The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-23
WAR WILL BOOST
AUTO INDUSTRY
u. S. Now Will Become Fac
tory, Forge, and Farm
For Europe.
FARMERS TO GET RICH
More Machines Than Ever Will Be
Sold in Rural Districts, Says
John N. WHY'S.

The European war will act as a posi-
tive boost to American business in gen.
eral. and the automobile industry in par
ticular, in the opinion of John n. WHY'S,
president of the WiIlys-Overland Com
pany, who expressed his views in a
cablegram from London. For two
months Mr.. WHY'S has been making a
study Of conditions in Europe at close
range, and is thoroughly in touch with
the situation both at home and abroad.
The English are not slow to see the
great opportunities for trade extension
given to the United States by recent
events" writes Mr.. WHY'S. Sir George
Parish, England's foremost financial
writer. declares that the war will bring
great wealth to American industries and
an economic benefit TO the people of the
United States. He prophesies that
Americans will be able to sell their crops
at prices which will give them a much
larger income than could possibly be
realized had there been no war or dan
ger.
simply Stating Facts.
i do not believe in capitalizing the
misfortunes of others War is the
greatest calamity which can befall a
civilized community from a purely COM
mercial point of view. The precipitation
Of hostilities has brought ruin to many
Europeans, and I know that the sympa-
thy OF every true American goes out to
them in this crisis. But putting aside all
sentiment l am simply stating facts that
are patent to one who is in the field, and
which think should be brought to the
attention of every American business
man.
The call for army reserves through
out Europe has completely demoralized
the industries on this side of the Allan
tic. Many of the largest automobile fac
tories practically have been unnamed.
Only a very small numbeC-of automobiles
will be built in Europe until there is a
cessation of hostilities and the warlike
atmosphere has cleared.
In the meanwhile the entire field will
be open to the American motorcar man
ufacturers. There may be some difficulty
in shipping cars to European ports, as
they may be declared contraband goods,
but the rest OF the civilized world will be
free from European competition and is
Americas for the taking. And once the
people who have heretofore bought auto
mobiles of foreign manufacture discover
the superiority of American cars, Eu-
lost.
within the past few weeks Overland
dealers have shown their faith in the
future Of the industry by materially in
creasing their contracts for cars for the
coming season. They are close students
Of the market and are not misled by
false optimism. We fully expect to sell
1000 Overland cars next year
Banner Wheat Crop.
The country has the greatest wheat
crop in its history. Coinciding as It does
with the European war. il means mil
lions to the growers. Dispatches pub
lished in London state that the first mob
ilization Of troops FASTENED the export
movement of grain and that the price of
wheat has advanced greatly.
1T is understood that all European
countries will not only prohibit the ex-
portation of their own wheat, but even
go so far as to remove all duties on its
importation. Extra inducements doubt
less will be offered to forward grain from
the United States.
This will create an enormous demand,
and as the greatest wheat producing
country in the world, the United States
will reap untold profits It means money
for the American farmer. and his finan-
cial status is the best criterion on which
perity. Y = prophesied by Overland deal
ers throughout the country that the next
twelve months will see a record sale of
automobiles among the rural population
Other American industries have an
equally bright prospect With business
in Europe at a standstill, America will
become the factory. the forge, the farm
and the one big source from which the
other nations OF the world must Of ne
Cessity draw their supplies
Business conditions throughout the
united states are sound. Our financial
system Is backed by the strongest ma
tional resources in the world. Our banks,
sefe and solid as they are. have been
rendered doubly secure by the Federal
reserve and the great amount Of emer-
Eency currency recently put into circu-
latIon.
The great need Of the United States,
as seen with the perspective of the Euro
peans. is internal peace. In this world
crisis American citizens should forget
all petty animosities and narrow politi-
cal agitations. There should be no inter-
ference with the orderly processes Of
business. The administration should as
sist in maintaining the satisfactory and
fortunate condition in which the coun-
try finds itself With the rest Of the
world at swords points. our own peace
and prosperity should he doubly appre-