Evening star., 1912-07-21
BY HOWARD S. FISK.


roads special. which spent the
last week end in the National
Capital, reached the end Of Its
4,OOO-nile journey In New York
city a few days ago after strenuous
trip between the two eastern cities. After
crossing the continent from the Pacific
coast without any unusual incidents 1t
was not until the members OF the path
finding party were within a few hundred
miles Of their goal that they met with
an experience which outrivaled anything
on the entire trip. It was the cloudburst
and hailstorm which they encountered
when midway between this city and Phil
adelphia last Sunday afternoon. A hail
storm IN July Is an unusual sight. to say
the least. but to the westerners 1T was a
complete surprise and one not scheduled
in the itinerary.
Leaving this city early last Sunday
morning the trail blazers In q Locomobile
touring car prepared for the last leg OF
their journey. which was to end IN New
York IN the car were Bert c. Smith,
automobile editor Of the Los Angeles
Times: Dell NJ. Potter, who had been en-
gagged in organising associations in the
various states through which the car
passed. and John Zak, the driver.
"A
and Mrs. c. Francis jenkins. Mrs. How
ard 8. Fisk and daughter and the writer
acted as escort and pilot for the tourists
the last day of the trip. The day was
bright and clear. with slight breeze
stirring Passing out 18th street the Wis
the handsome residences. the Zologica
Park and Rock Creek Park, with al
their natural beauty. Crossing over tC
the Soldiers Home grounds, tho triI
Baltimore Washington boulevard, wher
the real trip began
A brief stop was made In the Monu-
mental city, and, being early for dinner
1t was decided to push on to Belair. Md
Just before reaching Fork. Md. heavy
shower broke. and, while the downpoul
lasted some time. 1t cleared afterward
and the journey was resumed. On reach.
ing Belair the tourists learned that II
would be impossible to obtain dinner
there. and, after another conference, the
escorting party. consented to pilot the
ng Churchv1lle, Md, the cloudburst oc-
CURED. and the idea OF motoring to
Havre de Grace was given UP and the
two cars separated. the good roads spe-
delphia, while the Washington motorists
turned about and headed at full speed
for Baltimore. When the first shower
broke shelter was sought at a nearby
farmhouse. But when the cloudburs,
and hailstorm occurred no shelter was in
sight Having already received q good
soaking 1t was decided. after reaching q
habitation. to go on to Baltimore. II pos
sible Instead Of conditions improving
they grew worse. Finally. on reaching
Towson. Nd. another separation was
made in the party and Mr. and Mrs
Jenkins. in the face of the heavy rain
continued their journey to Washington
arriving home at $50 o'clock SUNDAY
night
Mr.. Jenkins. who 10 an experienced
driver. and drove tho Same car last Sun
day which he piloted from Atlantic City
to Los Angeles last year in the ocean-to
ocean tour with eleven other cars Of tn,
same make, admitted that II was tn,
worst experience OF his life at the whee
Of motor car. At every point along th'
route whore were once small stream
when they were reached no let-up wa
noticeable In tho speed of the car, 8,
anxious were the occupants to get neare
home. The water from the stream
short-circ cuited the magnetic, and later OF
water found its way into the carburetor
causing additional trouble for the driver
On arriving at Contee. Nd. the motorist
were delayed by several cars which haa
become stranded In the mud. and In som,
instances had swung completely acros
the road. They finally managed to picl
reached their destination in safety afte
eighty miles OF strenuous driving in tn,
face Of ono OF tho worst storms whicl
this section has experienced in man,
years While mono Of the party 10 an!
day. still It is not ride that would b.
welcomed again in the near future.
While the Washington motorists wer'
hght1ng their way homeward the trai
blazers were trying their luck in an ef
fort to reach Havre de Grace. where ;
good supper. and the night was spen
there. The next day the journey wa
resumed slow1v to Philadelphia on &C
count OF tho heavy condition Of the road
between Peryvilie and Etkton. After {
brief sojourn in the Quaker city the tri]
was continued few days later to New
York.
The terrific storm Of last Sunday from
all reports caught motorists in all direc
tions. playing havoc with machines an,
temporarily The road between Wash
ington and Benedict. Nd. was strew,
with motoring parties who were maroon
ed until late In tho night on account o
the damage which the elements did to tn
road On the other hand, motorists VIII
remained at Benedict until late in tn
evening. escaped the severest part Of tn
storm and only had the muddy roads I
battle with on the homeward bound trip
Mr. and Mrs. e b. Terry and a party o
friends spent the day ON the Patuxen
river. not starting for home until
o'clock. The storm by that time ha
passed and they reached Washington
| without any trouble whatever. aside fron
the soegy roads Mr.. and Mrs: Alb
Cohen and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Steinhar
and their families had q rough experienc
| on the Maryland roads. They wer
caught In the midst Qf the storm an
! after some rough travelling reached hom
| In safety. far behind schedule time.
c. Hoover and party Of friends VIII
motored to Indian Head likewise had a
experience which they win not soon for
| get.
| Most Of their trouble occurred on tn
roads near the Potomac river and the
were glad when they reached the stat
| roads, which have recently been bull
And so 1t was with hundreds OF othe
motorists who were delayed or strande
In the mud On the nearby Virginia road