The Paris Show—First Notice.
Page 16
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Great activity has prevailed in connection. with the preparation of the temporary buildings on the Boulevard des Invalides, on the opposite side of the river, across the Alexander III bridge, from the Grand Palais, during the last three weeks. Workmen and exhibitors have been working, persistently, and it is to be hoped that the Minister of Commerce, M. Doemerg,ue, who is to per form the inauguration ceremony in the presence of the President of the Republic, M, Armand Falnres, will be able to visit this section of the exhibition to-morrow (Friday). Commercial motors, motor boats and machinery, which have in previous years, been accommodated in the Serres de la Ville, now have placed at their disposition buildings which cover an area of close upon 4,000 square yards, and which have been specially designed by the architect of the A.C.F. Whereas, since the year 1903, the single charge of one franc has covered admission to all sections of the exhibition, there is, this time, to he a separate charge of 50 centimes for the new " annexe." The Show will remain open until the 23rd instant.
Parisians do not appolr to be the least disconcerted by the fact that two European capitals, Berlin and Londol to wit, have anticipated their great Salon by several weeks. They profess to look upon these earlier exhibitions somewhat contemptuously, although it remains to be seen whether this attitude can be justified by events. There has, certainly, been no slackening in the rate of fresh demand for space at the Show,
whilst both public patronage and actual business at the stands are regarded, in all quarters, as being fully assured.
A few of the more interesting exhibits, to which we shall have occasion to make more lengthy references in our next two issues, may be mentioned. The Darracq-Serpollet Omnibus Company, Limited, whose title in France, we observe, is shortened to " Darracq-Serpollet, Limited," is showing one of its standard double-deck omnibuses, with shielded chain drive, and a four-ton lorry with side boards.
Messrs. Edward Surcouf and Company, of Billancourt (Seine), whose special line is the Renard train, are exhibiting a tractor and complete set of trucks, the design being for a total useful load of to tons, distributed between four carrying units, and calculated to travel, on average roads, at a speed of miles an hour. Each of the trucks has six wheels, and the well-known system of transmission from the tractor to the driving wheels of each trailing wagon does not appear to have been modified since the last Show.
The Eugene Brillid Company, of 6o, Boulevard Pereire, Paris, has in position a double-dock motorbus of the type for which the Paris General Omnibus Company has contracted so largely, and a number of which are already working in the French capital.
The Aries Company, of Villeneuvela-Garenne, brings a large range of lorries and deliver), vans, as well as a single-deck omnibus, and the successful running which this company was able
to show in the Frencli commercial trials, of this and last year, appears to have brought a considerable volume of business to its works.
Renault Freres, Limited, of Billancourt, anticipates that most interest will attach to the company's motorcab, large number of which are on order for London, whilst this vehicle has already caused a most favourable impression by its behaviour in the town carriage service of Paris itself, Amongst the foreign exhibits, the improved Ducommun chassis, constructed at Mulhouse (Alsace), is likely to attract much notice. Examples are shown for a load of goods reaching as inuch as six tons, and for double-deck omnibuses. This company fits engines from t8h.p. to 30h.p., and has a Paris dell& at IS, Boulevard Magenta. A large number of representative Swiss, German and French makers place the exhibition, so far as may be judged so early, in advance of its forerunners.