The Washington herald., 1912-11-03

More than one hundred entries for tn
next Glidden tour and the support OF pev
cry motor club, trade association. cham
Der of commerce, and municipality on tn
route of the tour is the net result o
Charles J. GEdden's run over the Lakes
to-the-Gulf route between Detroit ant
New Orleans
While Mr. Glidden received great ova
ton and found many forces at work II
the interest Of touring contests ana 8ooo
roads, he also discovered that many or.
ganizations and public officials who hac
taken an active interest in the tour. dic
not have a proper understanding OF the
purpose of the contest. nor did they kho"
that the contest was open to them.
Mr. Glidden's suggestion that the route
he reversed SO that the start will be made
in New Orleans and the finish in Detroit
was received enthusiastically In the Cres-
cent City and the plan has been submitted
TO the American Automobile Association
with the assurance of greater suppor'
than the original itinerary.
That some one is responsible for a seri-
Gus omission in failing to present the
Glidden tour in the proper nght was
the opinion Of Mr.. Glidden when ne al
rived in vicksburg. Miss. and learned tna'
business Mems League and several indi-
tour. but did not know that they were
eligible. When Mr.. Glidden found simi-
lar conditions in Clarksdale, Greenwood.
and jackson. he became convinced that
the postponement Of the tour because oi
lack of entries would not have been neces-
sary if a representative had been sent into
the field to lay the matter before tne
proper people.
Before Mr.. Glidden had reached INDIAN
-.<-l.k -ao Nf
he was told that many persons who might
easily have entered cars in the tour. were
deferred by the impression that the tour
was a closed event and they did not
learn of their eligibility until Mr.. Glidden
issued his invitation to motorists in gem
eral to join him in tour over the omciai
route.
Another factor which kept down the
entry list was the opinion that the route
and schedule of the American Automo-
bile Association pathfinder was impossi-
HE This belief existed even in New Or
leans, and it was not dispelled until Mr.
GIfdden's car, and one Of the MaXwelis
which won last years contest, arrived IN
New Orleans on schedule time.
Mr. Glidden personally certified that the
two cars covered the route on the omciai
schedule of running time and his certi1-
cate was indorsed by Gov. L. +. Hall OF
guests at a banquet to the Glidden tour
lists at Baton Rouge. and he has taken
an active interest in all projects for the
good of road building and motoring.
When it became known that the route
was not impossible. though extremely dif-
ficuIt an entry representing New Orleans
was Immediately promised and Mr.. A
Schaffenburg. a retired business man, told
Mr.. Glidden that he would enter his
car and take his family.
NJ Z. Hart. of the Enterprise Electrical
Company. who organized the New Or
leans reception to the Gliddenites. assured
Mr. Gidden that his trip from Detroit 10
New Orleans had given a new impetus to
the touring and good roads movement.
making it certain that New Orleans will
he properly represented in the contest next
June.
Other cities which will have entries. but
which were not known at the time the
tour was postponed. are Memphis. Nash
Vile. and Louisville. Individual entries
will be made by private owners in over
a dozen cities on the route.
sWith the certainty of a large field OF
entries from places on the route and as
hurance of support from large cities al
iacent to it. Mr. Glidden has recommend
cd to the American Automobile Associa-
tion that H. Fl. Robinson. Of the Wolver-
inc Automobile Club. be sent through the
territory to work up and organize The
tour Mr. Robinson is chairman Of the
runs and tours committee Of the Detroit
organization. and Is thoroughly CONVEX
SAINT with the situation. having accom-
panied Mr. Glidden over the entire route