facturers in helping them to improve their product as well as in advertising their wares.

A member of the Automobile Club of America said that of 2 automobiles starting from one place together, the best is the one that gets there first; and there is something in this. High speed is a fine test of constructional merit and inasmuch as racing means high speed, it is to be condoned in a measure for the good it has done abroad.

The Vanderbilt Cup race, to be held this fall, is almost the first long automobile road race to be held in this country, and the fact that it may inconvenience a few people on Long Island, should be no valid objection to it, or to any similar race that may hereafter be held, if there be any chance of its improving the automobile or improving American roads, bad as these are known to be. Doubtless, in the future, automobile racing will be confined to special tracks of goodly size, where the turns are so gradual that there will be little danger of skidding or upsetting, and where, in case of accident, the loss of life, or injury to persons or property, will be the lowest possible.

A race between high power machines is extremely fascinating. This is proven by the big crowds that at

tend these exhibitions now given on tracks made for horse racing, the surfaces of which are undesirable for automobiling, not being of a suitable size or shape.

That the automobile is going to displace the horse entirely is an absurd prediction, especially when the sporting phase of automobiling is considered. A man, if he can afford it, will have both horses and motor cars, if he likes them, as well as a yacht and other articles destined to give pure enjoyment. As well say that sail boats are doomed because auto launches, so called, are becoming popular. It is not likely we shall see horsemen turn automobilists, nor automobilists turn horsemen. A man who is both ought to be the best company.

LOUIS

The automobile exhibit at the World's Fair is one of the most popular features in the immense transportation building. At the Chicago exposition II years ago there was no such department as the horseless carriage section, yet here are over 75,000 square feet of floor space devoted to American and foreign motor cars of every size and price, from heavy auto trucks to the lightest of runabouts. In some booths, early inventions stand beside the newest models.

The luxurious railway passenger coaches

building is divided into 2 parts, the American and the foreign. The former has a distinctively American decorative scheme which thousands of visitors admire. The walls of this part of the building are covered with red and green burlap to the height of 12 feet, and above that white and yellow bunting hangs on the walls and is draped gracefully from the ceiling. Thus the unsightly rafters and framework are hid by a jaunty covering, and gilt panels on the green and red burlap produce a dignified setting for the handsome automo

in a neighboring section do not show more radical changes from the lumbering stage coaches of 1831, clumsily put on rails and propelled by a locomotive, than do the superb tonneaus exhibited with the automobiles of early design. The automobile of a few years ago was a horseless carriage and nothing more; what it has been evolved into is seen in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition's display. The motor car of to-day is a miniature palace car where occupants ride as princes. In one foreign touring machine, among a score of new accessories is a writing table which may be unfolded and the tourist may write while he scorches!

In all there are 39 booths and over 200 automobiles exhibited at the Fair. The automobile section in the transportation

bilcs. Down the 2 main aisles, 20 feet broad and 650 feet long, are white and gold standards which carry brass signs done in fretwork, giving the names and makes of motor cars.

The exhibit of automobiles which is made by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers is arranged differently from former shows. Heretofore each maker prepared his individual exhibit, and the result was a conglomeration of decoration; the space allotted was not equal, nor the locations alike to all makers. A number of manufacturers in former exhibits had to take spaces comparatively small and in poor locations, in which case the showing was not satisfactory to the maker or typical of the magnitude of his business.

At the World's Fair a new plan is in

operation. The exhibits of all the members are in one fair group. In the American section this group covers over 40,000 square feet, or nearly 80 per cent. of the entire auto sections. No one manufacturer arranges his decorative effects according to his individual taste, but the whole space is laid out as one, and the rugs, signs, furniture, and everything necessary to an impos

ing display is installed by the Association. There was no attempt to prepare anything tawdry or obtrusive, but the setting is dignified, as becomes the industry. All the exhibitors had to do was to bring their cars. They have co-operated in every way with the Association and the cleanness of the place is remarkable. There is an entire absence of gasoline oil, or anything that would stain the polished floors, strewn with rich oriental rugs. The Automobile exhibit unites art and utility, but the cars are the attraction. If they were shown in a barn people would go to see them. All the great Western States are interested in this show. It is to them what the Madison Square Automobile show is to Easterners. Hundreds of orders for machines have been taken for deliveries to the Louisiana Purchase States and those still farther West.

