Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-10-11
THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY.

1t has been common saying for
some few years past that "the AUTO
mobile has come to stay"
If any verification were needed, 1t
could be found in the statistics OF
the Department of Commerce and
Labor.
During the fiscal year just closed
the manufactures of autos in the
United States has amounted to more
than $2s,000,000. To this may be
added imports of machines to the
value of $4,000,000.
The increase in the use of autos is
indicated by the fact that in 1900
we manufacture them to the value of
less than $4,000,0O0, and imported
them to less than the amount of
$1,O00,000.
On the other hand, we exported
$3,000,0 900 worth of autos in the last
fiscal year. About half of these went
to Europe and the balance mostly to
Canada, Mexico, the West Indies and
Australia. OF the imports fully two
thirds came from France and the
remainder from the United Kingdom
Germany and Italy in about equal pro
| portions.
The industrial effect of the United
| States of the increased use of auto
mobiles (while ii cannot be fully
measured because of the large mum
Der of people employed in their care
repair, etc. is indicated in some
degree by the figures of the census
which show that the number of wage
earners in the automobile manufac
| turing establishments of the country
Increased from 2,242 in 1900 to 10, 23.
in 1905; that the wages paid in
creased from $1,32O,65S to $6,17S, 500;
! the salaries of officials, clerks, etc.
from $294,77O to $1,060,425; and thai
the materials used, which of cours
largely represent labor, increased
from $1,S04,2S7 to s11,658,13S.
| The Importance of the automatical
ly propelled vehicle in it's relation e
the commercial and Industrial ad
vancement of this and other coun
/ ties, is perhaps, even greater thar
as mere factor in our mauufactur
ing activity. This is especially trut
OF countries and districts where lacl
OF transportation, whether in the
form of horses, railways or canals
has been an obstacle to attempts tt
develop mountain, desert and tropi
cal regions. The fact that the au
tomobiles, whether built primarily fo
passenger or freight transportation
lis being rapidly adopted in these re
gions where other facilities ar.
scarce, suggests great possibilities Il
production and commerce through
their use.
Reports from the American consul
and others have shown the practica
application of the auto I'm many o
the comparatively undeveloped coun
tries, especially In the tropics In
Guiding Mexico, the West Indies
South America Africa, India. tn,
Malay peninsula, Java, China. Japa,
and the Philippines, all of them sec
tons in which animal power 70,
transportation is scarce and devel
opment delayed by reason thereof.
But it is not necessary to look 81
Tar afield to see the increasing adap
ton. IL was said that the auto win
dicated itself during the kdays fol
lowing the great fire In San Fran
cisco. That was merely an instance
In point. 1t is yindicating itself ever,
day in all parts Of the country. An
Illustration Of increasing recognition
OF its value IL afforded locally by the
decision Of our municipal authorities
- procure an automobile for police
and ambulance purposes. That is IN
li1e with progress In other cities q
the Union.
AS the bicycle had its infuenc,
in extending the radius OF industrial
residence in and around our cities
SO the auto is extending the radius