The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-06
Houpt Quits Alec.

Harry s. Houpt has resigned az
manager of Alec sales and will leave
soon on q brief vacation trip to the
South. For some time Mr.. Houpt has
been considering making q change.
Inasmuch az In the twenty-seven
months he has been in charge. Alec
business has increased something like
34s per cent. strong efforts were made
by those at tho head Of the antoine
bile department Of the American To-
connective company to have him re-
main and sign q contract for part, ii
not all. of another year.
The date Of expiration of Mr..
Houpts present contract is July /.
but, greatly to his satisfaction. he waA
| able to wind up affairs earlier and
to obtain a leave OF absence from
March LIST to July LIST. He has not
yet decided on his future connections.
Mr.. Houpt said yesterday that he
could not discuss his plans for the III :
ture. He La well known In the auto
mobile business as q particularly keen
and able salesman. When he Joined
the Alec company there were thirteen
agents, OF whom four were really &C.
tive. There arc now eighty-six live
agents of the company. and January.
1a1a. was the greatest single month
the Alec has ever had.
Under Mr.. Houpt's direction great
improvements were made not only In
selling methods but In the appearance
of the touring models. Also. where
formerly only one size OF truck WAS
made, there are now four models.
Many of these vehicles have been
placed with the leading firms In the
country.
Bob Burman's Car.
Bob Burman La reported TO be
working night and day to prepare his
keeton car for the Indiana polls 50o-
mile race. either at the Keeton fac
tory In Detroit or at the factory oil
the Wisconsin Engine Works, In MIL
waukee, where he is assembling the
motor. Burnan la determined to be
on the speedway by April list to pre-
pare for the race. With his expert
ences OF previous years as a guide,
he liz designing a car which will have
many novel and interesting features.
About his car he places more or
less mystery. but he does say that the
wheel base will be hardly over ninety
inches, while the top Of the radiator
will come only a little above his waist.
last year. due to q wooden wheel
giving way. He will use wire wheels
this year.
Thus fgf BurnYan has not chosen
| his driving mate. but will do 30 very
soon, as 1t is highly improbable that
he win endeavor to drive the com.
plets race. He has q number Of good
men to select from. but as much de-
ponds upon the partner in such q con.
test he intends to take no chances
and will make a selection only after
thorough tryout at the speedway.
Low Motorcycle Cpkeep.
Interesting figures on the expense
OF motorcycle upkeep are shown In
] the records kept by members Of the
Federation of American Motorcycles
DR.. s. w. Clark. OF Sterling. III. hax
travelled over seven thousand miiea
on his motorcycle. and says he has
never had to make any adjustment Of
his engine whatever.
Charles A Langfstt, a cyciist. OF
Shirley, W. Va. has spent just 90
cents for repairs during a period In
which he has ridden ten Thousand
| miles. A. Fl. Pendl. special delivery
messenger, of Chicago. reports q re.
pair cost OF $3.50 in riding his two.
wheeler twelve thousand miles.
During the last three years l. Play
/ Of Cedar Rapids. Ia. says he has tray-
1 eled twenty five thousand miles on his
motorcycle, and has spent only s2.3o
aside fFefa gasoline and OFT