In the American section are several features of special interest to automobilists. The new White steamer which has been put on exhibition is larger than the 1904 cars also shown and will be the model for next season. A number of orders have al

ready been given for it. This new machine has a longer wheel base than former models and an even more commodious tonneau of the King of Belgium type. Motorists will appreciate this improvement. The new steamer is beautiful in finish, weighs 2,000 pounds and is rated at 15 horse

power. This 1905 model carries 15 gallons of gasoline and water, and can be run 150 miles on one filling.

Next to the White is the Grout steam car, in several different patterns, one new car being for 1905. This machine has condenser tubes which will envelop the front of the car like wings. The aluminum finished tubes are placed just under well designed and polished bronze corner base pieces and form an agreeable outline for the forward part of the automobile. These tubes are mechanically correct as well as artistic. The new car is being studied eagerly by visitors, for many people want a cheaper light steam car, with a condenser to save too frequent stops to fill the boiler. Grout Brothers hold the record of being the first exhibit ready for opening day at the World's Fair. They were also the first to take out permits for demonstrating machines to be run from the automobile entrance of the Transportation building out through the Plateau of States. Nearly onehalf of the manufacturers at present use demonstrating cars.

The Winton car in the booth across the aisles from the steamers as a 1905 model which shows a horizontal engine with all the cylinders on one side of the shaft. Other sections such as the Olds, the Electric Vehicle Company, the Haynes-Apperson and all the first class American works have adequate displays.

The foreign section of automobiles in the Transportation building covers 20,000 square feet, and has 54 exhibits. It shows many interesting features, for the foreigners exhibit chassis as well as the complete carriage. The French work is as well finished inside as out, and they are not ashamed to show what they can do. The Renault exhibit, which consists of 5 machines and 2 chassis, shows the firm's improved engines and superior workmanship. The Georges Richards Brazier display has

2 cars and one chassis on the stand. The chassis show the type of engine put into the car which won the Gordon Bennett cup June 17th last. The Clement-Bayard firm exhibit 4 cars of their specialty, the voiturette. The coachmakers of Paris, Kellner & Sons, Rothschilds and Botiaux, each have excellent showings of upholstered carriage bodies for automobiles. Kellner surpasses in designs of bodies and in finishing. His C spring victoria is the most artistically shaped car at the show. One Frenchwoman had the pleasure of trying the car and said that it was a "Paradise des dames." In this booth is an old diligence similar to the heavy wagons used in France before the introduction of railway coaches. It is painted yellow with a claret molding and is greatly admired.

The foreign section shows one electric carriage and one steam machine. Jeantaud was one of the first French manufacturers to develop the electric automobile, and he has made great advance, as is shown by his

coupé and cab. The steam machine is a 40 horse power Turgan which has a 4 ton carrying capacity, and is used as a heavy delivery wagon through the country districts of France.

The Touring Club de France has an exhibit showing the principal touring routes of the French Republic.

The Mors section shows some of the finest cars yet turned out. One in particular, a tonneau coupé is much admired. Another car is a side-door double phaeton, of 25 horse power, which has a canopy top and a glass front and back.

The De Detrich section contains a Berlin Limousine car of 40 horse power which is exactly similar to the touring car built for King Edward of England. The interior is of curly maple, beautifully inlaid. It is in this car that the unique writing table is found. The seats are revolving chairs. Another interesting feature in this exhibit is a racing boat 27 feet long which has won 8 pennants in France.