The Washington times., 1916-01-03
AUTOMOBILE SHOW.
AT new YORK IS
SETTING NEWMARK.
Holiday Crowds at Grand Cen.
trail Palace 0utnumber
Those Of Previous Years.
By MONTE W. SoHN.

NEW YORK. Jan. 3.-Each year,
consistent with the rapid development
Of the automobile industry ana the
increasing interest on the part of the
general public, II has been said, This
is the greatest year in the history of
motordom."
The holiday crowds which filed
Grand Central Palace for the an
nual automobile show far outnum-
bered those of previous years, but
more significant than the mere num-
bers of visitors, is the fact that most
Of them showed an intimate knowl-
edge OF the technical matters. The
great majority of these devotees pos
sess surprising understanding of
the mechanical essentials, and woe to
the sales representative who does not
know the necessary answers to the
hundred and one questions on the part
Of the motorist. past or prospective.
In. Freight Jam.
A few of the cars intended for the
show were caught in the freight
quicksands for a while, but the
threats. cajolings and diplomacy of
exhibitors were effective, as practi-
cally ali OF the cars are now on dis
play.
Today marked the beginning Of
a series Of banquets and conventions,
notably the annual banquet OF the
National Automobile Chamber of
Commerce at the Waldorf on Tues
day, the Motor and Accessory Manu-
fActurers' Banquet on Wednesday, and
the s. A. A. +. banquet on the same
evening at the Plaza Hotel
Mechanical deVeloDment In rare is re-
narkable. but the most drastic changes
have been in body making. These
changes have been not merely in design,
hut are marked in construction as we'll
Sheet steel and aluminium are in great
er evidence than ever before. and It is
question which of these metals will ulti-
mately occupy first position in this de-
partment of automobile making. Each
is popular
UphoIstery-and in many instances It
Ia woman who dictates the selection of
materials and designs-has received par
ticrlar care as to detail. Instead Of the
button arranEement' many cars are
covering being sheer and the folds elm
mated. The effect may be little less
artistic than heretofore. but it unuues-
ttonably offers unusual advantages when
busting and cleaning are necessary.
Have Swivel Seats.
Seating arrangement is varied and
new. Many novelties are incorporated in
the new models. dainty innovations OBJ
viously for the peculiar benefit OF wom-
en-. and the essentially practical improve
ments for the man. Numerous cars
havo swivel seats. which may be turned
completely around. enabling occupants
to face forward. sideways. or
backward. as best suits their conven-
ience. Almost all the limousnes are
featuring disappearing auxiliary seats.
which fold swing. or drop back into the
tonneau wall to be hidden by the tapes
try covering.
The tapered radiator is predominant.
and while there are a dozen different
styles of finish. the general lines Of the
radiator are narrower than in previous
years. This is. of course. simply
wrinkle of motor fashion, and while It
follows the style of the racing car is
not dictated by 1t. but is the distinguish
ing mark OF the latter day car.
The four-seated roadster and the con-
Vertible top (Which has already been
seen on a number of cars throughout the
country are in great favor.
Considerate of the motorists constant
demands for more power on hills the
bodies are lighter and builders have
made them less cumbersome in cases
where 1t is intended that they shall be
removable. Two of the side doors are
eliminated in quite few of the touring
models. and new methods of moorlng the
body to the frame make the rattle"
practically mill.
this greatest of all automobile shows.