New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-13
ELECTRIC CARS ATTRACT
Show at Palace Brings This
Type of Vehicle to Front.
MANY SALES ARE EXPECTED
Truck Representation Is Large
and Includes Some New
Makes of High Glass.

Not many Of the local dealers In cleo
trio passenger cars have taken advantage
Of the opportunity presented at the Grand
Central Palace to show the public their
wares. but 10 the few who are there the
electrical show is proving a boon. While
up to the present time the sales OF cars
have not been numerous. all of the ex-
hibitors have had plenty Of prospective
customers looking over their machines,
and many sales will eventually result
from the work that will be done before
the show ends. e.. 3D., .. -
, New York has proved note rionsly
poor town for electric passenger cars, In
strong contrast with many other large
cities of the country No one has ever
been able to fathom the situation, as the
drawbacks in the shape Of adverse ordi-
nances have not been strong enough 10
keep this type OF vehicle SO greatly in
the background. Nowhere are there finer
facilities for recharging batteries and FOR
having other work done that the electric
calls for from time to time. ~Nr
Excellent facilities are offered the car
exhibitors at the electrical show to dis
play their cars both in repose and action.
On one of the upper fioors-the one where
tho band holds forth-a track has been
provided where the dealers may demon
strate their cars, and hundreds Of pro-
spective customers have taken rides there
many OF them learning TO their amaze
ment OF the exceedingly simple control
and fexibility of this type OF car.
The electric is par excellence the
woman's car. II requires no cranking;
many OF them run on solid tires, obviat-
ing the risk Of punctures and blow-outs'
and they are absolutely clean. or the
comparatively few electric cars used In
New York probably four-ffths OF them
are driven by women, who find them
exactly the thing for shopping, social
calls and for pleasure riding In the parks
and through the suburbs.
Among the exhibits Of these cars at the
electrical show are the Detroit Electric,
the Bailey and the Baker. Mr.. Menafee,
IN charge Of the Detroit Electric, reports
the probability Of a large number OF sales
before the show ends and the others are
equally optimistic about the outlook In
addition, the other dealers in the city
have special cars On their sales floors at
this time, In the expectation that those
whose interest is aroused by the show VIII
want TO look over the general line be-
fore making a selection.
Electric trucks are TO be found at the
show in large variety and numbers, the
makes represented including the General
Vehicle, Studebaker, Atlantic Vehicle,
General Motors and Champion. Unlike
the passenger car situation, New York is
heavy user Of electric trucks, and then
use Is growing steadily with the general
advance In design and construction.
In this list are some makes that have
been before the public for years, but II
also includes newcomers. To none Of
these is more attention being paid than
to the General Motor cars, which appear
to bear out the high expectations that
had existed In regard TO them. These cars
are designed by John Lansden, who De
signed the electric trucks Of that name.
The Atlantic Is another that appears TO
take the fancy Of the experts TO marked
degree. although II has been on the mar
ket only few months.
1t is well known there is a distinct field
for the electric truck. as compared with
the gasolene propelled commercial We
hice For short hauls. such as city and
suburban delivery within their radius, the
electric has many points of superiority
and many business houses employing q
number OF trucks utilize both kinds In
order 10 effect the greatest economy In
hauling goods.