The San Francisco call., 1908-03-02
Vast Growth of the
Auto Industry
More Than Ten Millions Paid in
Duty on Cars Brought
From abroad

Very few persons, including the au-
tomobile enthusiast. realize the impor-
tance Of the automobile industry. From
time to time statements have been
made Of the gigantic amount of capital
invested in the United States in the
motor car. These figures show that
the modern vehicle is one OF the lead
ing manufactured articles OF the world
and is acknowledged by all to be in its
infancy. The enthusiast, considering
the great strides It has made In the
last few years. can scarcely realize
what a wonderful industry IL will be-
come soon- Not only has the home
manufacturing been productive of an
income to the government but more
than s1o,000.OOO has been paid in duty
on imported cars since automobiles hrst
came into this country. The officers
of the Association OF Licensed Automo-
bile Manufacturers have compiled the
following statistics:
In 1905 the treasury department and the Gus
toms officials found it necessary. owing 70 the
great number Of imported cars brought into this
country at that time. 70 arrange a new classi
hcaion for this particular kind Of product
Previous to that time no separate record of
automobiles was kept By the customs officials.
the goods passing through under the clssslncs-
ton Of manufacturers metal at a duty
OF As per cent ad valorsm, but the amount Of
revenue received compared with the number of
packages drew the attention OF the treasury 70
the growth Of this industry. From records
which have been kept By the Association Of IL
eensed Automobile Manufacturers tt develops
that up to 1905 France led the world IN the
greatest output Of automobiles. many OF which
were finding a market in this country. but the
records which have Just been completed BY
the licensed association show that 1905 was
evidently the banner year for imported cars.
as the records for 1907 show material decrease
in the number OF imported cars and the value
thereof. Whether or not this is caused By the
American people realizing that IN the American
product there can be found as good cars. II not
better. than those imported. whether the
vast amount Of duty which has been paid has
brought them 70 a realization that IN paying
As per cent duty il has been necessary to pay
nearly s1i. 600 600 into the Golfers OF the
ury department. Tor which they may not have
received returned value in difference in quality
Of the cars. Is yet to be determined.
In 1902 265 cars were imported with a total
value Of ss.5s1 300; in 1903 267 ears were i'm
ported. with a value Of S2.o27 sos The differ
ence between 1902 and 1908 shows a falling OF
in the price Of the cars, as there were two
more ears in 1908 than the preceding year. with
total decrease IN value OF s654. ASP. In 1904
sos cars were brought m. at a value OF s2.240.-
900; In 1908 t.O54 cars were imported. az q
value OF S3.072. .2os; in 1906. the highest year
OF any, II .433 cars we're imported. az a value
Of s550dOO0 In 1901 there is a decided fall
Ing on in the number Of ears imported and the
value Of these cars. there having been brought
In about 1.O17 which we're dutiable
and 2s2 used and second hand cars on which
duty paid. making total number Of
imported ears OF 1870. against 1.433 fos
1906 decrease OF i33 cars The value OF
the LOTT brought IN in 1907 was S2.930.-
$50. as against s.. 100000 for 1906. OF a de-
crease in value Of S2.569.14l. This does not.
however. include taxicabs and Buses as up 10
the first OF January there we're 231 taxeabs and
10 buses and one amphIbious automobile. the
latter being IN this country IN bond. The total
value OF the ears for the six years Is s2i 152.-
654; add to this 45 per cent for duty and