Out and Home.—By " The Zztractor."
Page 12
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A Card Manipulator at the Midland.
Overleaf there will be found a typical group in the Octagon Court of the Midland tiotel, Manchester, after the Shows were closed and the animals had been fed. Here many fresh friendships are formed, countless odd introductions take place, because trade opponents find themselves cheek by jowl, grievances real and fancied are thrashed out ; often enough a fresh year is started with a clean slate. The good raconteur is in demand and quickly establishes a reputation. An interesting diversion was discovered one night, which attracted applauding crowds. Young McCormack, son of W. J. of that ilk, showed quite professional skill with some new card tricks. We do not see these gatherings in London, because after motor shows people disappear in all directions ; in Manchester and in Edinburgh you must find your way back to "the Midland" early or late.
Dodging a Garage Dinner.
" Bob' Bell, as he is dubbed by his intimates—who are many, went down, I firmly believe, to Manchester a day earlier to escape taking the chair at the annual dinner of Bell's Garage, at Frascati's, London. Bell said to me, with a smile, "I clean forgot all about it, but anyhow my partner, Sydney Birnbaum, will do it much better than I." Bell's bitterest enemy could not accuse him of being loquacious, but 1 have met few men who have drawn to themselves more staunch friends than he, and the business of Robert Bell, Ltd., has grown into something very substantial. Besides his great cab business, he has acquired selling rights for the L.G.O.C. (B type) chassis, in addition to certain types of Daimlers and 17nics ; this all betokens a great confidence in him. Apart from motoring, his relaxation is the Royal and antient game of golf, and I wrung out of him that his handicap is now down to S.
Stenson Couldn't be Drawn.
"Well I you sec the Earl of Lonsdale is such a close friend of the Kaiser's that I thought I would like to hear him speak." This was the explanation given, for being found at the A.A. dinner, by my friend Bockemai, of Peter Union tires. No explanation was needed ; he is a member of that body the same as most of us, and that great sportsman Lord Lonsdale presided over a company who received with much acclaim a brief review of their work. Stenson Cooke, one of the best motoring speakers, was loudly called for, but declined to assist in delaying a capital musical entertainment.
Kindly Caricatures.
It will be seen that we have started our personal sketches with a vengeance. Those given in this issue were mostly drawn during the recent Exhibition without the knowledge or consent of the victims. They must be regarded as slight caricatures ;, they will, think, not fail to interest. Our artist has secured some others which will appear in future issues as opportunity occurs.
Exhibitors were Content.
One or two notes in a minor key reached me from Manchester exhibitors, but the large majority was well satisfied with the week's work. I made a point of questioning many, and, making allowances for Show optimism, I gather that hosts of fresh business relationships were started and that is. after all the prime object of the exhibitors. "If I don't sell another vehicle here I shall feel contented," said several to me. The new-corners into the business must, of course, be content to go a little slowly. They have obtained an excellent send-off, and the rest will assuredly follow.