The Detroit times., 1910-08-30
MAYOR HAD CLOSE
CALL IN NEW YORK
Pitched From Auto Going Down
Steep Hill-Home, But Declines
To Discuss Politics.

Mayor Breitmeyer, wearing his GUS
tomary radiant smile, returned home
Monday morning from his 2,4o0-mile
motor trip through the east, accom-
panied by Mrs. Breitmeyer and Mr..
and Mrs. John Gillespie. In spite Oh
his smiling countenance, however, the
mayor considers himself lucky TO be
alive for he firted with death on the
celebrated Fort George hill. just out
OF New York city.
1T Ia q remarkably steep hill and
none OF us knew how dangerous 1t was
until we had started down it and 1t
was then too late to 60 back" related
the mayor. Gillespie slowed down as
much as he could, but at that We were
going at q pretty good clip. Nearing
the bottom we found that the road
took us over narrow railroad cross
ing with a stone wall on one side and
q high curb on the other, but imagine
our predicament when we found that
the way was blocked by an express
wagon and a team OF horses.
Il said to myself, It's all up with
us now for | didn't see how theer
was a possible chance to avoid a
smash. figured that the tongue OF
the wagon would catch me squarely
in the pit of the stomach, SO / pre-
pared to jump. Just as | raised my
self UP in the seat John turned the
machine sharply TO the right to run
It on the sidewalk and | pitched oct
headforemost. Fortunately escaped
with q whole skin, but they say | was
a sight when I picked myself up"
Gillespie's version Is even more
graphic.
"All at once heard Mrs. Brett.
meyer scream, oh, Philip Brett
meyer,' | looked around and The
mayors seat was empty. AS soon as
I could bring the machine to a stop
looked back and there was the mayor
rolling down the hill like ball and
doing better than 20 miles an hour
| thought he would never stop rolling
and IL would have been funny IL the
danger had not been so great 1t was
a great relief when the mayor finally
picked himself up and came hobbling
over to the machine without anything
more serious than a rip In his trous.
ers."
The machine was not damaged in
the slightest and the party was able
to proceed after the mayor had
cleaned up a bit. The rest OF the trip
was made without further incident
The party learned afterwards that
this is the spot famous in automobile
circles and the scene OF many hill
climbing contests.
Mayor Breitmeyer was absolutely
mum on politics and the street car
problem. The mention of William p.
Thompson's name as his opponent Tor
the mayoraity brought only smile.
mo politics today. boys" he said.
GIVE me a chance to dream on these
matters first
The mayor, however, is preparing
TO launch a vigorous campaign i'm
mediately after the primaries. using
the same car In which he took his
vacaticn tour, to cover the city. Water
Commissioner Gillespie, as usual, Will
he his campaign manager.
Both the mayor and Mr.. Gillespie
were greatly impressed with the ex.
cellent road conditions in the east and
the spirit everywhere apparent or
civic cleanliness.
In Massachusetts we found the fin
est roads In the world. said the
mayor we found great stretches OF
road. 100 miles long In some instances,
that we're just as smooth as asphalt
and not particle Of dust was raised.
I'm all the eastern cities there
seems TO be tendency TO clean up
the streets and this was very crafty
irg / secured great many pointers
on my trip which will help me in
h; Milling the problems here as they
corie up Altogether | think il was
the most enjoyable trip have ever
tok.u :"