Motors and Motor-Driving/Chapter 21

by Alfred Charles William Harmsworth

CHAPTER XXI

AUTOMOBILE CLUBS

By C. L. Freeston

To say that the history of automobilism is that of its clubs is nearer the literal truth than a lapse into exaggeration. The debt which the sport and industry alike owe to these bodies, in every country where they have been formed, is incalculably great, and, however far the aspirations of the enthusiast may yet be from their ultimate fruition, the present stage of progress would not even have been within measurable reach but for the fostering care of the Automobile Clubs. Not in name merely, but in fact, they have been Sociétés d'encouragement throughout, and by trials and demonstrations in Great Britain, and races and hill-climbs abroad, have established the claims of the motor vehicle to the attention of the world.

The United Kingdom has been particularly fortunate in its Automobile Club, the exertions of whose numerous committees have been continuously arduous and self-sacrificing ever since its formation in 1897. By legitimate methods of propagandism it has gradually worn down a considerable amount of the prejudice and opposition to a new movement that were inevitable in a conservative country, and by its demonstrations of the practical utility of the motor vehicle it has entirely removed the evil but long-remaining impression of the appallingly abortive run to Brighton on November 14, 1896. Not the least important of the Club's services, moreover, is its conversion of the public, and, it may even be said, of the Local Government Board, to the uselessness and ineffectuality of the twelve miles an hour limit, the ultimate repeal of which is confidently awaited.

A brief retrospect of the Club's history may not be unacceptable to the more recent recruits to the pastime. In the summer of 1897 a few pioneers met, and mutually agreed to form an Automobile Club. On the 10th of August the Club was formally constituted. Premises were then acquired at 4 Whitehall Court, S.W., and were inaugurated on December 8. By this time 163 members had enrolled themselves, and such good progress was made that by the end of 1898 the membership had attained a total of 380. But already these early devotees were called upon to substantiate their faith, for the revenue of the Club was drained by three extraordinary sources. These were an initial expenditure of 540l. in the establishment of the Club; law costs amounting to 148l. 6s. 4d., owing to a dispute about its title; and the placing of 1l. on deposit from every subscription received, in accordance with the articles of association. A guarantee fund, however, was formed, and amounted to 1,521l. at the close of the year. Mr. Roger W. Wallace, K.C., was the first chairman, and still worthily upholds the office; Mr. Evelyn Ellis and Mr. Frederick R. Simms (the originator) were elected vice-chairmen, with Mr. Frank H. Butler as Hon. Treasurer, Mr. C. Harrington Moore (the Club's first organiser) as Hon. Secretary, and Mr. Claude Johnson as Secretary.

From the outset the Club became an active and virile force in the automobile movement. Its fixture list comprised tours and week-end runs, club dinners (which had been previously founded by Sir David Salomons, Bart), lectures and discussions, and general meetings. It exerted its influence, with others, in preventing the introduction of vexatious clauses affecting motor vehicles in Bills seeking powers for local authorities; it assisted in opposing the Westminster Tramways Bill; and it compiled a list of motor-spirit stores. In July of the same year, moreover, an amalgamation was effected with the Self-Propelled Traffic Association, and the Club thereupon became the only recognised authority on automobilism in the United Kingdom.

In the following year the membership grew apace, and on December 31, 1899, the roll was as follows:—Founder members, 287; life members, 21; ordinary, 187; ordinary town, 47; ordinary country, 41; supernumerary, 3; a total of 586. The chief event of the year was the holding at midsummer of a show of motor vehicles, in the Old Deer Park, Richmond. Races, time tests, and hill-climbing trials were conducted in connection with the exhibition, which extended over a period of eight days. The labour of organisation had been considerable, the show committee having held no fewer than forty-three meetings; but public prejudice was still strong enough to make the undertaking a financial failure, and it resulted in a loss of no less than 1,600l.

