The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-24
LONDON'S AUTO CLUB
COSTS $I,250,O00
Best Motor Club House
There Is In the World
Sicilian Marble, Turkish
Baths and Squash Courts
New Home of the Royal
Automobile Club.

One of the most striking signs Of
the great advance made by AUTOMOBILE
ism is the building of the new and
magnificent clubhouse of the Royal
Automobile Club of Great Britain in
Pail Mall, London. It is remark
able testimony to the progress OF a
movement which has already changed
the character Of road locomotion in
all civilized countries, and which is
destined to solve many social prob
lens. The building. which is probab-
ly the most pretentious INTELLECTUALLY
in the world, is described in THE
Tines of London as follows.
''It is thirteen years since a small
band Of enthusiasts sat around ta-
BILE to discuss the formation of a
body similar to an automobile club
which had just been started in
France to encourage the motor car
industry, and which was then show
ing signs of something greater to
come. Since the autumn Of 1897 the
history of the A. c. now the r. A G..
has been one of steady progress. From
the time when suite OF rooms was
engaged in Whitehall Court as it's first
home, the club has gained every year
in numbers and power. At the end
of December, 1897 the membership
roll amounted to 1853 and to-day the
r. A c. POLL Of members exceeds s.
more than $4,000 making over 10000
persons in all theoretically combined
for the protection of motorists. From
Whitehall Court the club migrated to
119 Picadilly in 1902. and then took
possession of it's first clubhouse, for
Whitehall Court had become made
quate to the needs Of its 2,177 men,
bers in that year.
1.-The site was chosen long ago as
being suitable if terms with the office
of Woods and Forests could be ar
ranged. A rental Of G75o0 $685., 500 a
year seems large, but then the area
is in proportion. The style of the
exterior architecture is copied from
the period OF Louis XIV, and is i'm
posing yet simple in design. The ar
chitects are Messrs. Mewes & Davis
and b. Kynes Purchase. The build
ing has taken little over two years
to bring to its present state of COM
pletion, and considering the great am
cunt of decoration both on the facade
the building and their auxiliaries
should be congratulated on this
achiey cement. 1t is estimated that the
building has cost already about G1O0,-
600, $500 O00l has been expended on
the fitting and decoration of the in
terror rooms, which are mostly de-
signed in the French style, and in the
building of the swimming bath.
GAS BELTS the home of the Royal
Club whose members are
at any rate supposed to be mechani-
cally minded, as much use as was
has been made of mechanical
for ventilation upon
which nearly s14.000 72000) has been
spent AS regards the building itself,
the ventilation is secured by huge
shaft with a sectional area OF 100
square feet, taking in the fresh air
from Carlton Gardens. On entering
the club the air is passed over large
radiator to warm 1t in Winter, and at
meets . water bath consist
ing a minute sprays, followed by
series of BATTLE plates, by means OF
which the thorough publication is in
sured, and is then led into various
channels which are laid to every por-
ton of the building.
''The touring department, one of the
most frequently used departments of
teh Royal Automobile Club, is we'll
fitted up with all necessary maps and
literature and here can be obtained
concerning frequented and
parts of the world likely
to be visited by the motorist This de-
partment also possesses the necessary
staff to assist the would be tourist
The room has been effectively decorat-
ed in Australian black bean wood. The
legal department, the technical de-
partment the engineers the account
ants. and the associates quarters all
follow on.
1.-THE sporting side of the club has
Yot !>een forgotten. In the base