The Washington times., 1909-07-11
PREDICT A NEW ERA
FOR AUTO BUSINESS
Dealers Expect Unprecedented Increase During the
Coming Season-Trade Is Prosperous in
the Northern Cities
By HARRY WARD.

DETROIT. Mich. July ia swing
around the automobile circuit from New
York to Detroit, taking IN Buffalo and
Cleveland. brings to light the fact that
the business situation IS fun of promise.
Manufacturers and dealers are enthusi-
aStio over the outlook for the 1910 sea-
son, aid the prediction is freely made
that there will be a lbs per cent in
crease over the production Of 1903, which
is placed at 10000 cars, and which has
been Insufficient to supply the demand.
If this prediction proves true. it viii
mean total business, in cars alone. Of
almost 500, 900, 600. These fg,res are ex-
traordinary and are almost beyond be-
lief. but even the most conservative
members Of the trade are agreed that
tEey are nearly correct.
In New York city the automobile trade
IS making tremendous strides. A trip up
Broadway above Forty-third street is
full of interest Block after block is
sOlidly devoted to automobile sales
rooms, supply houses. and allied
branches of the trade, to say nothing
of the hundreds of garages located. on
the adjoining side streets. The auto
mobile establishments Of New York are
a credit to the city.
The fair city of Buffalo is also alive
to the tremendous possibilities OF the
automobile business and fine factories
and handsome salesrooms, and garages
are to be found all over the city. The
leading factories, including the Thomas,
Pierce-Arrow, and Babcock. are bee
hives of activity and, in order to meet
the Increased demand that is expected
for 1910 machines, are making substan-
tial additions to their factories.
Buffalo has one of the best automo-
bile clubs in the country, and It is on
the job all the time icoldng after the
interests Of its 800 members. It IS par
ticularly active in furtherng the good
roads movement and in wa.ching ad-
verse legislation. These are the things
that count with motorists.
Dropping down to Cleveland one can
not help but be impressed with the fact
that automobiles have brought prosper
ity to that city, profit to the several
makers there, and comfort and pleasure
to the owners. The Cleveland factories.
including the Peerless, White, Winton,
Gaeth, Stearns. Rauch-Lang, are mod
ern in all respects. Extensive additions
are being made 10 nearly all OF them.
Every child born in Detroit is given
share of stock in some automobile
factory with the promise that it will
yield a dividend Of 300 per cent" Some
one has humorously made this remark
as showing how the automobile manu-
featuring industry is prospecting in De-
troit. And, indeed, it is prospecting at a
rate that is stupendOus. An analysis OF
( the situation wildly develops this fact
There are now thirteen factories in the
city, which during the 1903 season now
| drawing 10 a close viii turn out 81, 0OC
automobiles. having a market value Of
nearly S79, 10000. These figures can be
| better appreciated when it is realized
! that this industry in Detroit gives en-
ployment to 1850 men, and distri butes
yearly in wages S10.285,0 900. or So. 90,
more than the capitalization and the
| cost of the plants Of the companies
| doing business. Detroit stands at the