The Washington herald., 1921-01-09


and plan to stay throughout the
week Of the show.
They have been planning for
weeks to go to this exhibit which
is expected to be one of the greatest
events in aUtomotive history, COM
ing as it does at practically the end
Of a slow period in the automO-
bile field. All those familiar with
this field and who have been watch
ing the trend of events for the past
few weeks look to this show as the
starter which will mark the begin
ming Of one Of the greatest years in
the history of automobiles.
1t is expected to be the means Of
reviying interest on the part Of the
automobile using public and to that
end be the means of resumption OF
business on a large scale.
A number of the Washington deal
Crs went to the show for the purpose
of observing some Of the classy new
models being put out by some OF the
auto factories to meet the popular
demand. Some OF the local dealers
will see, for the first time, new mod
els just put out by the factories
they represent.
Record Crowd Present.
From the time the doors opened
o'clock yesterday afternoon the
Palace was thrOnged, and the
crowd reached its height during the
evening session, says the reports
from the show. New York ap-
parently has again gone automobile
mad.
Twenty automobile shows have
some down into history, but never
have the cars been staged in a
more brilliant. aIluring setting than
that which greeted visitors yes
terday. There are SO different
makes Of vehicles on the four floors
Of the Palace that are devoted to
the show, and this means scores of
cars set against a background of
red and green, forming most
wonderful picture. There are cars
OF all sizes and prices, and the
stately limousines with their hand
some tapestry and silver trim
minEs, vie with the lesser impos-
ing runabOuts, which, while not as
attractive as the big closed cars,
prove a magnet for those who may
have limousine appetites. but can
afford only runabOUt bank ac-
counts.
Cars for All POcketbOOks.
This years show is easily the
most comprehensive one that has
ever been held anywhere in the
world. Cars for every pOCketboOk
was apparently the aim of the man
agement The costly limoUsines
and sedans attracted the million
aiTe, the touring cars took the at
tentiOn of the chap who has not
yet made his million, while the
rUnabouts and lighter models, drew
that part of the gathering which
never expects to have a million.
Altogether it was a real cosmOpoli-
tan crowd that attended the open
ing. many society people and prom
inent club men being noted in the
thrOnE.
Perhaps only the expert can dis
cover the changes in the cars shown
this year as compared with last.
What betterments have been made
are Of a conservative character,
radicaIism having been discarded by
motor car manufacturers years ago.
Stream lines will be found more
pronounced, they running in sew
,raI instances from the radiator
hood right back to the tonneau,
for the most part body designs are
little changed except as to their
beauty To the artistic eye the
present display OF motor cars has
never been surpassed
FOurs and Skies PredUminnte.
Engines attracted a lot of at
tentiOn from the visitors. The four
Band six cylinder type as usual pre-
dominate, but the crowd was also
interested in the eight and twelve
types that are the motive power of
without doubt each type Of engine
} has its intrinsic value, but many
manufacturers have made a sue
hess Of developing and Concentra-
. ting on the one particular design
Ethey believe best for their product.
Charles Clifton, president OF the
Z Automobile Chamber Of Commerce,
opened the show There were no
formal ceremonies, but the early
arrivals gasped at the wOndrous
spectacle that greeted them. The
main floor was a riot Of color, the
hundred or more pillars having
been covered with a trellis work to
a height of twelve feet, this being
entwined with vines and leaves,
while the red and green background
Of the color scheme provided pic
ture Of beauty, never before seen
at an automobile show. That deal
ars and manufacturers had coop
Grated magnificiently with s. A.
Miles, general manager Of the ex-
Dosition, was evident.
Planned for Crowds
. visitors yesterday were much i'm
dressed with the traffic arrange-
Tnents that have been made for
handling the crowds. An extra ele-
vator, capable Of carrying a large
number Of passengers, has been Mt
tedtup for use, in addition to the
usual battery Of passenger cars.
This additional elevator in the rear
~ the building was a big help in
handling the crowds.
The accessory exhibits attracted
thousands of the visitors. These
we're located on the third and
fourth floors, and IL was the per-
sons who at present own cars who
we're most interested. There are
hundreds Of booths displaying thou
sands Of devices that go to make for
comfort In automobile ownership,
md from the smallest cotter pin to
B ,,ecial tops that can be hoisted up
in rainy weather, they were on view
in the complete display that is a fea-
ture OF the present show.
Beginning tomorrow, which will
be All America Day, the show will
open at 10 g. m, and remain open
daily until 1880 p. m. Saturday next.
Tuesday will be Automotive En-
gineers' Day; Wednesday, Society