Vanderbilt Cup Races

No NY State Militia

One reason that contributed to Long Island not being the 1907 venue was the lack of support from New York Governor Charles Hughes to authorize the state militia to manage crowd control. 

New Jersey Wants the Race

New Jersey automobilists proposed to have the race in their state, however the state senate and assembly would need to amend its strict automobile laws in order to permit the race.  (The Motor World, July 4, 1907)

Arthur Pardington, acting Chairman of the Vanderbilt Cup Commission, met with NJ's Governor Edward Stokes in early July to discuss. 

The Governor was supportive if the local townships were given the authority to close public roads during the race. 

After initially being adverse to the idea, the Governor changed his position when shown the economic benefit that accrued Nassau County from the previous year's race and that all expenses would be incurred by the Cup Commission. 

NJ's Vanderbilt Cup Race

Local NJ papers put forth their own suggested routes, such as the Perth Amboy Evening News calling for a 30 mile race in Mercer County.  (Perth Amboy Evening News, July 2, 1907)

Unlike in NY, the Governor of NJ would call up the militia to police the crowd. (The New York Times, July 2, 1907)

Looks like Long Island will not host the race. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 6, 1907)

The NJ State Assembly easily passed a bill (31-5) allowing local townships to authorize the running of the race "over the improved roads and in a proscribed course".  (The Evening Star and Newark Advertiser, July 6, 1907). 

Proposed Routes of the NJ Vanderbilt Cup Race

By mid-July, several routes were discussed within various counties with consideration given to the number of towns and villages the race would go through, the topography of the land, no railroad crossings and avoidance of large cities.  (The New York Times, July 14, 1907)

Note the NJ license plate, anybody know any sources that will help identify the owner?  (The Automobile, July 11, 1907)

Eight routes were compiled ranging from 22 to 50 miles.  (The New York Times, July 14, 1907)

Willie, the Cup and the proposed routes.

Opposition

Opponents to a NJ Vanderbilt Cup Race made their voices heard as they were concerned with harm to residents and providing a playground for millionaires.  (Perth Amboy Evening News, July 3, 1907)

A challenge to the constitutionality of the new NJ law permitting the race (if passed) was brought by noted lawyer Xenophon P.  Huddy, considered an expert in automobile law.  (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 18, 1907)

A death resulting from the race would "constitute a criminal homicide".  (Horseless Age, July 17, 1907)

Opposition was also voiced by the state's "horsemen".  (The New York Times, July 18, 1907)

The NJ Cup Race Would Not Happen

After about a month's efforts to bring the race to NJ, it never was given the okay.  (The Evening Star and Newark Advertiser, July 20, 1907)

Opposition, calling the race "a test of special speed freaks . . . particularly among the younger element" overruled the proponents.    (The Horseless Age, July 24, 1907)

and noted the race would "inculcate the speed germ in every spectator of the sport".

Now it looked like neither Long Island or New Jersey would have the 1907 Vanderbilt Cup Race!  (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 26, 1907)

The author of this editorial appears to put the chance of being killed from watching an automobile race less than watching a baseball game ("scores of people have met their deaths watching a well-ordered baseball game").   Need to research that one! (The Automobile, July 25, 1907)

Other possibilities?

At some point in mid-July, the Governor of NJ denied he ever said or did anything favoring the race.  But on a positive note, other states also offered to hold the race.  Those efforts will be covered in the next post in this series.