New-York tribune., 1907-01-20
AUTO ON A PINNACLE.
WHAT THE FIGURES TELL.
An Records of Attendance and Busi-
ness Broken at lShO7c.

out in Madison Square Garden and the seventh
annual show of the Association OF Licensed
Automobile Manufacturers over. All day
long the big amphtheatre was crowded TO
point that made those unfamiliar with the
markable and ever growing popularity OF mo-
toring look on in wonder. The weather
dull and gloomy, as it had been all the week.
but this had effect the attendance. and
some twenty thousand persons took advantage
Of the last day TO inspect the 1907 cars. AS the
hour Of closing approached many expressions OF
regret were heard that the greatest industrial
show ever held in this country, f not in the
world. had run its course. The wave OF popu-
lar favor which began a week ago gathered
force as the days went by. and broke last night
only because the bounds had been reached. II
broke with noise which echoed from one end
OF the country 20 the other for automobilists.
and the motor car has been placed on pin
nacle from which il is never likely to be dis
placed. unless. perchance. the day of the air.
ship comes.
TIE show has been successful beyond the
dreams of the most optimistic. and the show
committee deserves high credit. The show
proved itself, because during the whole week
incIement weather of ali the ''hfty-seven varie-
ties made it hard and unpleasant for visitors
20 attend. Right from the start, however, the
crowds exceeded those OF corresponding days
last year and those of other previous shows.
Each day the figures rolled UP record.
Even the combination OF doubled admission on
two days ana hinding snowstorm could not
stop the steady inflow 10 the Garden to the ex-
tent OF rendering inspection of the exhibits at
times almost impossible
It was formally announced that the attendance
for the week had been over $4,000 persons an
average Of some $4,000 persons a day. and these
figures alone give some idea of what a potent
has in
OF business and pleasure.
ENORMOUS BUSINESS IN CARS.
II other figures are needed TO show the un-
believer what all this hue and cry about the
automobile means. they are forthcoming. AS 10
the amount of business done. enough figures are
available 10 make a reasonably safe and con-
servative estimate that the wholesale ana retail
sales amounted 10 s1O.O0O.OOO Such figures are
almost beyond comprehension, but they are
easily verified. Four OF the biggest manufact-
urers were approached yesterday, and they did
not hesitate TO show their bookings for the week
one had sold forty cars. The prices were not
made public but the average would be low at
$1,000. according TO the price list. s2so.ooO.
Another concern had sold thirty-fve cars, at an
average OF $4,000 apiece, or 900. Stil another
company placed its grand total for the week at
1857 900, while the fourth concern sold about
one hundred cars at average price OF $4,000.
or 100000 This makes grand total in round
numbers Of Sl15O.0O0 for four makers. When it
IS recalled that there We're over fifty exhibitors
Of cars and 265 exhibitors all told, including
parts and accessories, the estimate is not too
high. There is old adage which says: Fig
ures never lie" and these figures are convinc-
ing.
There was a great deal that is OF interesting
significance about the show. In the first place.
its magnitude was impressive, and in the second
rlaoe. the extraordinary interest in IL and the
patronage of it on the part Of the public were
satisfying Even those in close touch with the
industry were surprised at the attendance and
business done. which gave emphasis to the fact
that the automobile boom is not only here but
here to stay.
GARDEN ENGAGED FOR NEXT YEAR.
That the show viii be repeated next year in
the same place and at the same season is al
ready settled. The Garden has been re-engaged
by the Association of Licensed Automobile
Manufacturers. The unprecedented glory OF the
exhibition has settled for all time the cor
rectness OF the show idea as a metropolitan
function peculiar to itself 1t IS OF too great
importance 10 be treated with anything less than
seriousness. The problem once was to I'LL the
Garden with exhibitors then TO limit the ex-
hibitors TO give room for the people; now 10
limit the attendance TO give room for the lin
ited exhibitors talk business. That there will
be days Of increased admission next year is
practically assured by the results OF this show.
James c. Young secretary and treasurer OF
the Madison Square Garden Company, who has
conducted all OF the Madison Square Garden
shows for seventeen years. said yesterday that
this show took the forward place. Early in the
week he praised the exceptional decoration, then
ne praised the cars and other exhibits. then he
enthused over the crowds. then he learned of the
business being done and enthused over that.
Last night when the show closed he said
There is no one thing TO talk about There
Is simply the word. marvellous, TO tell the
whole story"
II must not be thought that the show was
strictly a metropolitan affair. From all over the
country 1t attracted hosts Of automobists Even
the daily newspaper men from the far corners
Of the broad West. who have never before taken
interest in New York exhibitions, were on hand
working as vigorously the New York news
paper men themselves. Persons travelled from
the Mississippi Valley, from New England and
from the Southland. The Pacific Coast fur
nished its quota Madison Square Garden was
the grand court OF automObiledom
Colonel George Pope, chairman Of the show
committee Of the Association OF Licensed Auto
mobile Manufacturers. said concerning the ex-
hibition;
i am more than gratihed with the results OF
this show. IL has been great from every stand
point, and the appreciation of one Of the FORE
standpoint has been apparent that the future
OF the automobile show is assured. Complaints
nave been received from many OF the exhibitors
that The attendance mas been large and so
much interest has been DISPLAYED at the differ