The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-03

the pioneers built a flat oval track,
crossed at one point by a bridge,
for the use of the more timorous
spectators. On this track demon
STATIONS were given, as well as on
wooden hill built up almost to
the roof of the building. 1t was a
short hill and not too steep, but 1t
served the purpose and helped clinch
a majority of the few sales that
were made at that show.
Difficulties in Financing.
Humorous? Yes, in a manner of
speaking. But there was tragedy,
too! Those pioneers weren't
wealthy; the refinancing of an auto
mobile factory was a thing un.
known in 1900. Some of the early
makes and some of the pioneer
makers have survived, but for a
majority that first automobile show
was a case of make or break"
But out of the humor and the
tragedy of that first show grew
the success of the industry and the
popularity of form of transporta-
ton that means nearly as much
today to the average citizen as the
railroads. To paraphrase Gold
smith: 'sThose who came to scott
remained to buy"-not many of
them, of course, but enough to
convince the exhibitors that they
were pioneering a necessity. AS a
matter of fact, they had uncovered
gold mine, but few of them were
able to work their claims.
Great Novelty in 1900.
The early cars were freaks"
w
standards lbf 1923. But they looked
fine and fair in 1900, and were a
wonderful element of novelty in a
time that knew not, nor dreamed
of, the airplahe as a commonplace;
the telephone as an everyday adj
junct to the home: the radio as an
every hour form of entertainment.
Visualize the New York of 1900,
and it is not difficult to realize
that the novelty, despite the doubt
full utility, of the self-propelled We
hicie, made an instant appeal.
There were no subways, no tubes
or tunnels under the rivers; no
radiophones; the Brooklyn bridge
stood alone in eits majesty, the
marvel of the day was
the twenty-three-story structure op-
posite st. Paul's Chapel, the cable
cars were still slamming unfor-
tunate passengers from the front
to the rear rail when the grip"
took hold, and the free lunches
were slightly more elaborate than
the menu of modern-day annual
dinner for the directorate of a big
corporation.
Industry Established.
The second show a year later.
drew ninty-three exhibitors, includ-
ing a number of foreign cars. Then
the National Association Of Auto
mobile Manufacturers was organ
lied to supervise the infant indus
try. and the commercial future OF
the American car became assured.
This organization began to stabil-
ize the business, which grew 30
rapidly that in the fifth show there
were $50 exhibitors.
The Association of Licensed Auto
mobile Manufacturers took the
reins in 1905. This was succeeded
a few years later by the National
Automobile Chamber of Commerce,
Inc, under whose auspices the an
nual shows are now held. Each
successive show has brought
greater success and greater public
interest, and progress has never
ceased except during the upheavals
due to the war. But the motor
car of today and of 1900 are
brothers.; the shows Of that year
and this are so closely related that
without the one the other would
not be representative of an an
dustry on which nearly 10000 900
persons depend for a living.