New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-14
Mr.. Billings Nos0 Worries Along
With Only Sex,e,,feer Motor Cars

ssecrets of automobile construction and the
points Of superiority of the leading makes.
He is partial to the French types. and the
chassis OF each car is bought III Paris,
while the tonneau or limousine is made IN
New York often according to an individual
design which is not reproduced in any other
, car. Mr. Billings gives close attention 10
the car throughout the process.
When II is finished however. at cost OF
: from $1,000 TO $4,000, the owners interest
/ in its fortunes wanes. Except for an occa-
sional trial spin of a few minutes in new
car he never takes the drivers seat, but
uses his cars TO 90 about the city or the
country like any other wealthy man. by
! far the greater part Of the use the Billings
automobiles get is in the service OF his
many friends. And on the rare occasions
when the cars are pushed up to their high
est speed. il is to please his friends and
not to please the owner himself
But whether he goes out in a car or not.
not a dav goes by when Mr.. Billings is in
New York that he does not call a fash
ionable boarding stable and take out che OF
his horses for an hour or two in the saddle.
Rain or shine he is prompt at the door at
10 o'clock and his horse is ready for him.
often il is one of his trotters. few years
ago Mr. Billings revived the old custom OF
riding trotting horses to saddle a custom
of whic!: he is q stout defender Those who
have tried il say that the experience is
more like riding an old-fashioned high bi-
cvcIe down a fire escape than anything else
However. Mr. Billings has covered mile
in this fashion astride trotter quicker
fhan many horses with considerable local
fame have ever gone the distance with
sulky behind them.
It Is Il move! type of automobile en-
thusiast. 20 be sure-a man who does not
drive his own cars. does not speed, and
gives away his best machines TO his friends.
If lis actions are those OF Roman pa
trician, his manners are nose OF 2 modest
country gentleman.
on he's a prince, ono Of his friends
said .n1iIllsja sticsny Hes u quiet, even
tempered reserved sort OF chap, frank and
,,ieasa.lt % erybody. but never talking
about himself cr his own affairs There
v,s a great deal OF talk about his taking
up automobiling when he sold his stable
after tn Lou Dillon affair three years ago.
You remember Lou Dillon, who trOtted the
fastest mile on record, 1:5Sl., with wind
shield vas beaten by Major Delmar in a
,-aca 10, m. Memphis Gold cup IN 1904.
- vas the i7;rd race, each horse had won
,,.e leg or The cup, and il 'vcnt TO Major
Delnar. who was owned by L. Z. Smath-
ers.
Billings was duped into believing thai
Lou Dillon had been 'doped,' and charges
were brought against Smathers by the
Memphis association. which was controlled
by Billings friends. The case fell fiat
and Il was ii great bio" 20 Billings, for II
i.ut him ia bad light. Nobody dreamed
uf susueciine that he originated such a
charge bu. he had certainly taken some
mighty bad advice, and he felt that he had
made himself ridiculous. Soon aftcrward
he sold off "A number Of his horses. though
he has kept several of them. Lou Dillon
herself IS still his. Money wouldn't buy
her one of her foals vas entered in the
Grand Circuit races this year. 1t was then
that lie began buying automobiles and Civ
ing them away right and left.
Many horszmcn viii not forgive Billings
for being The sort Of amateur that he is.
lie wouid race for a cigar or for a So 0hD
mp, but not for money His horses ha&c necr
inferred ia Il f'.W races IN which llere We're
ASH ai4..cs. a.n Gre als always given away
LIS ~iaajrss. ".on Re followed ,Hat ..Iic
IA C,:n'any aud Russia during his IL.
"a i,aH lour last SanuI,G. 81 caused d great
deal Uf comment CFtr there. / remember