The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-02-21

leather. glass. rubber. oil and other
things.
The automobile industry now ranks
third in importance in this country.
but its influence is wider than that of
any other. 1t has done more for Mich
igan than any one thing and the fact
that it cannot help growing is one of
the brightest omens for the well-being
of the Commonwealth.
Day Of AIl-Westher Cars.
As a part of the necessity Of auto
mobiles this is the day of the all
weather car. and the sale during the
winter Of the Enclosed types has been
in excess Of that OF other years. This
car is a natural development of condi-
tions in America. and it appears this
season in a greater variety Of styles
than in the past and the usefulness Of
this type combined with the reasonable
price has made it very popular.
Closed cars were rather expensive in
the earlier days of the industry. but
the makers have learned how to keep
down the excess which the body tack
ed on the price of an ordinary touring
car until the difference is not enough
to deny the average motorist of COM
fort in the worst seasons of the year.
The cleverneSs of the 1915 closed
cars calls attention to the fine strides
WHICH tHe pouy nav
made in the last year. They had been
dependent more or less on the foreign
creations. but when Europe quit MAX
ing cars to wallow in the trenches
there was a chance for Yankee ingenu-
ity. How we'll IL has developed when
given a chance is reflected in the new
cars. both closed and open. for they are
the nattiest and quite the most invit-
ing of all the crops which have come
from the factories.
Recent shows in Detroit and else
where have been adding laurels to the
American body maker. who first con-
ceived a quantity production of quality
workmanship and now is doing his
own designing and giving the foreign
ers something to copy when they have
time.
Women Have Strong Influence.
In the gracefulness of the body de-
signs as we'll as in numerous little
things which add to the new cars the
influence of woman is evident: Wom-
an has taken to the automobile like
the proverbial duck to water. and her
number is on the increase both in
ownership and control of gas cars.
Firm the start she has been keen for
the electric and almost all of the sex
whose circumstances have permitted
have cars of this type.
Inc OlQ-tlne gas car WASH L very
handy for a woman. Some brave spir-
its tried and made a success of driv-
ing. in spite of the cranking. lighting
of oil lamps and other things which
are not found on most of the up-to-
date makes. With the change in the
of the cars and the refine
ments which came through experience
the 1915 models are just as easy for
women to drive as for men. More
women drivers are seen every day.
they pilot the cars over the ruts and
the snow and slush and they
do a good job of it.
Since the day that woman began to
pay close attention to the automobiles
which use gasoline the makers have
been working toward their comfort
Self-starters and electric lights require
only the pressing of a button. the up
holstery is better, springs make riding
more enjoyable and rain vision wind
shields eliminate. what discomfort
came with bad weather. Then there
are foot rests. robe rails and many ac-
cessories which reflect the dominance
of the woman.