The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], October 17, 1915, SPORTING SECTION, Page FOUR, Image 16

About The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950

Image provided by: University of Alabama Libraries, Tuscaloosa, AL

                
NEWS AND GOSSIP OF INTERESTTO THE AUTOMOBILISTS OF BIRMINGHAM I
~-“-—___. ___By ELLIS C. IlOLIiUSIS _____ 1
DA i Ub 050 AND 500-MILE AUTO
RACE ENDED, SAYS JACK PRINCE
Veteran Builder of Speed
ways Gives Views on Re
cently Constructed Tracks
and Races Thereon
SAYS BIG ENTRANCE
FEES MUST NOT BE
TAKEN FROM DRIVERS
Declares That Sheepshead
Bay Race Just About Paid
Expenses and Other Big
Races Lost Money
“The day of the 350-mile and 500-milo
automobile race is ended,” declares John
8. ("Jack”) Prince, pioneer builder of
wood tracks for bicycle, motorcycle and
automobile racing. “The Sheepshead
Boy race was most tiresome to the spec
tators after >the first 150 miles was cov
ered, and only the fact that a new world’s
record was hung up saved the day.
“Likewise, the construction of huge rac
ing plants involving expenditures rang
ing from $1,000,000 to $1,000,000 is a thing
of the past. The long distance automo
bile race craze and the extravagant idea
of constructing speedways can he likened
to the war stock craze now prevalent In
the cast. The comparative smallness of
the Sheepshead Bay money receipts and
the elimination of four-fifths of tlie best
cars and favorite drivers before the fin
ish of the race, was the one thing needed
to open the eyes ol' the public to the fact
that of the seven big speedway plants in
the country, only two have a chance to
more than pay running expenses. The
fortunate two were constructed on an
economical basis and require no huge
sums each year for interest, taxes and
maintenance.
“Another reform that must come to
pass before automobile racing on a large
scale will be successful is in the matter
of subsidizing the starters In these big
races rather than squeezing them for ex
orbitant entrance fees. The l'amou3 drlv
< rs and their equally famous mounts
draw the people into the speedway gates.
No one will pay good money Just to
look at u speedway. When these great
drivers enter an announced race and their
names are used to exploit and advertise
the race, they certainly deserve to be
Insured against a total failure to par
ticipate in the prize money on account
of some mechanical defect over which
they have no control. The promoter pock
ets the gate money drawn Into the
strong box by the names and reputa
tions of the drivers, and the driver gam
bles everything on the chance of no#
having a flaw In a piece of steel.
"When such famous pilots as Resta,
Cooper, Bui man, Dt Palma, Rickenoacker,
Wilcox, Aitken, Mulford, Pullen, Porpo
rato. and other noted drivers, gave up
weeks’ of preparation at big expense and
suddenly found themselves “out of the
money.” the situation must have provided
much food for thought.
“hi the speedways in which 1 am In
terested, l shall certainly insist in the
future that each driver starting in our
■ TOWN DRIVING |
1 I
gpj is distinguished by a supe- 34
: f I riot* comfort and security, n
HP_I The twelve-cylinder motor yields a full, 0
dani even flow of power at all speeds, a greater n
SfC range of ability on high gear, an instanta- 3w
Tpc neous, velvety “pick-up," and a smoother, Wj
s^J softer action in all situations. u
The car’s low, graceful lines and luxurious it
Wf) appointments accentuate and complete a 0
^jQ pleasurable content. X
gift The narrowed fore-frame permits shorter rQ
||K turns, a real advantage in thronging traffic;
||M while the powerful brakes act positively, Jff
jW but gently and without jar. D|
m CHARLES DENEGRE ffl
1922-24 Avenue F, Birmingham, Ala.
