The Washington herald., 1913-05-25
AUTO NOTES.

The steadily growing Importance of the
automobile as a vital factor in the world $
progress has been clearly shown during
the Balkan war. King Ferdinand. of Bull
garia. constantly directing his force from
motor car. which is in daily use at the
front.
The Bulgarian ruler has found his ma
chine Of such invaluable service and
such wonderful time saver that he has
JUST ordered another car-equipped with
the Silent Knight sleeve-valve motor
manufacturers of the Mercedes Knight
car.
King Ferdinand wishes his new car
delivered at the front Immediately in
order that he may have the use of II in
pushing the final struggles of the war
against the Turks and also to save time
carrying on peace negotiations.
In this connection II is interesting TO
note that in many of the recent army
maneuvers on the contingent, Knight
motored cars have been used by the vari-
Gus rulers. and in most instances Knight
motored cars are recognized as being
the cars of royalty and as such accepted
as the standard cars OF the countries in
question.
Statistics furnished by the United States
government to inquiring economists of
the automobile industry do not determine
the number of used cars shipped as ex-
port products to the four corners of the
world. A secondhand automobile, as a
rule is "old machinery" in the eyes of
Uncle Sam.
Yet there are abundant reasons for men
In the industry predicting that there
never will be a serious problem in the
United States due to a threatened over
plus OF used cars. IL. the foreign field for
the secondhand machines is properly
exploited.
Going still further as the result Of data
furnished the United States government
by officials OF the Mitchell-Lewfs Motor
Company. OF Racine. Wis. the political
economy students say that in the export
of used cars under the auspices OF a well
equipped official organization that will
protect foreign buyers would be a source
Of great financial returns.
With branches in the best distributing
centers to dispose OF American used cars
and offering some definite responsibility
or guarantee to foreign customers. there
is little doubt that the profits would be
tempting, satisfactory and mutually
agreeable The critics are certain also
that this form of outlet would remove the
menace feared by apprehensive American
martnfscturers-thato Of plethora Of used
cars.
TN continental Europe and elsewhere
there is no demand for the latest model
car" said an expert on exporting con-
ditions. That every used car not alb
sorbed in the United States can be sold
and at a profit abroad is evident from a
study of the data OF shipments made
during the last few years by big con-
cerns
"A positive reply to the query: Where
do the old automobiles go?' is found in
the repair department Of the Mitchell
Lewis Motor Company. Orders for parts
for models built as far back as 1912 in
the Racine plant frequently are received
by the Mitchell-Lewis Company. These
orders originate in all parts OF the world.
The vets generally are sold to foreign
countries where the vanity of owning a
this years model does not exist.
often orders for parts for cars that
have been doing service in South Ameri-
ca, Russia, and India for seven or eight
years-these were second hand machines
when sent there-are accompanied by re-
quests for the latest catalogues. The
old model autos that are efficient are do
ing the work of good statesmen for the
American industry, even in far away
India"