Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-30


of carload lots to agents in this country
or Canada is not a really difficult mat
ter. The autos are rolled into the box
cars, placed in just the proper position
and the shipping crew begins its din OF
hammer and nails, blocking the wheels
the cars to move or jolt during the over
land journey. Four strong blocks OF
hemlock hold each wheel In place. The
load Of cars is then prepared to start on
it's journey.
Charles Merz, the young Hoosier racing
pilot, is rapidly making a place for him
January 1 Merz has won one first and
two seconds in the three long-distance
events in which he entered.
After cleaning up handsomely at the
Los Angeles motordrome Merz entered
the Panama-Pacif1c road races. In this
contest he drove a forty-horsepower car
against some Of the oldest and most ex-
oerienced men in the racing game. After
driving a consistent race throughout and
showing exceptional ability he threw
stretch and flashed by the checkered flag
over a minute ahead Of his nearest COM
petitor, winning the magnificent st. Fran
els Hotel trophy. In this race Merz
averaged 088 miles per hour. his time
for the 1929 miles being 1877 minutes and
20 seconds With the same car Merz won
second place in the free-for-all race over
the same course, but did not have the
opportunity to make one of his flying fin
ishes as the race. which was to be
207 5s7 miles. was stopped because spec
tators crowded the course and dark
ness made safe racing conditions i'm
possible. AS 1t was Merz reeled off the
fifteen laps 1882 miles, in 49, minutes
and IL seconds
In the three-hundred-mile race over
the Atlantic-Pablo beach Merz again
his ability to stay in long
distance contests. Merz drove a con-
sistent, II not spectacular, race and fin
ished In second place In this event
Merz hurled his car over the sands at the
rate of 7O.5 miles per hour. his time for
seconds.
With this string of long-distance per-
formances to his credit so early IN the
present racing season, Merz Is expected to
century run at the Indianapolis speed
way Decoration day.
j. X \
European highways this spring figure
more than ever as an attraction for the
American motorist who demands territory
which cannot be exhausted In week s
driving, and judging from the activities
board of the American Au-
tomobile Association, the flight abroad
this year will be double that of the pre-
ceding period. Chairman Howard Long
streth. who has made many motor trips
on the other side. is perfecting plans
to members who visit Europe and even
Africa.
A passenger and freight motor car serv-
lee is to be established between Kansas
City and Lees Summit. Mo. Two thirty
truck have been purchased by a company
which was formed for the purpose Of
the service, and these are to
make regular daily trips on schedule
hours, connecting with the street car
lines in the south part Of Kansas City.
Eventually milk and produce car will be
run into Kansas City at an early hour in
the morning.
There hasn't been any meeting OF the
Motor Cups Holding Company. Inc, since
w. X. Vanderbilt, jr.. returned from Eu-
rope. and there probably won't be any
for some time to come. No action has
been taken. therefore. on the question OF
either the Vanderbilt cup race or the
grand prize. and the chances are that
none will be taken for a period OF weeks.
Robert Lee Morrell second vice presi-
dent of the Automobile Club Of America,
who has sailed for Europe, to be gone six
weeks and perhaps longer, has been invit-
American cars: that is to say, timing
Judge for the American machines in the
Grand Prix.
The new rules to govern motor vehicle
contests of all kinds during 1911. which
have been adopted by the contest board
Of the American Automobile Association.
cover racing on roads and tracks, hill
climbs and reliability contests. and in a
general way aim at a more definite
division between stock and non-stock
cars. between professional and amateur
drivers, to prevent Misrepresentation in
he making public of results and to secure
greater safety to contestants and spec
ators. Reliability events are divided into
Jour grades. Grade is for not exceeding
six days with strict penalties for time
Dad work, final operative tests and pre-
schedule Grade II is for over
six days with the same penalties as
grade l with the exception that the car
Duretor. brake and sparkling plug adjustS
nents are allowed because Of the longer
period Of time occupied by the contest.
trade III is for any duration with penal
les for time and reoad work only. and no
inal operative tests or technical exam
nations. Grave Nv is for any duration
With penalties for time only. To secure
q promoter will have to state in
his application in which grade the event
S to be run.
X X
st. Louis millionaire. who is a promi-
lent member of the Aero Club Of st.
Louis. is reported to have made a bet of
Il 600 with fellow-member that the At
antic ocean will be crossed by an aero
plane in eighteen hours inside of two
'ears. This would mean an average of
66 % miles an hour for the approx
nately 3,O00-mile trip from New York to
london.
The second week In June has been des-
afaA n tia neriad diaein1 urhich