The Washington herald., 1911-02-15

| Time does not wither the attraction of
the National Automobile Show, il the
crowds in attendance yesterday afternoon
and evening are any criterion.
Although the show had its opening on
Monday, when the common people and
the elect were also on hand. the drawing
qualities OF the exhibition yesterday were
so much in evidence that the managers
were surprised.
| The rain about midday yesterday was
looked upon as sort OF evil omen, but
! those who are interested in the bubble
buggies refused to allow themselves to be
discouraged by such a minor detail, and
turned out in large numbers to see what
The Washington agents of the leading
makes had to offer.
The total attendance was larger than
on the first day, and the sincere inter
est ofrthe sightseers was more manifest.
1t was curiosity that drew most of the
spectators for the opening, but those on
hand yesterday were mostly inspired by
desire TO make serious comparison be-
tween the points and claims of the diff
serent makes
Agents Right on the job.
While the actual buying was not as
great as the press agents invariably an
nounce for the New York shows. the
large array of agents and demonstrators
on the job last night was kept on the
go all the time by people who really
wanted to know the answer to their auto
mobile troubles, and were able to pass
competent and critical opinion upon
what was shown or demonstrated to
them.
The luxuriousness OF the appointments
of some of the cars caught the eye OF
a good many of the investigators. hut.
as rule. the practicabiIity of the car
was the principal question. and when
ii came down to explaining exactly why
his machine was the best that ever
hoped into a stone wall and then con-
tinued on its way rejoicing, without in
juring tire or jarring chauffeur, the
trusty agent was right on the job.
Success of Show Undisputed.
1t was generally agreed by dealers that
the show was the biggest success of
the kind ever held in Washington. They
said that the public had taken it more
seriously than before, something they
have been striving to attain ever since |
the first show was held here. While each |
agent has been Wiling and even anxious |
to extol the merits of his own products, |
what he wanted mostly was people who |
looked like they might buy machine and |
start in to be automobilists, alb initio, as |
the Latin has it, or get rid of a second !
hand one and become up to date. This /
most desirable class of listeners to hon.
eyed words was extremely in evidence |
throughout the day.
The actual sales reported were not
large, but the inquiries and suggestions
were enough to make the agents happy. |
Not only were the low priced cars of a
popular character strong magnets, but
the presence of a people who asked all
about cars that would make the ordinary
man take to the woods and climb a tree
was enough to cause the dealers in the
merry little joy wagon that run from
$4,000 upward to take second look, re-
adjust their neckties and start in to
exploiting on a basis they had never
thought necessary.
Diplomats I'm Evidence.
Among the most prominent visitors
were members of the diplomatic corps.
They did very little direct negotiating,
but they asked a whole lot Of questions,
and seemed to have an idea of exactly
what they wanted Some Of them proved
so thoroughly wide-awake to the ad-
vancement of the automobile Industry
that their names were taken at once by
bright young men who will call ON them
in the near future and prove conclustyely
to the satisfaction of the provers-that
theirs is the only machine really worth |,
having
Good, able, two-handed takers were at
the accessory tables. They illustrated
how man might raise a large and sue
cessful family without ever having re-
course to oatmeal or whooping~ cough
They had divers little appliances worked
oy electricity and absolutely essential to
/ happy life in limousine OF roadster.
They would wash the children's ears,
,hase cows out of the right of way, vote
he straight Democratic ticket. keep you
awake at church, or do any of the hun
ired and one things that the average
nan does not want to do for himself.
These attracted many Of the visitors, who
1aried the hearing of the advantages Of
automobiles IN general. and his own in
particular. by Manager Cliff Long, by
seeing how It was perfectly possible to
De entirely happy on 81 day and a
hfrty or ninety horsepower auto. It was
IN auto show, and the spectators took
Ar. Long and the machines as part Of
he programme. Both viii be there to-
lay and neither should be missed
The exhibition of flying machine models
o the right OF the entrance was fa-
-ored by number Of army officers and
Military dlldCuccs WIZ occtuco 70 JnInk
hat It gas the most important part of
he show.
Local Manufacturers Gratfned.
The dealers In and makers Of the ma
hines made In or near Washington were
'articulariy gratifed by the>ind6iries they
eceived. Ali had extensive exhibits and
eemed well known TO the prospective
'uyers- They have been advertising lib
rally for some years, and the fact that
heir products were 50 familiar even to
he people who are mostly interested b the