!25BSE525H5HSH5H5HS5H5T25E5ESE5P
ij AUTOMOBILE
n and jjj
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K COLO WEATHER STUFF OUR SPECIALTY—Eatra Lam and Heavy, Thick. Warm Fabric*. 3
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lE5E5E5H5ESH5HSHSH5E£a!55HSH5e!5HSE5H5H5H5252SaSH5H5H5Hsl
events be given a substantial bonus
10 Insure him a portion of the money
he has drawn in our box office. The
prize money the more fortunate ones
w ill receive will certainly provide suf
ficient Incentive for each man to try
to outdo the other. Otherwise, suffi
cient cars for competition will not be
found al the end of another year.
“The board track Is the only surface
for a motor speedway. Seven years ago
I pleaded with the promoters of the
Indianapolis speedway to permit me
to construct a bourd track for them.
They refused and built at an ultimate
cost of $750,000 and two and a half
mile track which has never shown as
high speed as was shown repeatedly
over a one-mile board oval I construct
ed at Los Angeles in 1910. l^ast year
1 built in Des Moines a one-mile board j
track, highly banked, over which Kaiph
DePalma in a St up/, car showed a mile
at tlie rate of 102 miles an hour. My
next speedway nt St. Joseph. Mo., will
be one and a half miles around and
1 am guaranteeing the speedway com
pany that a speed of 115 miles an hour
will be shown on it within two months
after its completion.
"To invest more than $150,000 In an
automobile speedway is the height of
folly The receipts at Sheepshead Bay
amounted to $225,000. With the $50,000
purse offered the money winners, the
actual expense of running the first
meet without figuring overhead
charges, Interest, taxes, etc., surely
amounted to $175,000. It does not take
a lightning calculator to figure the
ultimate “finish” of such expensively
constructed plants. The Chicago speed
way is mortgaged lor $1,000,000. Its
first meeting with a tremendous attend
ance. just about made actual expenses
and two subsequent meets lost money.
Of Minneapolis there is still a worse
tale to bo told. The laborers are be
sieging the speedway office daily clam
oring for wages due before the open
the course on September 4.
“The promoters of these expensively
constructed speedways base their ar
gument and prospectus on the success
of the Indianapolis speedway during its
first three annual 500-mlle races. The
Indianapolis course then occupied a
unique position in the sport and that
its success in 1012, 1013 and 1014 will
never be repeated is my guess.
"I have been at this game since its
inception, and T should know what I
am talking about. Economically and
intelligently constructed speedways,
operated economically and intelligent
ly after they are built, will bo the only
survivors. And co-operation between
the speedways and the drivers in the
way of scheduling events at distances ,
at which drivers will be enabled to
send their cars through the entire race
and giving these same drivers a share
of the money whether they “win, lose
or draw” is the only solution of the
problem. ,
“And the successful speedways will ;
1)e only those adoptiong such a policy ]
and managed by men of experience
rather than visionary stocksclling 1
scheme promoters.” ?
RUESCHAW DELUGES
WITH DEMANDS FDR
RED AUTOMOBILES
Sales Manager Exhibits
Some of Telegrams He
Has Received Charging
Favoritism
"Things have come to a pretty pass
when dealers begin to accuse the sains
manager of favoritism and set sleuths
on his track to prove it," says Sales
Manager Htteschaw of the Reo Motoi
car company.
"Just look at that batch of telegrams
—everyone of them hollering for cars
and some of them using mild cuss
words to emphasize their demands.
"Here's one from Omaha: *Jusl
learned that Council Bluffs has re
ceived demonstrators. Since when was
Omaha second to Council Bluffs?’
"Another one, this time from Kan
sas City, the middle western metrop
olis: Musi informed on reliable au
thority that Wichita has received dem
onstrator. Where do we get off at?
“Here’s one from Chicago complain
ing that we have favored Cleveland
and reminding us that Cleveland is now
only fifth city in the country.
"Just to show you how eager Krc
dealers nve to get cars and how close
\\ they watch things, here's a telegiair
that was occasioned by the peculiai
Incidence of the purchaser driving his
car home from Northampton, Mass. He
passed through Syracuse. Here’s the
wire wo received a few minutes later:
‘New Reo six just passed through
Syracuse going west. Must be plenty of
thorn. Why don’t we get ours?’
