The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-11
MOTOR CAR NEWS
Local Dealers Predict q Heavy
Demand for Autos.
Expect to Sell $500, 900 Worth
Of Cars by Winter.
Topeka IS / CENTER Of TRADE.
Firms Here Handle Business in
Surrounding Counties.
There Are Not Many Changes
In the 1915 Models.
TOPEKA IS 1 Center Of TRADE

Topeka automobile dealers are OPP
timistic. They confidently believe that
moro automobiles will be sold in Kan
sas in tho next twelve months than in
any similar period in the history of
the automobile industry and they ex-
pect to get their fun share Of the
business.
One dealer estimated that several
hundred cars will be sold by Topeka
firms by the time snow falls. repre-
senting an outlay of at least half
in this city has sold nearly one hum
dred cars already this year and Is
looking forward to a lively business in
the next few months.
1t IL not only the Topeka trade in
motor cars that is handled by local
dealers. but the capital city is becom-
ing moro and more of distributing
center. Some of the firms do bust
ness in several counties aside from
Shawnee
Farmers Buy Machines.
A record breaking business among
the farmers il anticipated in Kansas
in the next year. In fact. the bumper
wheat yield and the prospects for one
Of the greatest, If not the greatest,
corn crops on record, has already
stimulated business. The farmers are
now buying machines-and some OF
them expensive cars
e. Phil Merrill, a Cadillac repre-
sentative who was in Topeka this
week and who has been on a trip
through several sections of Kansas,
said In conversation with State Jour-
nal reporter: We are optimistic re-
gardfng :. the outlook. We believe
| there Is an unprecedented business in
kHr<. n.,AN L. -.
do more In given space Of time than
ever before. They do not need to lose
I an entire day In going to town. They
/ can jump in their car, transact the
necessary business in town. and be
back on the farm in short order Con-
seQuently. they are able to accom-
piish a large amount OF work in a
day. The farmers are realizing the
Advisability of purchasing cars of
1 quality"
| J. NJ. Washburn of the Independent
Auto company. in speaking of the
tendency on the part OF farmers to
buy higher priced cars. said that he
was negotiating with one farmer who
was determined to buy either q Pierce
Arrow or the Lozter. The former,
everyone knows, is a strictly high
| priced car.
Business Is Improving.
Business is picking up among the
man. And Mr.. Kinley expects to
| place a large number of machines out
side of Topeka in the next few months.
Recent trade has been mainly among
business men and salesmen, but the
farmers have started to buy.
| H. HI. Clark, the Hudson dealer.
said: Prospects look good. We have
more future orders than at any other
time this year. We will have three
-S15 models here Eext week"
The 1913 Machines.
With the majority Of the automo-
bile makers the advent of July marks
i the close of the sOcalled 1914 season,
Not all the cars have been sold, but
| comparatively few are left and prac-
tically all of the manufacturing con-
Germs are through making what have
been called the 1914 models.
| Most of the talk among those who
are keen for, all that is new In the
automobile world centers around the
1915 models, some of which have al
ready been received in Topeka.
models thus far received. and it is not
1 expected that the new models OF other
makes will show any marked improve
| ments.
Bicycle Popular Again.
i The cycle car Is being widely ad-
lvertised and demonstrated. It has not
as vet cut into the motorcycle field
/ perceptibly. as the sale Of the two
lwheelers has been excellent this sea-
son. The motorcycle has made a
place for itself in the industrial and
commercial world. and many firms
have added machines to their service
equipment this year. Also there are
more motorcycles ridden for pleasure
1 than ever. The side car attachment
has solved a problem.
The bicycle is again coming into
prominence from the standpoint Of
pleasure. A year ago 2 girl or woman