Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-08-14
FARMERS AS AUTOMOBILE BUYERS

remarks OF manufactures on the
scare" Among Western Bankers.
Are too many of the Inhabitants OF the
United States buying automobiles7 Has
the popularity Of the automobile reached a
stage where It can be said to threaten the
financial stability of the nation? Is It
true that men have been mortgaging their
homes and farms to purchase cars?
These are questions of particular in
terest in automobile circles Also, they
ere questions Of vital Importance to the
manufacturing industry, Walter T. Elan
ders, president OF the EMF. company
in Detroit. has been exceedingly fortunate
in predicting market conditions since his
connection with the industry. He points
to the fact that his company is now build
ing an addition to it's main plant as an evil
dence Of his belief In the stability OF the
industry on the whole.
There are and always will be a lot gos-
sips who will be interested in the affairs
of their neighbors," said Mr. Flanders
IAN accomplished gossip will accumulate
and spread a lot of misinformation, par
tculary regarding persons of whom he Is
Jealous. That is the common source of
rumor regarding individual cases of al
legNd installment plan purchase of auto
mobiles. 1t is safe to say that 80 per cent
OF the seasons retail sales have been made
on cash basis. Adherence to this rule
has been one of the greatest advantages
Of the industry.
"Never in my experience have l known
OF heard of a man mortgaging his home to
purchase an automobile. Such cases may
exist, but IL they do they are merely test-
,nony to the existence of a class devoid
OF business sense or frugality, and the
members Of which would have expended
their entire resources In some other way
but for their ambition to own a car.
1.-The time is long since past in which
existed a common belief that the auto
mobile was a pleasure vehicle, available
only to the rich AS matter of fact, the
prosperous western farmer is now by all
odds the largest buyer in the market.
Nearly so per cent Of the EMF. COM
lJpanys 1910 output has gone into the hands
of owners living on farms or in small
villages where street car lines do not
exist
THE American farmer is hard
headed person. If he buys a car he does
II only after investigation among neighbors
and friends and figuring how many driving
horses he can dispense with and how much
added business he can do. The pleasure OF
riding which his new possession makes
possible Is a purely additional premium he
gets In the package
"One Of the largest-perhaps the next
largest--class of automobile purchasers IL
the medical profession. which has absorbed
a remarkable number OF light cars, of the
runabout order in particular Every
doctors automobile retires TO other EN-
ployment from one to four horses ant
buggies. The automobile needs supplies
only when in actual use on the road. The
experience of the doctors is similar TO thai
of the contractors and a large class OF
other men whose business requires rapiC
locomouon for comparatively shor
distances.
Undoubtedly the large majority of auto
mobiles sold have replaced horses this be
ing true as we'll OF the cars purchased
merely for pleasure. In nearly all cases al
automobile will pay its upkeep expenses
even when used merely In a pleasure way
II is more pleasant and less expensive L
take an evening ride than to spend tn
recreation hour OF the family in thea
ter. Short trips by automobile have yer!
largely replaced summer pleasure trave
by rail and boat All over the resor
regions OF the country there is a growini
complaint that former patrons are nov
absent from their summer haunts, remain
ing at home and using their cars as les
expensive method of enjoying a vacation
, New York Herald.