New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-06
TRUCK SHOWS DISCUSSED
Local Dealers Consider Mere
Display of Little Value.
RESULTS HARD TO TRACE
Arthur j. Slade Thinks That
Outdoor Exhibition Might Be
of Value to Makers.

Local dealers in motor trucks appear to
ogree with the National Association of
automobile Manufacturers in the decision
that truck shows are a needless expense.
Al recent meeting of the Motor Truck
Crub the matter was discussed, and the
consensus of opinion was that these
shows do not produce new business in the
ratio Of their expense TO the exhibitor.
II was reported that one manufacturer
spent $40 in the New York show for
every traceable new prospect he obtained
still. il was clear that some sort Of ma
,onaI showing of motor trucks might
well be made practicable-for engineering
comparison, for conference of trade lead
ers and as a comparison ground for the
prospective buyer-if staged under the
right circumstances and if backed by the
right auspices. When such an enterprise
will be started and by whom is not as yet
clear.
one Of the speakers at the meeting was
Arthur ]. Slade, of the Atlantic Vehicle
Company, whose long and active connec-
ton with the industry renders his views
Of value In part, Mr.. Slade said
rs an exhibitor repaid by direct sales
made through the medium of the show?
The answer TO this query is decidedly
NO if we except the possibility of
manufacturer accidentally coming in
contact with an agent or dealer with
whom he is enabled TO make an agency
contract. II is well known that a sale
made to a truck user during the show,
and contributable in any way TO the in
Auence which the show has exerted on
the customer is extremely rare.
is the show a means of placing in
the hands of the exhibitor new pros
poets? The winter show of 1906. held
az the 69th Regiment Armory, was the
first show with which I was connected
as an exhibitor, the company with which
! was at that time identified having
truck on exhibition. The number or
prospects which was secured at that en-
bibition was surprisingly large. AT the
principal shows during the next few
years the number Of prospects grew con-
tinuously less and it became more and
more apparent that the value of show
for the purpose of securing prospects
was rapidly decreasing In my opinion
shows for the last two or three years
have been practically of no value TO the
exhibitor in this particular direction.
rs the exhibitor repaid by the general
publicity given to motor trucks by rea-
son of the show and the resulting indi-
rect benefit which his individual busi-
ness secures through this general pub
licitv? This is a question on which
III 20 is doubtless a great deal of DIFF
ference Of opinion. When motor TRUCKS
were a novelty it was doubtless very de-
sirable TO stimulate public interest.
some Of the members will recall the
motor truck competitions conducted ten
or twelve years ago by the Automooie
club of America. and the crowds when
gathered around the curious vehicles
which took part in the contests. AS far
as the general public was concerned
these were merely motor truck parades'
10 a great extent and attracted attention
purelv through their novelty, whereas our
present motor truck parades attract at
tention by reason of the large number Oh
vehicles taking part.
HAS not the motor truck industry
reached a point comparable with machine
tools and electric motors for factory USE
freight or passenger elevators for office
and mercantile buildings, steam boilers
for power and. heating, typewriters, cash
registers and similar labor-saving de-
vices in Office and store service? Would
any of these or similar mechanical de-
vices find a more extensive use through
the medium Of shows? Personally,
think not.
With many members Of the Motor
Truck Club 7 have held the opinion for
several years past that If shows were to
be held they should be in the nature OF
demonstrations rather than mere exhibit
tons of inanimate objects. II II is thought
that the motor truck is not yet suffi-
GENTLY well known and generally used to
be able 10 dispense with the motor truck
show. the outdoor demonstration or eXhi-
bition might profitably take the place OF
the show for the next few years until
shows or exhibitions could be entirely
dispensed with"