Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-11
GREAT VOICES
VISITING THRONG
AT AUTO SHOW
10000 Persons Already
Have Acclaimed Artis-
tic Displays
ALLURING COLOR PLAN
Black and White Setting for
Gay-Colored Monarchs of
the Highways

Great" is the exclamation OF ever!
one who passes through the door Of Con
vention Hall and views the 18th annua
automobile show OF Philadelphia More
than 10000 persons have visited the shov
and It is estimated by officials Of the.Au.
tomobile Trade Association under whose
auspices the show is being held that all
previous attendance records will he
broken.
The Philadelphia show beats the New
York show of last week to frazzle." said
President Paige. OF the Paige Detroit Mo-
tor Company today. ut is not so large,
but II is real show
There is plenty Of room and everything
is much more artistic" And the famous
automobile designer glanced at the life
size frieze just above the gallery balcony
which depicts Grccian maids in an
ancient dance The maids it must be
briefest OF tuncs
The color scheme at the show for the
most part is black and white, but It is
by no means so gloomy as It sounds It
is color scheme that sets off to the
greatest advantage the sparkling scarlets,
greens, purples and what-nots of the
huge motors. Then there IL plenty Of
bright colored bunting twined about the
booths. And not the least OF the bright
display are the vari-colored lights which
wink and glow like Jewels In an Oriental
mantel.
LARGE FOUNTAIN IN CENTRE
In the centre of the hall large foun-
tain gives n woodland effect to the show,
with pine trees grouped about to repre-
sent the forest The figure of maid.
modelled after one OF the ancient master
pieces which have been unearthed in mod
ern times. stands In the wa ankle-deep
and nings water to the c. ing. She is
supported by a cast OF plaster water
nymphs whose blase expressions are won
dering what it's all about. Beside the
fountain are several low-hung white cars
that look exactly like bathtubs in their
watery surroundings.
From this centrepiecc the booths radiate
in all directions. II is a simple matter 20
follow the displays, due to the thought
fulness OF the committee in charge OF the
show In placing artistic columns with the
name of the car ON a sign. Bowing, scrap
ing. handsome statesmen are gathered be-
hind the nlckC,-plated '1ils which guard
most OF the exhibits. Here and there a
salesman particularly endowed with tine
gift of CAB" stands on n chair eXorting
the throng with such fire and passion that
the crowd of listeners is almost moved
to cheers at the end of each passionate
II ask yuu," whooped one today "have
you ever seen chassis to beat this one?'
and he, banged his. fist down on the poor
chassis with such force as almost to
wreck II.
"Noi' me crowd is moved to reply.
CARS 'TNNARDS" ON DISPLAY.
The inmost "innards" OF the cars are
laid bare in nearly every display to the
gaping throng. Glass plates have been
prepared In most cases to provide cross
section view of the bearings in action
while tiny lights inside make things still
more clearly visible.
The most noticeable Improvement in the
new 1915 models is the tendency TO tighten
the motors wherever possible by the use
Of aluminium and reErrangement of the
parts so as to distribute the weight more
evenly. on many of the cars the
cylinders have been cast In "A solid piece.
On the Marmon 1916 cars even the tenders
are of aluminium, while much OF the body
is OF the same featherweight material
The straight lines which most of the
models present make the modish cars
even more stream-line In effect than last
year. Nearly every car has some feature
In its engine, brand new this year. that
Is claimed TO be revolutionary. Sales
men even shoot their cuffs and straighten
their ties as they attempt to impress
this point on the listener Hit of the |
show and "revoutioniZe" are the two |
expressions that every model salesman |
has at his tongues end. There aren't |
any Texas leaguers' or scratch hits. |
a home-run-at least accord !
ing to each waX-mustached and be-dia- |
monded gladiator behind the rails
CAR VALUED AT $500
Some of the cars, however. really were
more fought over than others, though |
each received plenty Of attention. The |
most expensive car at the show is the |
"6," which is valued at |
1890. Ii is a thunder chariot and no |
mistake. The cost Is figured more in the |
engine than In the body When IL takes |
flight there isn't a car made that is as |
sweet and trde, according to ). S. Thorn |
ton. manager OF the Simplex exhibit
The next eostliest car is a LocOmoblle |
model limousine, with folding top. Its |
market price Is Sl00. Mr. George Wild |
ener owns one of the Simplex models and |
Mr.. Henry Dlsston announced his inten- |
ton. at the show, of buying one like |
wise. One of the Locomobile has been |
sold and several are floating
A large thTong was gathered around |
The Packard display today. Two cars |
that were in the New York exhibit ar |
sjaeulations from those standing about,
One Is a roadster done up in battleship |
gray over the hood and turtle" back. |
The body is OF black with a very hand
some scarlet design on the doors. Be /
low the fender-line the color Is white. |
The wheels also are white. The whole |
effect of the car is summery and sug-
gests white sands and dainty feminine !
frocks.
over against this car is set a cluster of
cars each more elaborate than the other |
There Is a limousine, the front seats of |
which are done In patent leather. The !
poor chauffeur has hard time Of il these
days. The cabin" is the last word In
luxury, from the depths Of its silky-plush
upholstery 10 it's foot cushions and van
~ case for milady. Another limousine In
the same display boasts OF gOld-plated
lixings. and has the handsomest blue and
gray Interior Of any car at the show
These cars are only worth a paltry $500,
though they often serve to tote about
members Of even the first families.
THE CASES COLOR SCHEME.
One car al the show is binding all COM
efs with the orilliance OF It's color scheme
IL ls 4 Case. Il glories In a magnificent
coating Of orange, which Is fairly daz-
rfine until one gets accustomed to H. and
tnen one Is practically knocked fat by
she enthusiasm Of the interior decOra-
fions. The seats ana sides have been
covered wlth zebra plush, black and
..h44a II IA the kind Of car thar would