The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-03
SOME NEWS AND GOSSIP OF INTEREST TO AUTOMOBILE
 DEALERS AND OWNERS
BY CLYDE w. ENNIS

In local automobile circles 1t is under stood that the Firestone Columbus com- pany will shortly make arrangements 10
 promote more actively their interest in the
 Birmingham district. The company has
 now an agency in Birmingham, but it is anticipated that owing to the growth of
 Birmingham and the growing popularity
 of automobiles here the officials will be
 persuaded to invest considerable sum of
 money in Birmingham
 B. M. Payne, travelling representative
 of the company, was in the city during the past week. He looked into the sltua- ton closely. He held innumerable con ferences with various automobile men here and while he did not make any state ment for publication, 1t is believed that within a short time Mr. Payne will re- turn to the city and make definite ar engagements to erNter the local field exten- sively.
 IL is stated that the Firestone concern
 will follow the example of the Highland garage and open a downtown store for the sale of their cars. The opening of the salesroom will call for the placing of a large number of cars in the place of late models, and will represent very large sum of money. The purpose of the agency
 will be to further promote the sales of tile company and to get in touch with the general situation.
 The organization of the Automobile Dealers association, of which former Judge Dan A. Greene is president, has excited a great deal of interest among the local automobile men. SThe get to- gether spirit that actuated the organiza- ton indicates, according to the general impression, that the local dealers are coming closer together for various reas-
 ons, and that eventually there will be a concerted action toward definite purpose which has in other cities tended to de- yelop the business.
 Judge Dan Greene, who heads the asso-
 citation, is one of the best known automo- bile dealers in this state. He has been
 given position of great responsibility
 with the Studebaker corporation, and has since being with that company taken a position second to none in the local trade. The other officers are well known automo- bile dealers who have their hearts in the
 work. The entire situation from those
 who are observing the organization is very encouraging, and indicates a fine spirit among the local dealers.
 Over $So000 was brought to Birmingham
 during a recent week by the Drennen sales forces from outside towns and cities in this state by sales of Cadillac automo- biles. Salesmen for the company made a trip on which they sold a large number of Tears to various well known persons living outside of Birmingham. The entire state vas covered by the forces, and their
 success was phenomenal. It is stated that the large sum of money brought to Bir- mngham was the highest point ever reached in a financial figure from such trips as was made by the Drennen com pany forces.
 During the spring months it is stated that trips similar to the Drennen one will be made by local dealers for the pur-
 pose of introducing their cars to the out side trade. In that event, and with the
 ham will be considerably benefited by the sales.
 The efforts that are to be made to get the Gldden tour to come by Birmingham has the enthusiastic support of local au- tomobile men. The visit of Mir. Milner of Washington county to Birmingham yes terday and the day preceding is expected
 to bear good fruit. He called upon the civic officials and the city commissioners