The Washington times., 1911-02-14

The automobile dealers today are be-
ing congra tuIated on the assured sue
cess of the national automobile show.
Amid a blaze of glory and attended by
one of the largest crowds ever seen at
an Industrial exhibition in this city,
the show opened last night in COnven-
ton Hall
The transformation whicn the deco
rators have worked is almost complete
and the visitors were at a loss for
words to express their delight and sur
prise at the scene presented. The in
terror of the hall had been changed,
and the effect was. as if one had step
ped into Some~vast coliseum. Flags and
bunting were everywhere and the
beauty of the effect was greatly en-
HANGED by the brilliancy of thousands
of electric lights.
The signs indicating the various eX
hibits were in keeping with the general
decorative scheme. Wide aisles gave
additional attractiveness to the show as
a whole, for a better general view of
the display could be gained
No Formal Opening.
There were no formal ceremonies last
night, automobile shows being now such
permanent affairs that no such opening
is longer considered necessary. During
the evening Haley's Orchestra Band,
under the direction of William Haley,
, gave a delightful program of popular
music. This Will be a feature of both
the afternoon and evening sessions.
The outpOurins of motorists and those
who hope to become motorists IN the
near future indicated that automobile
shows are still as popular as ever. More
than 800 people surged through the
broad aises between and II clock,
and it was the unanimous opinion OF
the big crowd that the show is the big
gest affair of the kind ever planned IN
this city.
Among those who attended last night
were William 5. Duvall, president of the
Automobile Club, and Mrs. Duvall; DR..
Henry Hazen, Miss Ruth Wynne,
daughter Of former Postmaster General
Mynne; Fred b. Pyle, Roger Wetmore'
Randall H. Hagner, Mr.. and Mrs. +. 5.
Hight Senator Burkett and party of
ladies, the Rev. DR.. John Van Schaick,
Norman A. Merritt, city postmaster; IL.
S. NARROW, Miss Helene Bourne, John
X. Heyl. Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Prescott,
Sidney Bieber, Elliott z. Hough, secre-
tary of the Automobile Club
Some of Exhibits.
Some of the finest examples of motor
car building ever displayed are on eX-
hibition. The cars are of all sizes and
chine to suit his needs wohid, indeed,
ne hard TO please 1t was noticeable
that racy little roadsters with torpedo
bodies found favor with the greatest
number Of visitors. These little ma
chimes can be bought for as low. as
$3.50, and they seem destined TO achieve
great popularity.
A number Of luxurious limousines
from the most famous factories have
also been shipped to Washington eX-
sC-lN for Z fhn CHI fit rod
with every convenience and are the last
v ord in automobile building.
DevOtees Of the electric also found
L much to interest them in the fine col
lection of electric victories, brouSh2mS,
and CoupeS displayed in the big hall.
There was a rumor early in the even
ing that President Taft would attend
the opening, but later the report was
found to be incorrect. An invitation
had ben extended to the President by
the show committee, and it is under
stood he may visit the exhibition some
time during the week if he hnds the
time.
Notables Invited.
Invitations to visit the show have
also been extended to the Diplomatic
Corps and prominent army and navy
officials
The show is the second to be given
under the auspices of the Dealers As
the National Automobile Show. 1t was
planned by a committee, consisting O!
W. &. Long, chairman; J. NJ. Stoddard
treasurer; John K. Thomas, secretary,
and T. s. Johnston, T. Z. Spence, A
G. Carter, S. A. Luttrel, William jose,
and Claude Miller. They have devoted
many weeks work to the project and
have the satisfaction of knowing today
they have produced one of the finest
Industrial displays ever seen south of
New York
The attendance at the opening far
surpassed the most sanguine expectu-
lions of the committee, and indicates
that the crowds throughout the week
will he of reCord-breaking proportions.
Display of Trophies.
a feature of the show is the nuIner-
O1s displays of trophies won by the
various cars on exhibition. Chief in
terest Centcrs in the sweepstakes and
class trophies of the Munsey Historic
Tour, won by Harry r. Walls in a
Maxwell. These two famous trophies |
are shown by the United Motor Wash |
ington Company, and were viewed
with much interest by the show visit |
ors. Twenty-three other trophies won |
by Maxwell and Columbia cars are |
also exhibited by this ComDany
Occupying the position of honor in |
the booth of the Zell Motor Gar Com |
pany is the famous Glidden trophy. |
won last year by Bill BOlger in a |
Chalmers. 1t is q massive silver affair, |