The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-12
CROWDS THRONG
MOTOR BOAT SHOW
Water Craft of All Sizes At
tract Enthusiasts to
the Show.

Crowds that taxed the aisles thronged
Palace yesterday afternoon and evening
There is no doubt in the minds OF the
officials of the National Association Of
Engine and Boat Manufacturers, spons-
are the best for the show. Heretofore
the show has been In February, when
midwinter conditions prevailed and snow
and ice blocked the roads to such an
extent that many exhibits were stalled
on their way to the Palace. No doubt
the idea of staging the show in December
will be followed in future years.
Not one Of the exhibitors who had
heavy boats and engines to display was
disappointed in getting TO New York for
the present exposition. All of the craft
were In place on Friday night for the
opening, and Ira Hand, secretary and
general manager of the show. was able
to leave his office and greet exhibitors
for the first time on first night Henry
r. Sutphen, president OF the National
Association of Engine and Boat Manu-
facturers, was also well pleased with the
conditions that attended the early show.
The attendance on the opening night ex-
ceeded that of last year by more than
$500. and while yesterdays figures are
not yet obtainable. the crowd was far
greater than on the corresponding day
OF the February exposition.
New York has never seen a better dis
play OF motor boat engines than the
present one. Water craft OF all sizes
and for all purposes are on the floor.
The boats range from ten foot dories TO
sixty foot cruisers, capable of taking a
party on a trip across the ocean. Engines
are In evidence from the midgets that
weigh less than 100 pounds TO the huge
models that weigh from fifteen to twenty
tons, the latter being oil burners. The
motors attracted as much attention as
the boats.
From the type OF boats on the floor
It is evident that builders are gradually
standardizing their output. This Is
noticeable not only in the runabout and
cruising models. but also in the engines.
The boat manufacturers. though longer
in the field. have evidently learned a
lot from the automobile industry In this
respect Boats are now being built In
the smaller sizes and kept In stock. the
same as motor cars. Owners can now
replace damaged parts just as quickly
as they can in an automobile.
Engine builders have not only tended
toward Standardization. but also toward
Instead of the motive power
being an intricate mass of machinery. as
1t was several years ago. II has become
one of the most accessible and easily
handled parts of boat. 1t is no longer
necessary for q boat owner having a
breakdown on a trip to wait for a tow
to get him ashore. for, with practically
very little mechanical ability, he can
troubles In few minutes
Beginning tomorrow the business
meetings of Motor Boat Week" will be-
gin. The first Is scheduled at show
in the Palace tomorrow
night. This will be the gathering of the
Waterway League of America, probably
the most important body OF its kind in
the country The organization is par
ticulary Interested in reclalming the ex-
listing waterways of the United states
and also In extending the present water
ways system. The membershoip Of the
Pacific coact and is active in advocating
Cacific coast and IS active in advocating
all legislation regarding the use Of all
waterways.
Particularly at this time is the organ
ization interested in the bill OF United
States Senator William NJ. Calder of
Brooklyn to abolish the present taxa
ton on motor boats and to introduce q
bill that will be more equitable. In the
House of Representatives Congressman
Hicks of Hicksvllle, l.. l., Will introduce
similar measure. Senator Calder, who
Is n member Of The league, has been in
vited TO speak at Mondays meeting.
Commodore Sherman Rauch of Newark,
head of the organization, will preside
and members from Boston. Philadelphia
and Newark will! attend the meeting.