The Washington times., 1911-04-27
CONGEST[DSTREETS
Of CITY AGGRAVATE
MOTORISTS BURDEN
Speed of Over Three Miles
an Hour Sometimes
Looks Dangerous.
THE SMALL BOY AS
SPECIAL OFFENDER
Darts in Front of Machines, Com
pelling Operators to Exercise
Great Care.
By HARRY WARD.

by hAhh1 WAhD.
There is much loose talk about how
fast az automobile is going, especially
after an accident of some sort" said
one of the pioneer automobile drivers
of Washington.
I'm these fine spring days." he con-
tinued, when ball playing and tag are
carried on in the streets, children take
all sorts of risks. The most cautious
motorist has his narrow escapes, and
often any speed greater than three
miles an hour appears dangerous. The
notorist has his rights in the street,
but the way things are put up 10 him II
becomes his duty not only to look out
for himself and his car but for the chill
dren as well.
Some OF them. too, have taken a
leaf from the conduct Of certain elders,
who pretend not to hear the warning
signal until the last minute, and then
move slowly out Of the way, tantalizing
the motorist, who has come down al
most to a walk in order to avoid an &C
cident A small boy in Fourteenth
street yesterday afternoon did this
trick to a motorist. The man used his
horn. slowing all the time, until he got
just In back Of the small boy, who was
walking along in the way. When the
motor1st came to complete stop the
small boy looked around and stepped
good spanking" cried the indignant mo-
tortst. To which the small boy, with a
dsFisiYe gesture, replied: Run along.
In the course of a ride through the
crowded business section the motorist
may meet not one, but a dozen cases, of
this. Each particular small boy or
older person thinks he Is doing some
thing funny, but the humor of it pals
on the driver, especially If 1t has hap
dozen times
Then, too, there are the folks who never
hear a horn until the last moment and
then Jump Indignantly away and de-
mand to know, why didn't You blow
your horn"
A succession of such incidents, with
the ever present danger that some small
child will dart heedlessly in front of
the car, coupled with the necessity for
changing gears almost momentarily be-
cause Of wagons in the way, not to
mention the darting taxicab, makes
driving in a congested section of the
city hard. 1t is wearing on the nerves
Of the motorist who, however, doesn't
get any sympathy.
Smiling George" Robertson, the ia
nous racing driver who recently an
nounced his retirement from the game,
cannot resist the temptation to be in
action in some way or another where
the roar of the motor is heard, so he
has been named assistant starter for
the 500-mile International Sweepstakes
race on the Indianapolis motor speed
way Memorial Day: Fred J. Wagner,
official starter of the American Auto
mobile Association, nominated the smil-
ing driver as his assistant and Robert
son will be seen in his official ca
pacity at the brick course during the
long race.
1t is highly probable, however. that
Robertson never will go back to the
automobile racing game as competing
driver. Following his accident during
practice for the Vanderbilt Cup race
nouncement that he would drive no
more, and. despite the conflicting ru-
mors. has maintained his stand. The
recent arrival of George Robertson, jr.,
will not be seen behind the wheel again
IN q motor race.
The method of starting the long race
has been discussed much by racing ex-
perts and II is altogether probable that
all of the cars will be started at one
signal from the starters gun. They
probably will be placed in rows about
76 to 100 feet apart, the different driv-
start.
Starter Wagner will arrive in Indian
epolis within the next few days, to take
up the details of starting the race and
handling Of this race is one of the most
serious problems which officials of the
American Automobile Association have
faced thus far.
Billy Sullivan. famous catcher Of the
Chicago White Sox, has been one of the
most enthusiastic Ford owners and driv-
ers for two seasons. While in Detroit
for the opening game of the baseball
season, he took his battery partner, Ed.
walsh, out to the Ford plant and showed
him all through the factory where the
Model rs are made. Sullivan is plan
ming on another trip to Ireland, and will
tour Erin's Isle with his Model T, when
he returns again to the scenes Of his
ancestors nativity.
The REQ Automobile Company has
been incorporated with a Capitalization
Of SIS, 900. Frank G. Stewart is president
ard general manager, and E. II. Tag
CERT secretary-treasurer. In addition to
the officers the board of trustees con-
fists of Albert Stewart, ]. R. hewitt,
and Charles Ramsey. The company is
located at 1405 Fourteenth street north
west, and handles the REQ line.
q. E Mattesnn, district manager Of
the Regal Motor Car Company, is in
the city for few days visiting Elmer
Regal output for 1911. comprising about
%. 900 cars. has already been contracted
for and sold" said Mr.. Matteson. I'VE
are now engaged in marketing the 1912
mOdelS, ana tney are making a pro-
nounced hit in all sections of the coun-
try. Emerson & OrTne, our Washington
agents, have worked up a splendid busi-
ness with the Regal line"
There will be two Fiat cars In the 500
mile international sweepstakes race on
the Indianapolis speedway Memorial
Day. One will be driven by Caleb S.
Bragg. the Young millionaire driver. and
the other by David RrUce-Brown. z.
H. Parker will alternate with Bragg,
while Joe Matson will be Bruce-Brown' s