More satisfactory were the other functions of the year, for in addition to several tours a series of brake tests was carried out on Petersham Hill, in the presence of Local Government Board inspectors; an exhibition of motor vehicles was held at Dover, in connection with the meeting of the British Association; and a conference of manufacturers of motor waggons was organised to discuss the suggested raising of the tare limit. The anniversary of the coming into operation of the Locomotives on Highways Act, 1896 was celebrated on November 14 by a run to Sheen House.

Greater activity than ever characterised the year 1900, during which the membership rose to 710. In four Club tours alone a distance of 1,1963/4 miles was covered, while the year will ever be memorable for the organisation of one of the most remarkable demonstrations in the history of locomotion. This was the famous Thousand Miles Trial from London to Edinburgh and back; it was strikingly successful, and did much to remove the public apathy. Day exhibitions of the competing vehicles were held in seven large towns en route, and a week's exhibition of the successful cars followed at the Crystal Palace. A trade show of motor-cars under the ægis of the Club, but managed by Messrs. Cordingley, was also held at the Agricultural Hall, from April 14 to 21. Numerous house dinners and discussions were arranged during the year, together with three 100 miles trials on the Oxford Road, and electric trials at Chiselhurst. Automobile gymkhanas took place at Ranelagh and Sheen House, and a fete at the Crystal Palace. The issue of a Club gazette, under the title of 'Notes and Notices,' was begun, of which twenty-three numbers have been published, while eight branches of the Club were established throughout the United Kingdom. As a preliminary to an extensive campaign in 1901, moreover, demonstrations of motor-car efficiency and control were held before the County Councils of Warwick and East Suffolk, in consequence of a hostile agitation having been set afoot in favour of the reduction of the speed limit to ten miles an hour. In several directions during the year the Club was able to secure a reduction of absurd tolls levied on motor-cars, and the removal of objectionably restrictive clauses in a corporation Bill.

In 1901 the conversion of the County Councils was successfully taken in hand. Towards the close of the previous year a letter of twenty-six pages of printed matter had been forwarded to 4,412 County Councillors and sixty-five clerks to County Councils, who were now invited to attend a big central demonstration in the metropolis, or to arrange for demonstrations in their own locality. Cars were sent to various parts of the country for this purpose in the early part of the year, pending the great demonstration in June. The last-named function extended over three days, between three and four hundred County Councillors being driven on cars to Sheen House, and there entertained to luncheon before the return to town. It is certain that the ease with which the cars could be controlled was a complete and gratifying revelation to the majority of the visitors. The Chief Constables of the English ami Welsh counties were also approached by the Club in the frank and friendly manner which has characterised its propagandist efforts throughout. They had been circularised in the same way as the County Councillors, and were also invited to a demonstration in London on February 26th, which was well attended. Following a drive to Sheen House and back a conference with the Chief Constables was held at the Automobile Club premises, when the visitors were afforded every opportunity of stating their views. A demonstration was also given at Leicester on June 29th, before a large body of municipal and county engineers assembled for their annual conference. A noteworthy achievement of the year was the raising of the speed limit in Scotland from ten to twelve miles an hour, the Secretary of State assenting to that alteration upon representations from the Club. In May the Motor Union was formed in connection with the Club, as a defensive association for the protection of the civil rights of members. A special Legislation committee was also appointed in August, with two of his Majesty's judges among its members, to consider the provisions of a new Bill for the regulation of motor vehicles. The Club held three quarterly hundred miles trials, two consumption trials, two hill-climbing trials, and a week of test trials at Glasgow. Several tours and runs also took place, the anniversary run to Southsea on November 16th being an enormous undertaking, considerably over a hundred cars making the journey, notwithstanding a dense fog at the start. The year closed with a total membership of 1,154.

Very early in 1902 the Club's activities were displayed in the shape of an important trial of brake-power in Welbeck Park, in the presence of the chief engineering inspector of the Local Government Board. The results were dramatically effective, even very heavy cars being stopped inside two lengths at a speed of eighteen miles an hour. At the annual meeting of the Club on February 27, it was shown that the finances were in a satisfactory condition, notwithstanding the heavy expenditure on the County Council campaign. By a decision to migrate to new and much larger premises at 119 Piccadilly, the Club entered upon a new chapter of its history.

