
BY a. r. pardineton.

The entire southern portion Of the course
--e- which will be run motordon great
a. +,-o s,eed battles. the Vanderbilt Cup
-ec. and the Grand Prize race Is known
&C .he Long Island Motor Parkway-the
o,1x roadway I'm the world built and de-
voted exclusively to motor vehicles
The parkway was inaugurated a rae
ting course in October. 1903, whereon for all
t,-,e without breaking any laws and with
safety 10 cortenders and spectators. motor
vehicles may be driven in competition OF
for -,less7Jre From the beginning this
famous motor speedway and parkway has
meant much for the advancement Of the
American automobile industry because of
the competitions and tests for racing cars
and stock cars held over its dustless
cement road surface. The parkway has
solved the problem of q safe and lawful
speed arena and Il has been the school Of
learning for many manufacturers who
heve brought their products 10 a high
rtsndard Of excellence by experience
gained in competitions held on its course
where weak points were brought out after
severe, unrestricted high speed tests.
To William X Vanderbilt. jr.. is due the
credit for the parkway idea. He suggested
such q highway early IN 1904. shortly after
trophy that bears his name and which has
been competed for FIVE times by the naticnE
Of the world
In the fall Of 1905 steps we're taken to de
wise plans for the construction Of private
motor way. or speedway. along the ideas
suggested by Mr.. Vanderbilt. and a com
rrittee OF three. consisting Of w K. Van
oerbilt. II. Jefferson De Mont Thompson
and the writer. appointed by the
American Automobile Association to under
take the task. The committee called
general conference Of wealthy and inf1u-
ential Long Island residents TO assist in or
ganizing q company 70 finance and carry
out the project 70 q successful conclusion
This conference. which was held in New
York on October 1& 1905 was attended by
August Belmont, W. X Vanderbilt, ir-,
Ralph Peters Levi {. Weir. Commodore
Frederick G Bourne H. X Burras. ". G.
Mckdoo Anton G. Hodenpyl. Dave Hennen
Morris r Pardington. jefferson De
Mont Thompson, Dean Alvord and Colgate
Eovt The unanimous opinion of those
present at the conference was that Long
Island was the logical site for the proposed
highway, that the highway should be used
as toll road by all automoblists. that
the future Of automobile racing was of
secondary importance. that the highway
should have its western terminus at the
New York City line, connecting with the
boulevard system. and that it should have
tts eastern terminus at Riverhead
Permanent organization was effected al
q meeting held on November 10. 1906 al
which W. X. Vanderbilt jr-, who was the
leading spirit in the undertaking. was
elected president. Harry Payne Whitney
was elected vioe-president and Jefferson
De Mont Thompson treasurer The Long
Island Motor Parkway was incorporated at
Albany on December 3. 1905. with
thorized capitalization of s2.5eo.oco The
writer was elected second vice president
and general manager.
Construction work on the parkway was
started on June 6. 1905 near Central Park.
Long Island. and this unique and great un-
der1alOng has progressed with wonderful
strides That same year ten miles Of the
roadway. extending from Meadow Brook
Hunt Club 10 Bethpage, was completed.
Another section ten miles in length ex-
tending from the hunt club TO Lake Sue
cess. was opened TO the public last June,
ard only few DAYS ago was announced
the opening Of an additional strip Of road
way twenty-five miles long, extending all
the way to Lake Ronkonkoma.
Thus forty-fve miles OF magnificent road
travel over the course with absolute safety.
without regard 10 speed limits or police
traps and without having 10 eat the other
fellows disturbed real estate" There are
70 grade crossings on the entire course.
and the adjoining roads 10 the parkway
lead to all parts of the island. Great credit
is due TO z. G. Williams and z. H Brown.
the engineers who successfully carried out
their part OF the undertaking.
Now that the parkway is opened through
10 Lake Ronkonkons, thousands of motor
lists will travel over its ideal course and
wonder al its unusual scenic splendors.
which 10 many viii be g revelation The
western terminus. south of Great Neck
opposite Lake Success. is within a mile Of
the Queens Borough line while the eastern
terminus is at Lake Ronkonkoma. that
beautiful body Of water which nestles
among the Happsuge (Sweetwater) Hills.
On picturesque site AT Lake Ronkonkoma
is being erected an all the year round inn,
or club. The lake is ideal for summer ana
winter sports such as sailing. fshing.
swimming. skating. scootering. toboggan-
ing. etc. This delightful spot viii be prsc-
tically in the back ward of greater New
YORK and motorists can journey back and
forth in very little time.
The present board Of officers Of the Long
Island Motor Parkway. all Of whom are
actively interested in the great project are
a. follows President ". X Vanderbilt
1r- hrst Tice-president. Harry Payne
v Whitney, second vice-president the writer:
treasurer. x a. Watson. chief engineer.
r. @. Williams. and secretary. r. G Gus
ser.
Every person in America. EuroDe and
many other parts Of the world has heard
OF the Vanderbilt Cup race. 1t is Amer
ioa's famous national classic race in
which The whole general public throughout
the country takes unlimited interest in
has meant much TO the automobile indus
Try and the development OF motor cars TO
tEeir present high state Of efficiency. and
this season S cup race, with its daybresk
start. bids fair 10 outshine all the cup races
OF the past, both in speed and public in
terest, for the sixth contest for the famous
trophy. with nearly forty starters. certainly
Will be hummer" A thumbnsil history
Of t1e classic contest is apropos.
Since us inception there have been five
great speed battles for the handsome silver
trophy. and this prize has played an i'm
portant part in automobile politics on one
or two occasions. Twice the original deed
CT gift has been changed TO make il meet
- H.