The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1913-02-20
OVERLAND PASSES
GERMAN CRITICS
Attempt to Pick Flaw in Low
Priced American Car
Falls Flat.
Not One Instance of Inferior
Workmanship or Material
Is Found.

An occurrence of which little has
been said abroad but which is of the
greatest interest to American motor
car manufacturers and distributors has
recently come to sight, said F. w.
Libby, treasurer of Bowman & Libby.
inc, Overland distributors for the north
west. 1t is the report of an examina-
ton of an Overland car, made by 40 of
Germany's leading mechanical authorl-
ties in Elberfeld, Germany, as one of
the features of the relentless warfare
which has been carried on in that
country against the invasion of low
priced American cars. Though the ex
animation and test were the most ex-
haustive and severe the experts could
devise, the car came through with
colors flying. Nothing could be found
to criticize.
The Germans made one great mis-
take in their plans, however. They
announced ahead of time that their ex-
animation of the American car was for
the purpose of showing up the deticien-
cles they were certain must exist in
80 horsepower car which could be sold
f. o. b. the factory for less than $1,000.
Their findings, they declared. would be
published in trade and newspapers
throughout the empire as convincing
argument against imported cars.
An Overland model which had been
run more than 5000 miles was chosen
for the test. Part by part the car was
taken down. Each wearing part was
tested and measured as carefully as
the most delicate instruments would
do the work. Not detail was over
looked; pistons and cylinder walls,
gears and bearings were micrometered;
crankshaft and other moving parts
were tested for crvstallization. Moth
ing was overlooked.
There was dismay in the ranks of the
critics when the examination was COM
tpleted for not one instance of excessive
wear and not one evidence of inferior
material or workmanship could be found.
The car was in as good condition as
the day it left the factory. Naturally,
with the people expecting an adverse
report, there was nothing for the ex-
,perts to write about, for it would seem
inconsistent should they disclose to a
people awaiting scathing arraignment
of American methods and product their
true feelings.
But the examination has had its eff
feet, as witness the attitude since
taken by publishers who have learned
the result Of the affair. Several Ger
man trade and newspapers have already
expressed their willingness to see far
play by printing articles favorable to
the .low7priced American car "In spite
of the prevalent idea that low-priced
car must contain poor material and
workmanship, this has been proved un-
true," says in effect an article in re-
cent issue of the Zeitung am Mittag,
published in Berlin. "Quantity pro-
duction, with the accompanying lower
ing of price, naturally results in a
wider market which in turn increases
the demand, which again reacts upon
the output. This high output makes
possible a reduction in the cost of pro-
duction at still lower price. So we
have a steady cycle, tending to lower
prices, which however, will find its
limit i'm the cost of raw material and
labor.