“We are shipping more than our
usual number for this season of year,”
says Mr. Rueschaw, “but seems as If
there was no satisfying the demand.
Sometimes I despair of every supply- *
tug it. hut sit that it indicates a won- i
derful condition in the country when t
people everywhere are crying for cars."
[ CAN’T SPARE EVEN
ONE AXLE FOR TEST
A peculiar condition confronts the
makers of internal gear drive axles in
this country. Home little time ago ten
tative arrangements were made for a
very comprehensive test of several
types of axles of this kind. The tests
were to have been made in an eastern
laboratory especially fitted for work
of that kind but a few weeks ago when
tin* word came tlie apparatus was
ready a canvass of the manufacturers
ot internal gear axles showed that not
a one of them could spare a single
axle at this time. Everyone is work
ing up to the full capacity of his plant
I and the tests have accordingly been
postponed until a more favorable time.
Escaped Germans bv Floating
From the Kansas City Star.
York. Neb.—Miss Luclle Deprez. a
French girl appearing in an attraction
exhibiting here, lias just received a let
ter from her brother telling of the lat
ter's thrilling escape by floating down
a stream in the Argonne region after
lie nnd six other French soldiers had
been surrounded by the (Hermans. In
i part tlie letter read:
"1 have been in this Paris hospital
j for four long weeks, dearest sister, i
I was not wounded in battle, but I nearly
lost my life floating down a small river
in tlie Argonnes.
"You see, it was this way: T. with a
half dozen comrades, were surrounded
by a German force in an engagement
In which we got tlie worst of it. We
were taken prisoners.
"That night we camped close to a
swift running brook. I had a peculiar
iottglng for home. T wanted to get
back to Paris to see mother before re
turning to tlie ranks (o fight. I made
up iny mind to lake a chance. When
the guards were farthest away T rolled
gently toward tlie stream. Still more
gently I rolled down its banks and Into
tile liver. The force ot tho stream
carried me away.
"I think I must have floated with
the stream for more than four hours.
I was becoming exhausted. The dawn
or day was breaking and a French
peasant saw me. and I was rushed to
a hospital In Pails."
Carried Message to Her Son
From the Scottish American.
Dr. Norman Maeieod, the famous
Scottish divine, before visiting India,
called on an old Highland woman in
Glasgow. "When ye gang tae India,”
she said, “ye’ll be seeln' ms Donal’ that
went away tae India 10 years ago art'
nlver sent the scrape of a pen tae his
mitlier, since."
"But. Katie," said the doctor, "India
Is a very big place and how can I ex
pect to find him?"
"O, but ye’ll just be askin’ for Donal.'
! What for no?"
So. to please the old woman he prom
ised to ask for Donald, and he con
scientiously kept his word. At various
ports he made inquiry among British
shir»s. although it seemed much like
looking for a needle in a bale of hay.
But it is the unexpected that happens.
As Doctor Marlcod's steamer went up
the Hoogly river an outward bound
vessel passed close by. A sailor was
leaning over its bulwarks, and moved
by a sudden impulse the doctor shouted
out:
"Are you Donald Mactavlsh?"
To his Intense surprise the man an
swered, "Yes."
Doctor Mscleod had only time to
shout: “You're to write to your moth
er:" as the vessels drew apart. The re
sult of this amazing meeting was that
the old woman received a penitent let
ter from her long neglectful son.
One of the Saddest War Tales
From the London Chronicle.
One of the saddest stories of the war
was that related tlie other day by a
speaker at a recruiting meeting In front
of the Gladstone memorial.
A rich merchant of Glasgow had
three soils of military age. When the
war broke out they were all away fin
ishing their education, but their mother
was lying at the point of death, and
they were summoned home. The young
men were very unhappy. They wanted to
enlist, but they knew that if they did
they might never see their mother .
again.
