New-York tribune., 1907-03-18
TIMELY AUTO TOPICS.
Rain a Welcome to Manufacturers
Repair Shops Failing off.

The rain that fell yesterday was greatly ap-
preciated by the automobile manufacturers as
IT will help TO get rid of some of the snow that
has kept most of the streets In such deplora bic
condition for the last few months that only the
most enthusiastic automobilists ventured out.
The who in better weather take the cars
out for demonstra tions have had an easy time
keeping indoors and counting the flakes of snow
that fell. Some of them declared that If some
thing did not happen TO clean the streets they
were afraid they would have to start all over
again in learning to run the cars
Several automobilists in spite of the terrible
conditions of the roads. last week took the best
advantage Of them by making an endurance
run to Boston. While they were compelled To
travel through slush and snow up 10 the hubs
most of them made good showing, and gave a
clear demonstration of the running capabilities
of their cars under poor conditions
"The Horseless Age IN it's recent number
says:
one respect a very marked change in the brsi-
ness of garages. The repair department of most
such concerns has shown a noticeable falling of
In business as compar6b with other branches OF
the service. Three or four years ago the renair
of cars was one of the greatest if not the chief
source OF income OF the average garage, but II
has now, TO a certain extent, sunk To a subordi-
nate Importance and the supplying OF cars with
gasolene and OIL washing, polishing storing and
renting, or. In other words the normal functions
Of the garage have correspondingly increased m
prominence.
Two main causes have led to this result Dur-
Ing the last two years cars have been produced
by most manufacturers which have proved in
service 10 be in remarkable degree free from
serious breakageS and not given 20 wearing
out rapidly. ii be truthfullv said thai
among the cars of these recent wears serious
breakages and other arrangements are actuaIIy,
as uncommon as such miSfortunes were COM
fonplace among vehicles of the earlier davs
As these newer and more reliable vehicles take
the place of the older ones the repair business
naturally suffers very heavily ann, the Cbiof
business Of this branch Of a garage becones tLa
making of adjustments and minor repIacaunaDtS 9
and certain amount of tire work
Fully as important in its effect uDOn the 5a
cline of the repair business as the cause inst
mentioned Is the increase of knowledCe and SLiII
upon the part of the user. He not only driy-ae
more reliable car. but he knows how 10 Onsr
ate IL infinitely better than he did wear or
two ago. All ordinary minor difficulties he is
now generally able to remedy himself and there
is very little in the way of towing tobs . as
compared with a few years ago. The superior
intelligence of the user Obviates breakdoU'ns or
allows OfstheiT repair without calling upon the
garage for assistance.
OF course, there is still a good business done
in yearly Overhauling of cars and in keepine the
older and less reliable ones In commission hut
the garage is no longer the automobile seeneraI
hospital that II once was. More and more por
age proprietors are coming 10 depend upon the
income derived from the sale OF supplies and
small motor car accessories, upon the storage
and cleaning service, upon electric charging and
selling of cars. II is evident that the most
palny days" of tAe repair business ara past