The Washington times., 1911-04-30

Washington motorists are manifeSting
a great des. of interest in a bill intro
duced in the House this week by Repre-
sentative William A. Jones of Virginia,
appropriating 100000 for the construc-
ton of a national highway from this
city to Fredericksburg, Va, by way of
Mt Vernon. The proposed highway is
to be known as the Mother WASH
ington memorial highway" in memory
and in honor of George Washington's
mother.
The bill provides in effect that the
Director of the Office of Public Roads
shall designate from his office one chief
engineer and the necessary assistants,
who shall proceed to make the surveys.
The road is to be 100 feet wide, of stand
ard macadam construction, with the
necessary bridges, culverts, and guard
walls.
At the present time Mt. Vernon is
practically inaccessible to motorists, and
the construction of the road would fill
a long felt want. Continuing II TO
Fredericksburg would give motorists
one of the finest pieces of roadway 10
be found anywhere in this country, and
at the same time open up TO the motor
ing fraternity a section of the country
that is rich in historic interest.
Il learn with more than passing IN
terest that Representative Jones Is seek
to build a memorial road from wash
ington to Fredericksburg by way or Mt:
Vermont said w. S. Duvall, president OF
the Automobile Club of Washington
Every member of our organization is
a booster for this project, and at the
next meeting OF the board of governors
the matter Will be brought up for uis-
Cussion. Through its affiliation with the
American Automobile Association. our
club will seek TO secure the aid OF all
the automobile clubs in the country IN
securing the enactment of the Jones
bill"
Tho fact that three National cars have
been entered in the French grand prize
race to be run over the Sarthe CIRCUIT
Sunday, July z, gives the trench classic
added interest to American motorists
II is probable the cars will be driven by
John Aitkcn, Charley Merz, and Howard
Wilcox. Merz is rapidly making
place for himself as a long distance
driver. Since January he has won one
big event and finished second in Two
others II Wilcox continues his phe-
nomenal work, he will soon be regarded
as the find of 1911 So far this year he
has outbid in speed and daring many
who have been ir the racing game for
a much longer period Wilcox secured
his training as mechanician for John
Aitken, who has long been numbered
among the speed merchants OF the
country.
Word has just been received by H: B.
Le4ry, jr.. the Hudson agent, that Hud-
son automobiles are now doing a taxi
cab service to points of interest around
the Pyramids in Egypt. This modern
contrivance looks peculiar indeed with
its ancient setting, with the Pyramids
as a background and a white turbaned
Arab as a chauffeur Travellers who
have just returned from there say.
however, that all the jargon of the
trade in soliciting patrons is just as no
ticeable on :he part of these drivers
of American motor cars as accompanies
the solicitation of the guide known TO
to all who have visited them in the past
genera ton, who insists that he helped
to carry Mark Twain to the top Of the
Sphinx.
The Krit car, which has met with
some famous success in hill climbing,
will doubtless be found in many con-
tests, particularly hill climbs, during the
coming season." said r. c. Wilson. the
krit agent here. The Krit Company
has not attempted any systematic con-
test work in the past. but various
owners have entered their cars in con-
tests, particularly hill climbs. and have
been so successful that several other
enthusiastic krit users have announced
their intention to show the way up the
steep inclines this summer. Aside from
the entries of Krit cars by owners, the
factory probably will be represented in
the big hill-climbing contests.
'.One of the greatest spring tests ever
made was conducted at the Ford Auto
mobile plant in Detroit the other day.
when a Vanadium steel spring used in
the Ford car was made to bend as
far below the axle as It stood above
Miller Brothers. the Ford agents.
According to Sales Manager Haw-