The Washington herald., 1907-09-08
AUTOS TO COST MORE
Increase in 1908 Models to
Range from S1OO to $500.
STEEL AND LABOR ARE HIGHER
Dealers Closing Ont 1907 Types to
Make Room for New Machines.
Prospects Unusually Bright for
Heavy Trade This FALL and Winter.
Some New Automobile Converts.

Automobile patrons waiting 70 pur>
chage the new 1908 models. which will
be on the market within the next two
months, Will, Ia nearly every instance,
tave to pay an increase of from 800
to $500 for the new design.
II is a peculiar fact that. Ia view Of
all rhe talk about the automobile being
4 repetition Of the history OF the bicy-
Gle, and that prices will gradually go
down. facts and conditions have been
just the reverse. The price of nearly
every standard make Of machine has
gone up in the past three or four years.
and this year there are few instances
where there will not be decided in
/ crease.
There are but few 1907 models on the
! market and these are being disposed OF
by the dealers as rapidly as possible.
IN some few instances at a reduced fig
ure. and there is a general preparation
for the reception of 1908 cars. These
viii arrive In the next two months.
most Of them coming in Immediately
after the fall show It has been found
difheult for many dealers to hH orders.
the demand for cars exceeding the
factory capacity. Consequently in some
| Instances, there are dealers with only
storage cars in their establishments.
The general upward trend of prices
ts ascribed 10 the increased cost OF la
Dor and material. 1t is declared by the
dealers that the demands of labor have
steadily increased. and that in meeting
these demands millions have been add
ed to running expenses of the factories.
and that the steel trust has advanced
the price OF that commodity, making
another great addition to construction
cost. Steel. in various stages, Is the
principal material entering into the
construction Of automobiles. and the
! price Of This metal has an appreeiable
effect on the price of the finished ma
chine
As a result OF the inclination Of intend
ing purchasers 10 wait and obtain new
models, the automobile business from a
local standpoint has been almost at a
FstandstiH for the past week. There have
been but a few sales recorded. and al
though the weather has, with one OF two
exceptions, been fne, there has been but
little or no touring. Although September
I marked the homecoming In this city. the
real vacation period wifi not end until
october. and but few Of those who spend
the summer away who are the principal
users Of automobiles for pleasure. VIII
not commence TO return to this city unla
the opening Of the winter social seasor.
| In consequence OF their arrival at about
the same time with the new machines, Il
| is probable there will be a rush Of busi-
ness IN October. November, and December
| that VIII set a hlgh-water mark for the
automobile trade In this city. In no pre-
vious year have the prospects for big
/ sales been brighter.
| Charles A. Douglas. Of the firm OF Doug
las & Douglas, attorneys. has entered the
ranks with a new Pope -waverly Victoria
( purchased last week
Browning & Baines, coffee merchants.
| have purchased another Pope Waverlv
| (electric) delivery wagon.
Consul r E. Mansfield, of Lucerne.
Switzerland. in reporting 10 the Depart
ment Of Commerce and I.absr on the
third annual Swiss automobile exhibit
ton, says that the Swiss show great in