The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-11-10

Best Modern Cars
OF Cosmopolitan
Make and Origin
Foreign Manufacturers Are
Ready 10 Adopt American
Good Points.

c. r. Mabrey. manager Of the Import
ers' Automobile Salon. In a recent letter
dealing with American versus the inn
ported automobile, ventures some note
worthy observations about the future OF
the industry.
After showing the utter futiHty Of the
contention that there is fight for ex-
tinction between the European and
American makers, Mr. Mabley writes.
"An industry i built Up by the de-
mands OF human beings. no two Of
which are apt 20 agree on exactly the
best method Of accomplishing a result
or the best result when accomplished
The consequence is that progress is de-
handing more strongly every day the
recognition Of a compromise brought
about in one Of Two ways, either by al
lowing one branch TO supply the needs
Of a people who prefer the products OF
thar branch. and the other 10 supply
the demand which favors its product;
or, BY assimilation. ia which the best
Of each branch is eventually combined
for the superior product at the highest
price. and the remainder resolved into a
combined product of a lower grade
which also fills an ever-increasiug de-
two processes viii eventually apply in
the solution Of the America versus for
eign automobile question. as they are
fundamental principles applicable TO any
industry.
Confidence IN American Mechanics.
7 might mention as an indication in
favor Of the former the increasing con-
hdence in the American mechanical
world, In foreign engineers and pro-
ducers. Hitherto. Americans were Ioath
10 admit that there were any engineers
or mechanical brains anywhere IN the
world worthy 10 compete with them.
We may thank the imported automobile
as an enlightener and educator in this
respect IN addition to the great body
Of American automobile buyers, we have
very enlightened class Of purchasers
today who realize the value of the
workmanship and selected materials OF
the foreign car, and prefer IT,
so we have continual converts TO the
foreign car in principle and practice,
and We also have an increasing number
OF converts 10 the lower price. and all
that il represents Of American manufac-
tuTc. The advantage in the proportion
OF the business is undoubtedly with the
merchant who sells at the lower prices
always. on account OF the original lower
investment and on account Of the more
numerous rcplacuments. This condition
calls for the purchase by one individual
OF a greater humber OF units in a given
number Of years than in the case OF the
foreign car, where the purchaser looks
more 10 the permanency Of his greater
first investment and naturally expects
70 handle fewer units IN the same length
of time.
Points That Appeal to Foreigners.
las an argument for assimilation we
have tie daily increasing number Of
foreign car makers selecting and using
good points Of American design and
some particularly desirable material per
tinent to America, and the recognition
of the necessity and desirability OF meet
ing American conditions generally.
SO we have the peculiar spectacle OF
foreign cars with American road clear
auce. tread wheel base, and American
bodies. and American cars with a for
eIgn design of GLASSES. German design
of transmission. French and German
made coils. magRetos. springs. aNles
frames, and even whole motors. cast
ings. ard a widespread recognition Of
foreign workmanship in many of the
most important parts OF the autOmO-
bile