Torn between filial love and patriotic
duty, they discussed their position, and
tlie father, watching them. said. "I
know what you are talking about.
Looking at your poor mother, I cannot
j tell you how eorry T should be to let
I you go, but If you go I shall not re
| proach you."
I A day later, the dying mother, who
I knew nothing of these talks, said to her
. husband, "I don't want to keep the boys
here if they want to go. T feel they
ought to he in the army, and I should
be so proud to know that my boys were
In khaki."
Next morning the three young men
enlisted.
Not ■ Model Husband
From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
"Our romance began In a most ro
mantic way. My wife saved me from
drowning. She's a magnificent swim
mer. you know."
"I notice that you don’t go out very
far now."
"No. T don't know if she would save
me again."
AUTO INDUSTRY IS
THAN EMITS
Head of Overland Company
Gives Views of the Manu
facture of Automobiles
Ever since the automobile industry be
'ome one of the leading factors in the
commercial world, predictions have been
nade that a reaction would take place,
rhose prognosticators who had It all i
'igured out that the turning point would
come in 1914 or 1$15 were as near to the
:ruth as the positive individual who said
:he war could not last after June.
According to John N. Wlllys, president |
>f the AVillys-Overland company, the sta
>ilit3r of the Industry is greater today
han at any time since Its inception.
Any suggestions that the growth of
he automobile business is only tempo
ary.” says Mr. Wlllys, “is not taken
teriousely by sane thinking people who
lave watched Its growth and <seve*op
nent during the past 15 years. Twice dur
ng that time it has passed through na
lonal panics without even faltering and
s perhaps the only big industry that
»as never received a serious setoac*:.
“The demand for cars is greater today
han ever before in the history of the
tusiness. This year the Overland plant
vill produce approximately 150,000 cars
vhich is more than double the output
>f last season. Although we are siilp
>ing on an average of 500 cars a day the
he factory finds it necessary to work
ivertime in order to keep pace with the
irders that are pouring in.
“The pig price reductions alone have
nabled thousands of people to invest
n motor cars who heretofore considered
hem beyond their means. Tiie east with
vhlch the modern car is operated prob
PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMME
INCLUDES EXTENSIVE ROADS
That military preparedness for de
fense includes extensive roads con
struction, viewed from the standpoint
of the country as a whole, is made
apparent in sentiment which comes
from the Atlantic seacoast, the Pacific
slope and even the Gulf of Mexico.
Recently the Alabama legislature
unanimously passed a joint resolution,
prepared by John Craft of the state
highway department, and of course as
sented to by Governor Henderson,
which calls upon the President and
Congress of the United States, “to take
such steps as in their wisdom appears
to be most expedient to bring about
at the earliest possible moment the
construction of a national system of
good roads.’’ It is set forth in the pre
amble that “a great war now being
waged in Europe demonstrates that a
national system of good roads is es
sential to the successful protection of
a country in the event of war.’’
At the recent Pan-American Roads
congress in Oakland, Cal., among the
resolutions adopted was one in which
the congress recommended "to the Con
gress of the United States the advisa
bility of investigating the necessity of
building a hard surface highway along
the Pacific ocean side, from Mexico
to British Columbia, and other na
tional highways, to be used as military
and commercial highways.’’
Earlier in the year at a meeting of
(•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••S'
of the Maine Automobile association,
the chairman of the state highway
commission contended that the first
federal money spent In that state
should be in connection with a sys
tem of roads paralleling the coast, to
serve particularly in case of military
necessity.
At the October meeting of the exec
utive board of the American Automo
bile association with President John A.
Wilson presiding, a resolution was
Passed at the suggestion of Chairman
Diehl of its national good roads board,
"that the A. A. A. respectfully asks
the Congress in Its consideration of
federal aid in good rosifla to the several
states to bear In mind that highways
constructed in soaeoast and border
states should possess a relationship to
the military preparedness of the coun
try which is demanding such wide
spread attention."
