New-York tribune., 1910-01-24

Portuguese East Africa as an automobile
mart is the latest novelty in the motor car
industry. Many will find it hard to believe
that the gasolene vehicles have penetrated
the sandy wildernesses of that distant
country, yet the latest reports prove that
this is fact
This particular section Of the Dark Con-
tinent has long baffled all efforts in the line
of transportation. as horses and cattle are
generally attacked by deadly disease from
which only per cent recover. Something
had TO be done TO remedy this difficulty, as
the country was losing trade and pros
perity.
In this crisis somebody saw the possibili-
ties of the automobile and imported an
American machine. costing IN the neighbor-
hood of $3.50 in this country. although the
amount paid for the car when IL reached
East Africa was nearly s1,40o. When the
machine made its first appearance on the
streets of Lourenco MARQUEE the natives
hailed it as the greatest wonder of the
century, and with it's instant success came
orders for others. so that In November,
1909. according to George A. Chamberlain,
United States Consul. there were four ma
chimes of different make in the Portuguese
town. These have proved that they can
of sand and still make good time.
In his report to the State Department
Mr.. Chamberlain says, in part:
During the present month CNovember,
1909 four motor cars have made their ap-
pearance on the streets of Lourenco Mar
Quez, and a lorry of very special construc-
ton Is on the way to start the battle
against the eighteen-inch sand of the sub
urbs.
The lorry was ordered by the local gov
ernment from a European firm. The con-
price is fixed % at ABOUT $1,000 to 0 be Is paid l in
three instalments, as the car succeeds in
performing the various feats of the guar
things, a carrying capacity of four tons
through eighteen-inch sand at eight miles
an hour. hauling capacity OF eight tons,
and the performing OF a trip under test
conditions to the suburb OF MarraQuene
nineteen miles out of Lourenco MARQUEE
There is. a limited market here for a
around town. Four have come in this
month, and 1t is safe to predict that next
year will see this number increased by
twenty. The market for traction, freight
and agricultural cars, if properly worked.
is unlimited. Horse sickness and tick
fevers will prove unfailing allies to the
manufacturer.
Some American automobile manufacture
ers have seen nj 70 sell their entire export
business to New York commission houses.
The manufacturer reasons thus: II costs
him $500 to turn out his car. big COM
mission house agrees TO give him s. 600 per
car If il be made sole export agent He
thus makes a solid profit and is free from
the trouble of studying export and found
ing an export department He signs a con-
tract and thinks he has made a successful
deal, but that contract is to a large degree
the destruction of his export business The
commission house takes over the car at
s. 600 and contracts agencies with eStab-
lished firms all over the world, fixing the
retail price at 81, 800. The agency gets
net sum of s75 per car sold. Charges, in
surance. freight and duties. say. SOS. The
commission house pockets the difference,
500. just what the manufacturer made on
his car.