The Washington times., 1913-03-15
MOTOR CAR ADOPTED
BY THREE PRESIDENTS
Executives of United States,
Mexico, and France Discard
Horses for Automobiles.
By HARRY WARD.

The example set by William Howard
Taft In making the automobile the Of
fetal vehicle of the White House dur
Ing the time he was President has been
followed by President Wilson. Two
other republics. France and Mexico,
have also adopted the motor car as the
official equipage of their executives.
An order has just been given by Presi-
dent Poincare to replace the horse as
the official means of conveyance at the
French Elysee. Presidents Loubet and
.Fallieres had no love for the automobile
and on all official occasions drove be-
hind a team of horses with postillions.
On all occasions the new French Presi-
dent will use his private Limousine. The
head position at the Elysee, who
served under Loubet and Fallieres, has
resigned.
Contrary to the. custom in vogue in
this country, orders have also been
given that the police must no. interrupt
the normal flow of traffic in order to
give the right OF way to the French
Presidents car or to any other cars
attached to the Presidency. These cars
will be treated in the same way as all
other vehicles. The drivers, however,
can claim a right OF way In cases Of
necessity by showing their police pass
TO the officer on duty.
Provisional President yictoriano Hu-
erta, Of Mexico, is devoted to the use
Of the automobile. During the long
campaign which he waged in northern
Mexico. General Huerta kept with him
four motor cars. He used for his long
distance trips the same type and make
of car Emperor William of Germany is
said to occupy when he attends the war
maneuvers. By the use of these cars
General Huerta was able to make fly
ing trips to points some distance of
the line Of the railroad and to keep
in constant touch with the different
organizations OF his army. He often
drove the cars himself, and is said to
take the keenest enjoyment in this
method of travel.
Since he became provincial President.
General Huerta has made almost daily
use of his big car. He believes that
the addition of motor cars for the gen.
eral use 'of offirers of the army ts
an innovation that is desirable from a
practical standpoint, and II Is probable
he VIII make recommendations to the
Mexican congress for an appropriation
TO purchase a large number of cars for
this purpose.
The satisfaction of the United States
Government with the five Kissel Kar
motor wagons placed four weeks ago
In the parcels post service of the city,
has been emphasized in the most SUBJ
stantial manner By an order Of ten
more cars of the same make
The new Kissel Kars will vary from
those now in commission in Washington
in respect that the bodies will be of
the closed panel type instead Of
screened.
r C. Smith, president of the Over
land Washington Motor Company, re-
turned today from a trip through vir-
.ginia- He visited Richmond and other
points and found business conditions
very promising.
Sales of Studebaker cars. as reported
this week by the Commercial Automo-
bile and Supply Company, were as fol-
lows: L. Schmidt. go touring car;
Fred A. Spicer. .3o'' touring car; L. P.
McLachlen. ..20' roadster; w. B. Green
wood, touring car; Robert -Neely,
go delivery wagon.