The state and local clubs of the
American Automobile association are
calling to the attention of their rep
resentatives in Congress this action or
the national automobile body and also
asking that a bill shall be passed pro
viding for an annual federal approprl*
ation. divided among the several states
on the basis of area, population and
road mileage, to be supplemented by a j
like amount of money from the stutes S
and the total to be expended on post j
and military roads selected through the \
co-operation of the respective state
highway departments.
••••••••••••
ably accounts for the great numbers that!
ire now being sold to women.
“Instead of a luxury only indulged in j
ny people of wealth the automobile has !
>eveloped into a practical necessity. This |
s particularly true in the vast farming!
sections of the country. Statistics show
ihat the farmers are largest purchasers
>f motor cars, yet they are the last
people on earth to spend money foolishly.
Phey do not invest in a car merely for
;he pleasure part of it last. The aver
age farmer looks upon the automobile
is a time and money saver that will
permit him to accomplish more work in
ess time than a team of horses.
“In the cities the motor car has he
come almost Indespensable to doctors and
professional men. It enables them to
make more calls in a day than they
could In a week if they had to depned
on a horse or trolley car as a means
of transportation. Salesmen, collectors,
and in fact ail outdoor business men are
using the motor car to facilitate their
work.
“Every city and town in the country
can boast of its quota of cars, but the
present owners constitute only a small
proportion of the possible purchasers.
This i sevidenced by the fact that dealers
are continually oversold no matter how
large their allotments from the factory.”
Almost Twice as Many i
Any Other Make
Sold .
llupmobiles continue to be the in<
popular machines in the Philippi
Islands according to statistics just i
ceived by Vice President Joseph
Drake of the Hupp Motor Car compai
from the Philippine automobile
rectory of registered motor vehicles
to June 30, 1915. In fact, there a
more llupmobiles In Uncle's sam’s eai
ern possession than any other t
makes and within six of being doul
as many as any other automobile
any price. According to the latest st
tistlc8 published by the Estrella ai
palace of Manila there are 488 Hu
mobiles registered with a well knoi
popular priced make second with 2
and the third with 228.
Registrations in the Philippines a
given out semi-annually and the Hu
mobile has led by a wide margin
the last four reports covering a perl
of two and a half years. This is t
second report In which the Detr
made car shows a higher total th
the next two leading machines.
Bean Shooter Blinds Boy 5
From the Philadelphia Record.
Bennington, Vt.—Walter Hollister,
will lose the sight of one eye as the resi
of stealing grapes from .the garden
Charles P. Oatman, and a specialist
the Troy hospital claims there is lit
hope for saving the other eye.
With a single-barrel shotgun loaded wl
peas, the owner of the property shot
the boy at about 20 feet distance, t
shot striking him in the face. Oatm
claims the discharge was accidental.
£ i
1 P
t This car- .. ^
f \ f
£ with this additional limousine top ^
1 ^ —altjbr*950“ j
^?r U8e *n warm weather, you may have your See the Overland dealer and ask him to show H? j
’ll touring car with a one-man top, windshield and you the Model 83 with the Limousine Top. ^
side curtains. ^
V. When cold weather comes and until the damp, Have him furnish one of these Limousine R
m raw days of early spring are passed you have a Tops with your car. 4
m limousine. p
And what is most agreeable, you have both for ^ you already own a Model 83, he will ^
g a very modest sum—$950. supply you with a Limousine Top for it for $200. g
5 This Detachable Limousine Top makes a most He will also have the Model 83 Roadster with 5
g comfortable and most attractive closed car of a Coupe Top—both for $875-or the Coupe »
R Overland Model 83. Top alone for your Roadster for $150. d
g Model 86 Si* Cylinder 7 Passenger—$1145, f. o. b. Toledo g
2 Overland-Birmingham Co., Distributers A
F 2108-10 Fifth Ave. ^
| The Willys-Overland Company, Toledo, Ohio
All* manufacturer! of WiUyi-Knight automobile! "Made in U. S. A.“ ^