Of foreign automobile clubs the number is already considerable; if the various provincial clubs are taken into account a total of about one hundred and twenty is attained. The most representative organisations of Europe and America are enum-

The Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland, 119 Piccadilly

erated below, the details as to their achievements and respective constitutions being compiled from particulars supplied by their officials and from other available sources.

 

France.—The Automobile Club de France, which was founded in 1895, is not only the oldest of automobile clubs, but it is also the largest and the most influential. Its headquarters in the Place de la Concorde, Paris, are on perhaps the finest site in Europe, and are quite palatial in fact, they constitute one 'of the handsomest club-houses in the world. An elegant private theatre, a spacious garage and pleasant roof-gardens are among the special features of the establishment. The French Club has two honorary presidents, M Marcel Deprez and M. Georges Berger. The active president is the Baron de Zuylen de Nyevelt de Haar, who has ever been foremost in furthering the interests of the Club and of automobilism generally. The vice-presidents are the Marquis de Dion and M. Henri Menier. Other officers are as follows: technical secretary, the Comte de la Vallette; treasurer, M. André Lehideux-Vernimmen; members of the administrative council, MM. Abel Ballif, Comte de Chasseloup-Laubat, Edmond Récopé, and Gustave Rives; secretary, M. Chas. Ward. The annual subscription is 200 francs, and there are over "two thousand members. Visiting members of the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland may avail themselves of certain privileges of the club-house in the Place de la Concorde for a period of four days on producing a special card of introduction from their own Club. With regard to the organising and propagandist work of the Automobile Club de France, it may be said that this has chiefly been confined to the promotion of races, the results of which have exerted a widespread and potent influence in demonstrating the capabilities of the motor vehicle. The races held under the immediate direction of the Club have been as follows: 1896, Paris-Marseilles-Paris; 1898, Paris-Amsterdam; 1900, ParisLyons (Gordon-Bennett Cup), Paris-Toulouse; 1901, ParisBordeaux (Gordon-Bennett Cup), and Paris-Berlin. The other French races, referred to in the remarks in the Appendix (p. 402) on 'Races and Trials,' have been arranged by other clubs or various journals. The Automobile Club de France has also held a number of competitions as under: 1897, Concours de Poids Lourds, or 'Heavy Weights,' answering to the motor-waggon trials held at Liverpool; 1898, Concours de Poids Lourds, Concours de Fiacres; 1899, Concours de Poids Lourds, Concours de Fiacres, and Concours d'Accumulateurs; 1900, Concours de Voitures de Tourisme, Concours de Motocycles, Concours de Fiacres, Concours de Voiturettes, Concours de Vehicles de Petite Livraison (light delivery vans), and Concours de Poids Lourds. The last six were held in connection with the Exposition Universelle of that year. During the continuation of these trials the competing vehicles are housed nightly in a building under the surveillance of the Club, and the technical committee carefully notes the weights of water, fuel, grease, &c., or the quantity of electrical energy required by each. An official observer also accompanies each vehicle whilst on the journey, notes all the stoppages, repairs, and speeds arrived at on various sections of the road, and full reports are prepared and printed after the completion of the trials. It should also be added that the Club has taken a leading part in the promotion of annual automobile shows in Paris, at which the latest products of the French manufacturers have been displayed, and which have attracted visitors from all parts of Europe.

Normandy.—The Automobile Club Normand has its headquarters at 4 bis Boulevard d'Orleans, Rouen, near the Gare d'Orle'ans and the Place Carnot. It was founded in January 1900, with M. Ballif, of the Touring Club de France, as Président d'Honneur. The chief officers arc as follows:—President, M. Bridoux; vice-president, M. Mouy; treasurer, M. Naltet; secretary, M. Bonnemain. The club premises include a garage, open day and night, and members of the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland may house their cars at the following reduced tariff on presentation of their cards:—For a car weighing over 400 kilogrammes (8 cwt.), 1 day, 1 fr. 80 c.; 1 month, 9 frs. For a voiturette, 1 day, 1 fr. 35 c., i month, 6 frs. 30 c. Cleaning, 3frs. 15 c. for a car, and 2 frs. 25 c. for a voiturette.

