The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-01
Hard Work, q Herculean Task.
Says George Daniels Of
the Oakland.
MANY STEPS ARE NEEDED !
And Care Must Be Observed Re.
cause Big Money Is
Involved.
~ GEORGE e. DANIELS.
President Oakland Motor Comma,

There are no short cuts to success. II,
the automobile business any more thar
there are In gaining knowledge Bot
como by application and hard WORK L..
business you cannot accomplish the mira.
uious In a short period. II takes Tim.
and money. Experiments must be mad.
Tests must be made. Metals must be
tried and divers other things done. From
the time drawings are started IN the
engineering department. it takes. as a rule,
q year before a car Is ready to bs placed
on the market
slow and careful. Each step is proved
before proceeding. There must not be
single flaw anywhere. The mechani-
cal part must be a harmonious unit The
chassis must be true. There must be a
division of weight There must be u trus
mechanical relationship between each
unit, otherwise ono part may cause
trouble.
In the design three groups of men are
engaged in the work. The chief engineer
Is primarily concerned about the chassis
This Is the most important work and hs
watches every step with minute caro-. Ono
Of his associates has in charge the design
Of the body while another looks after
equipment. But all OF the work IL under
the direction of the chief engineer.
When tho engineering department. 70
ready with Its plans. that Is when ne
car Is ready ION paper tho general Tnan-
ager and sales manager are called In
and ascertain the practicabiity OF the
model. These men represent the pur-
chaser. They do not want to build any
thing that will not SELL 90 changes may
be proposed, suggestions offered and In
other ways Is given advice. The executive,
sales and engineering departments in
order to produce a worthy product, must
coo M q fha fullgst eXtent.
After the frs car Is completed II =,
taken on long runs. extending thousarjf
Of miles. As rule the hardest roufa'
are followed. for Il is desired 70 prove
to the entire satisfaction Of the vho.'
oreanizs ton that the car has the reces.
sary stamina. on these trips every item
OF Importance is watched-the gasolen'
consumption, the power of the motor tl'
riding qualities and the action In gen.
erai. Ali these things are observed. Al
engineer usually drives the car on tr.r'
like this and Is accompanied by an ~
pert mechanic.
These tests are followed by close -
animation Of the chassis on the return
Of the car Every unit Is d!sa sseuplei
and a careful examination is made -
everything---the bearings. pistons, crari-
shaft, piston rings. Transmission gears
and rear axle gears. All this Is done -
the purpose OF finding out any weakils-'
or wear that may have occurred on 80
hard runs.
And It is only after every one is sais'
fed beyond shadow OF a doubt i1.'
actual production begins Companies. "a
Il rule. 90 not build less than hft--
hundred cars of a certain chassis. ~
us suppose that Il lists for $1,000. - '
therefore necessary 10 purchase ml|.'
Of dollars worth Of material. " The "..
yineers have made = mistake Or W.
company stands u losc vast susr-. "
If slcn a car " marketed il may '.'
the company he reputation. 20 n
hooves companies to b. douolS sure
marketing new mode. Ard thry are