The Washington times., 1911-09-24

suppression vi duIOInODlle racing on
dirt tracks formerly used for horse
racing is being urged from all parts
Of the country. The issue is squa-ely
up to the American Automobile Asso-
citation, the governing body of automo-
bile sports, and If 1t does not put the
ban on these dirt track affairs, it must
demand better protection for the spec
tators.
What is needed most of all in track
races is a safety wall along the out
side and the inside of the track where
spectators are bound TO gather. This
should be a low cement wall, such as is
used on the Indianapolis speedway, or
low plank fences just nigh enough To
catch the hubs of racing cars and pre-
vent them from leaving the track.
As pointed out by an authority, spec
tators must be protected no mater
what the cost, and II the automopile
sport-governing body does not make the
promoters to whom sanctions are lssueu
furnish that protection, then the courts
will step in and demand the protection
or legislate against track events; a,so
The prominent racing drivers are also
taking a hand in the discussion. IheIi
organization, known as the Motor rae
iLg Drivers Association OF America, MT!
ir New York this week ana ulsCuss E
the racing rules having to do with the
classification of professional drivers.
The racing drivers believe that much
of the danger and many or me accl-
dents attendant on automobile racing
are brought about by inexperienced
pilots. and they are seeking to have
Them divided into classes, so that eX-
peTienced men may not nave 70 De eN-
rosed to the peril CT competition with
Automobile Club of America and the
American Automobile Association will
he asked to divide the professionals
into two classes, first class ana second
class, instead of dividing them into pro-
fessionals and novices.
One OF the most remarkable Gliddeu
pathfnding trips on record was nm
ished this week WREN the Flanders 70
carving Scout Westward, drove into
Js cksonville, Fla, ending the trip from
New York begun only twelve days be-
fore. More than 1870 miles had been
covered, and the car kept the schedule
to be, followed by the Gliddcn tour. al
though the going included all SORTS Of
highway, from smooth macadam 10 deep
mud and heavy sand. The Stakeholder
Corporation, makers of the Flanders, Is
receiving many congratulations on the
splendid showing Of the little car N lay
ing out the Glidden route.
z. c. Bull, who has just been appoint
ed manager of the Pope Automobile
Company, is rapidly making his infiu-
enco, felt in automobile trade circles.
He has had long experience in motor
industry and is planning to make tho
1872 season the best the Pope company
has ever had. In the Pope-Hartford
and Oakland" said Manager Bull, we
have a line Of cars to meet ali require
ments, and il will be our aim to make
service the keynote of The establish
ment. Lawrence Schenk, who has
Joined the sales force Of the company,
ington.
w. A. Fritz. Of Columbus. Ohio, is
spending a few days in Washington
He arrived Yesterday In a Chalmers
touring car. having toured from his
home town via Cleveland, Buffalo. AL |
hany, the Berkshires. Boston, New
York and Philadelphia. Il found good
roads nearly everywhere except the
washington" said Mr.. Fritz. las the
automobile traffic between these two
cities is heavy. it seems passing
strange that no effort has been made
to improve the roads.
Accessibility of all oiling parts is
a feature which will appeal to buyers
Of 1912 Overland cars, said r. {.
Smith, president of the Overland
Washington Motor Company. Instead
Of placing the very important oil and
grease cups in such positions that they
are unhandy and difficult to reach,
much care has been exercised in max
ing them accessible. Where many cars
contain only drilled oil holes, the Over
land designers have this year used oil
CUPS which make for a cleaner car and
prevent the oil running into other
parts Grease cups have also been sub
stituted in places where on many other
makes small oil cups are used.
John n. WHY'S, president Of the
willys-Overland Company. believes
that a great majority of motor car
complaints are due to neglect on the
part of the owner to keep the car well
fabricated. This neglect is often due
to inaccessible oilihg places because |
the oil hole cannot be located.
"AII lubrioating places on Overland !
cars are in plain view and located in |
such positions that the driver-owner |
can fili them without bruising his hands |
or soiling his clothes by being COM |
PEELED to crawl under the car TO reach |
them. Such ref1nements as these, to- |
sether with other details which create |
comfort, will appeal to owners Of 1912
Overlands."
F A. Garlock, head of the Imperial
Motor Company, returned yesterday
from a trip to Cleveland, Ohio, where