Bordeaux.—The Automobile Club Bordelais was founded in May 1897, and its headquarters are at 2 Place de la Comedie, Bordeaux. Its chief officers are as follows:—President, M. D. Creuzan; vice-president, M. Lanneluc; treasurer, M. Igusquiza; secretary-general, M. L. Lestonnat; secretary, M. Puisarnand; librarian, Mr. J. S. Walton. There are about 250 members. The club conducts races for automobiles and balloons, and fortnightly tours. The annual subscription is 50 frs., with a like amount as entrance fee.

Nice.—Of provincial clubs the Automobile Club de Nice is undoubtedly the most active and important. It was founded in 1897 as the Auto-Velo Club, but changed its name in 1900. From its foundation the Club has annually held races, competitions, and tours of an international character, with a view to popularising the new means of locomotion and improving the vehicles themselves. The Club was also the originator of the battles of flowers, concours d'élégance, &c., which have been widely imitated. Most of the races are held in the spring, and the 'Nice Week' has become one of the classic events of the automobile year. The president of the Club is M. Jacques Goudoin; the vice-presidents are MM. Ernest Sardou and Paul Chauchard; the treasurer is M. Ferdinand Crossa, and the secretary, M. Pierre Clerissy. At 5 Boulevard Gambetta the Club has a villa standing in its own garden, a pavilion restaurant, and a spacious garage, the background of which is formed by a panorama of the Bois de Boulogne. There are 308 members of the club, the subscription to which is 50 frs., and the entrance fee 20 frs. A weekly gazette, the 'Automobile Revue du Littoral,' is issued under the direction of the Club.

Dordogne.—The Dordogne Automobile Club, the full title of which is Le Veloce Club Perigourdin et Automobile Club de la Dordogne, has its headquarters at the Grand Hotel du Commerce et des Postes, 8 Place du Quatre-Septembre, Périgueux. Its officers are:—President, Le Comte F. de Fayolle; treasurer, M. Louis Didon; secretary, M. H. Soymier. There are fifty-eight members. Members of the A.C.G.B.I, touring in this district may store their cars at the V.C.P.A.C.D. garage without charge, and will be afforded every assistance by the officials.

Belgium.—The Automobile Club de Belgique was founded on May 7, 1896, and its headquarters are at 5 Place Royale, Brussels. The King of the Belgians is its 'Haut Protecteur,' and Prince Albert of Belgium its honorary president. The officers for 1902 are as follows:—President, Comte de Henricourt de Griinne; vice-presidents, MM. de Savoye and de Limburg-Stirum; treasurer, M. d'Aubreby; secretary, Comte de Villegas de Saint-Pierre. In various ways the Belgian club has been active during the past two years. It holds an annual race meeting at Spa, and also a 'Fête du Cinquintenaire,' while in 1901 a combined 'Tour de Belgique' was successfully undertaken. The Club also devotes its efforts to the improvement of the Belgian highways, the securing of a uniform code of police regulations concerning automobiles, and the removal of foreign customs restrictions. In March, 1902, the Club organised an automobile exhibition in Brussels.

The Netherlands.—The Nederlandsche Automobile Club was founded in 1898. As yet it has no quarters, but correspondence may be addressed to Herr Joannes D. Waller, the secretary, at Driebergen, near Utrecht. The other officers are:—President, Le Chevalier de Nahuys; treasurer, J. P. Backx. The annual subscription is 25 guilders (2l. 1s. 8d.) and the entrance fee ten guilders (16s. 8d.). There are 135 members. The Club has over eighty hotels under contract, and a similar number of benzine depôts, of which it publishes lists. Switzerland.—The Automobile Club de Suisse has headquarters at 2 Rue de Hesse, Geneva, and was founded in December 1898, and has 424 members. The officers are:— President, M. Aloys Naville; vice-presidents, MM. Ernest Cuénod, A. Térond, and L. Empeyta; secretary-general, M. Hermann Potry; technical secretary, M. Paul Buchet; treasurer, M. François Panchaud. The annual subscription is 20 frs. The Swiss club is a very active body, and is doing its utmost to increase custom-house facilities and to render homologous the various regulations in force in the different cantons concerning automobile traffic. It is also extending the provision of garages and the sale of petrol among the hotels of the country generally.

