Omaha daily bee., 1912-02-04
RIVERHEAD WANTS THE RACE
Inhabitants Say No Reason for Van.
derbilt Cup Event Leaving.
WOULD WELCOME RACING CARS
want bond Provided to Indemnify
the Town Against Damage 10
Roadway and 70 Spectators
During the Contest.

l NEW IOfNhs reu. I'll tHt WISHES VI
the citizens OF Riverhead and vicinity are
consulted there is no reason why the
Vanderbilt cup automobile road race
should be held at Savannah. Elsin or any
other course during 1912 The Inhabitants
OF the Long Island town stand ready TO
welcome the racing cars. their drivers and
the thousands Of spectators who would
gather for such a contest.
| A canvass or the eastern section OF Long
Island shows that sentiment Is strongly
| in favor of the American automobile
classic being returned to the land Of It's
conception. Furthermore. Riverhead
stands ready to act as host 10 the con-
test. promoters and spectators next
autumn in case the American Automobile
association desires to stage the race and
viii meet the town board half way in
the matter. U#
The officers OF RIverhead state that a
bond indemnifying the town against dam
ages to either roadway or spectator Is
! necessary. In addition q course different
from the one used N the auto race Of
two years ago must be selected These are
/ the only COuutttouu NHul WOhtd bI thrty
to be imposed by the board. which 10
enthusiastic over the idea OF staging the
Vanderbilt cup race on the outskirts of
that town.
Tho power to grant a permit for the
race rests with the town board. which in
Riverhead Is composed OF Dwight corwln,
supervisor; ]. Fred Dugan, clerk. and
George W. HIldreth. william n. Taft.
Ellsworth Warner and William Miller.
This body is understood to be unani-
mously In favor Of the. race and would
be glad to see II held at Rverhead. Mr..
Corwin. the supervisor. In speaking Of
the matter. said;
| People waht Race.
II am heartily In favor OF sdun propo-
sition personally and believe the people OF
the town want H. There are only two
things that should require Of the pro-
moters OF such a race. First. the date Of
the race must not conflict with the
county fair which IL held at Riverhsad
generally the third week Of september.
Large numbers OF people from all over
Suffolk county are. during fair week,
using the roads OF this vicinity going to
and from the fair. For them. the fair is
an event, looked forward to year by year.
and Il would be unjust TO close our roads
TO these people At this tiune. The fair
continues only four days, II good weather
prevails and # seems as h there should
be no trouble on that score.
The other point 10 that the board
have q bond Of some kind 90 conditioned
as to indemnify the town for any dam
ages which might be done to the roads
and for any damages which might be isg-
ally enforced against It In case Of dam
age suits resulting from accidents. We
have been advised by counsel that there
would be no liability on the part Of the
town in event Of such suits. but we would
rather be on the safe side and in any
event a bond 80 conditioned would DO no
harm
IF these two conditions are met the
town board. am sure will do all within
its power to aid the undertaking and have
the roads in A condition for such an
event
Judge Hndreth and ]. Fred Dugan.
both members Of the board. Endorsed the
foregoing. Judge Hiidreth declared him
self as ''emphatically in favor Of the
race and said. Il viii do all In my
power both in the board and out Of II,
TO further the cause. ] am sure that the
board would gladly give the necessary
permission and more than that, Il would
make every effort to have the roads in
prime shape for the event"
/ Hotel men and tradesmen generally
were jubiIsnt over the possibility Of the
big race coming 10 Riverhead. They are
especially outspoken and say that II
such a thing were assured they would
raise fund toward defraying portion
Of the expense incidental to the race.
Others who would be benefited even m
directly said they would contribute their
mite TO such fund because they wanted
4 TO see the race held at Riverhesd.