Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-19
ELECTRIC VEHICLE
MEN OPEN GREAT
CONVENTION HERE
Delegates From All Parts Of
the Country Meet-Edison
to Attend - Mayor Wei
comes Guests.

Representative men in the electric vehi-
Gle industry from various parts Of the
country today attended the opening scs-
sion of the fifth annual convention OF the
Electric Vehicle Association Of America.
The convention which will last until
Wednesday, is being held in the Bellevue
stratford.
Delegates from various parts of the
country who arrived here in horseless
vehicles and different sorts Of "buza-
wagons" were welcomed by Mayor Blank
enburg.
The Mayor addressed the road travellers
in the Glover Room which is decorated
with electric lights and A-foot electric
emblem of the association
Mayor Blankenburg said, Il would ike
10 see some bright mind invent scheme
TO recharge the battery while the ma
chine is going. The man who could invent
nuch n scheme would soon have more
money than John d. Rockefeller do
not expect 1t while l am alive. put II IL
Is adopted | think my heirs should set
10 per cent. Of the profits for my sug-
gestion.'
r. @. Peck. chief engineer Of the Buff
falo Electrical Vehicle Company. said
that although the Mayors suggestion
would almost mean perpetual motion
there were steps already taken IN that
direction He said that he had developed
n motor which would rechnrge the bat
teries while the car was in motion He
contended that this motor would save
10 to 10 per cent Of electricity. Mr.
Peck said that he used an electrical
brake instead of wasting power TO stop
the machine by mechanical brake and
ptore the power saved in the battery.
The convention was called to order at
10 O'Clock this morning Many OF the
delegates laughingly told each other that
they had brought along a sufficient supply
OF Juice" for their journey home in their
automobiles.
1t was announced today that Thomas
A. Edison will attend the convention on
Wednesday That day, october p, marks
the thlrty-ffth anniversary Of the inven-
tion of the incandescent lamp. on that
occasion delegates will unite in tribute
to the electrical wizard.
During deliberations today and tomor-
row papers will be read by foremost cleo
trical experts.
Progress made in the use of electrical
vehicles was dwelt upon in the annual
report read by Executive Secretary A.
jackson Marshall. He said that agencies
had been established in England for
made-in-America vehicles and that there
was promise of big sales. He also ex-
planned that plans we're under way 10
send electric vehicles TO South America
where the speaker declared, the field is
fertile and vast and promises good re-
turns.
Mr. Marshall advocated friendly rela-
tions with the press and urged the dele
gates to take advantage of all forms OF
publicity In the campaign for business
The annual report up to July l. l9lt
showed that 1868 electric passenger cars
and 70s6 electric commercial cars were
in use in the United States.
James II. MCGraw, chairman OF the
Committee on Parcel Post Delivery, told
in detail Of steps taken to have electric !
vehicles adopted for parcel post and gem |
eral mail delivery by the United States |
Government He said that the propo- |
sition was being seriously considered now |
at Washington and he was hopeful con-
cerning the result.
In the course Of an address "Stimulat- /
ing Electric Vehicle Progress" Mr.. Nc /
Graw contended, "if it's profitable TO |
transport human beings electrically how |
much more would it be 10 transport |
freight that way"
The European development in the cleo
tric vehicle industry was outlined by P. |
D. Wagner He said that about 1900 |
electric vehicles were being used in Eu-
rope now, and pointed out that in some |
countries they were somewhat in ad- /
vance Of the United States in the form /
of using electric vehicles, In this con-
nection ne said that Germany had cleo |
trlc street sweepers and electric garbage |
wagons.
The annual report FOR the year up 10
septenlher 30 showed a gain OF i46 in |
Addresses were also made by Joseph |
r. Becker. John F. Gilchrist and George
S. Walker, chief mechanician Of the Phil
adeIphia Fire Department.
Convention ceremonies will he forgotten
tomorrow evening, when a ball will be
held An automobile ride Will be taken by
the delegates through the city and sub
urbs during their stay here lunch
con will be given in honor OF the visitors
tomorrow noon at the Germantown
Cricket Club.