Germany.—The Deutscher Automobil Club was founded on July 31, 1899, and has 297 members. Its headquarters are at Sommerstrasse 4A, Berlin. H.I.H. the Grand Duchess Anastasie von Mecklenburg-Schwerin is Patroness, and H.R.H. Duke, Frederick Franz IV. von Mecklenburg-Schwerin and H.E. General von Podbielski, Secretary of State, are honourary members. The president is H.I.H. the Duke of Ratibor, and the vice-presidents are Major Count Clemens von Schdnborn-Wiesentheid and General von Rabe. The secretary is Baron von Molitor. The annual subscription is 100 marks and the entrance fee 100 marks. Lady members pay half these amounts.

Austria.—The Oesterreichischer Automobil Club was founded on February 6, 1898, and has nearly 500 members. Its headquarters are at Kärnthnerring 10, Vienna. The officers are:—Honorary president, Count Gustav Potting-Persing; president, Count Carl Schönborn-Buckheim; vice-president, Herr Georg Goebel; secretary, Herr Josef Fellner, Kirchberggasse 7, Vienna. The subscription is 50 kronen, and the entrance fee is 60 kronen. Members of automobile Clubs with which reciprocal arrangements are in force may use the club premises for a period of four days on presentation of a special card. The A.C.G.B.I. is one of the Clubs in question. The Austrian Club has an active membership, and promoted the Paris-Vienna race of 1902.

Italy.—The Veloce Club e Club Automobilisti d'ltalia was founded in 1897. Its headquarters are at Milan. The officers are:—President, Cav. F. Johnson; vice-president, Signor O. Odorico; secretary, Cav. F. Pizzagalli. There are 974 members, of whom 258 are ladies. The subscription is 40 lire, and the entrance fee 10 lire.

America.—The Automobile Club of America was founded on June 7, 1899. Its rooms are located in the Plaza Bank Building, 753 Fifth Avenue, New York, at the entrance to Central Park. There are 301 active and 63 associate members. The subscription for active members is 50 dollars per annum, with 100 dollars entrance fee; for associate members the subscription is 25 dollars and the entrance fee 50 dollars. The officers are as follows: President Albert R. Shattuck; vice-presidents, Genl. Geo. Moore Smith, Edwin Gould, and Harry Payne Whitney; treasurer, Jefferson Seligman; secretary, S. M. Butler. The American Club has chiefly devoted its efforts to obtaining reasonable legislation in reference to the use of the highway by motor vehicles; the carriage of gasoline motor vehicles on ferries; and the furthering of the good roads movement throughout the country by the circulation of literature and by the arduous work of a 'good roads committee' of the Club. The encouragement by the Club of the manufacture of motorcars has taken the form of two successful automobile exhibitions held in Madison Square Garden in November of 1900 and 1901 respectively; while in September, 1901, a 500-miles Endurance Contest was organised from New York to Buffalo over exceedingly rough and bad roads. There were eighty starters, of which forty-two finished at Rochester, some forty miles from Buffalo, where the contest was abandoned owing to the assassination of President McKinley. In racing matters the Club has formulated a set of racing rules under which licences for race meetings have been granted to some ten or twelve clubs throughout the country. The Club has also assisted in the formation of nearly all of the thirty odd clubs which now exist in the United States, and has established reciprocal relations with the leading automobile clubs of Europe. Fortnightly Club runs are held during the spring and autumn, and in winter fortnightly suppers and lectures are given at the headquarters. A library has been established at the latter, containing all the automobile literature and periodicals of the world. The privileges of the Club are open to members of the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland for a period of ten days, on production of an official card of introduction.