The Washington times., 1911-12-29
AUTOMOBILE CLUB
PLANS CHANGES IN
ITS ORGANIZATION
Will Give More Attention to
Promoting Interests of
Motorists.
BY HARRY WARD.

When the Automobile Club of WASH
ington holds it's annual meeting, on
January 6. an effort will be made to
change the form of the organization.
When the club came into existence,
SIX or seven years ago, 1t was designed
as a social organization, and necessarily
Its membership was somewhat restrict
ed. 1t is now believed the time has come
to pattern 1t after the clubs in other
cities which pay little attention to So
cial features. but do effective work in
promoting the interests OF motorists and
espousing the cause of good roads. Sew
eral of the most prominent members of
the club have aroused considerable in
terest In the plan to change the form
or organization. and 1t Is understood
tney nave secured enough support to
nual meeting.
The plan Is to sell the examinations
country home, on Georgia avenue, and
establish an office IN the heart OF the
the work Of the club. as directed by it's
board Of governors. 1t Is proposed to
reduce the dues to IS year, and to
6nng Mg every owner Of an automobile in
the club will look after its members
interests at all times. It is believed a
large membership can be obtained
The Buffalo Automobile Club is q shin
Ing example Of what can be accom-
plished In this direction. It has the dis
tnction of being one Of the largest
motor clubs In the world. and It has
been very effective in correcting many
subjected. Its has promoted many re-
liability contests. and its work in urg-
Ing the construction and Improvement
or the roads in the vicinity of Buffalo
has been Of great value to the motor
lists. 1t is believed the Washington club.
u patterned after the Buffalo organiza
ton, could be equally as effective.
David Bruce Brown. the two-time
winner of the Grand Prize automobile
race, and Ralph DePalma, who Is con-
sidered one of the best American driy-
ers. will sail for Europe tomorrow
Their present intention is to be away
the Continent may induce one or both
to remain for longer time. DePalma
intends to go directly to the Mercedes
sGtery psrts fdr in tse sss
chine which he drove In the Savannah
races. He will use the same car ir
the 5O0-mile race at Indianapolis on Me.
mortal Day. 1912. The alterations he ex.
hopes, of increasing the cars speed
on the brick course. During his visi,
DePalma will look over new forms OF
European construction, especially in the
iiiic VI Win a view 70 cIiuOuy-
ng improvements in the special cars
which he is planning to manufacture
next season. r
Bruce Brown is not certain whether hi.
trip will be on business or as a vacation
II the early entries to the proposed
French Grand Prix are numerous enough
to insure the holding of the race in 1912
he will try to obtain mount in the
race. Otherwise he will spend three oil
four weeks in travel.
Il will probably drive a Fiat car II
the Italian company continues to race
and the Grand Prix is held" saic
| Bruce Brown yesterday. "If the Fla
| company does not race cars next veal
l will try to get a French car of &
prominent make for the race. I hav,
| no idea, however, of the number o.
France that the contest has been aban
doned."