Evening star., 1915-08-01


of the industry, it is also
we'll known fact that there has never
been such shortage of cars in years.
In nearly every instance factories are
held up on account of parts ,and the
beginning of another month finds the
situation unchanged to any apprecia-
bic extent.
One of the principal reasons why
manufacturers have not been able to
keep pace with the orders for automo-
biles is due TO the steel companies be-
ing unable to furnish material with
which to carry on the work. Many of
the automobile manufacturers have
been approa ched with orders for shrap-
mel and other war material. but these
requests have been steadily refused.
Representatives of foreign govern
ments have visited several of the fac
tories, but have been unsuccessful in
their efforts. The manufacturers are
more desirous of turning out motor
cars for their patrons than furnishing
munitions of war.
orders still continue to pour into the
various factories throughout the coun-
try and every effort is being made to
supply the demand for cars. Many of
the factories are not even turning out
half of their daily production. for
naturally this situation is having a dis
tressing effect on those engaged in
this great and growing industry. One
manufacturer told me that certain
kind of steel screw used on his type
of car was holding up his entire pro
duction. Aluminium has SCARED hlgn
in price within the past few months,
and this is Just another instance Where
scarcity of this material is tieins up
productions at factories.
Dealers Want 1916 Allotments.
A vast number of dealers have signed
their contracts earlier this year than
ever before, and appeals are now being
made by them for their 1916 allotments.
Conditions are rapidly improving, how
ever. and ere long the daily productions
will have increased to such an extent
that the maximum production Will be
reached. About the middle of the pres
ent month will find nearly all the rae
tories running full time and overtime
in an effort to catch up with the orders
which are now on file. and have been
for some time past. The reduction IN
price of the 1916 models by the ma
ioritv of the manufa cturers has also
been responsi BILE to some extent for the
great rush for cars of the 1916 type.
One of the liveliest plants in India
napopolis was that of the Cole Motor
Company where al the present time an
expected increase of business at this
season of the year, the company nndlng
it necessary to increase its orders Tor
material. which it has been fortunate
in being able to do of long-esta bllshed
connections with large unit builders or
known strength and volume OF pro-
duction.
The past year has been one of the
best in the history of the company,
with every indication that the season
upon which the company is now enter
ing will exceed by several million dol
lars the business of any previous year.
During the last three months of the
fiscal year just closed the Cole Motor
Company shipped approximately 100
car loads a week to all parts OF this
country and including most of the for
records show the Cole dealer list Is
larger by far than ever before in the
history of the company.
J. J. Cole president of the company,
stated that while the stockholders were
naturally gratified at the showing made
during the year, despite the untoward
conditions brought about by the Euro
pean war, in his opinion the coming
year would be by far the best in the
history of the industry. and that the
general feeling of confidence so clearly
shown by the present demand for motor
cars, with bumper crops assured by
government reports. will bring about
prosperous era for all lines of business.
including the manufacture of auto
mobiles.
National Motor Vehicle Company.
The National Motor Vehicle Company,
according to George NJ. Dickson, gen.
eraI manager, is working to capacity
with more orders than it has ever had
before at any one period since the
foundation of the National factory fif-
teen years ago. This fourishing con-
dition. said Mr.. Dickson. would not
be possible if our country was not
sound and prosperous. One can concoct
theories and jump at conclusions all
they please but the fact remains that
this industry is enjoying the greatest
activity since it's inception. Every re-
sponsible factory is getting the benefit
of this increased business. One might
suppose-and, in fact, many did predict
it-that when the war in Europe
caused uneasiness in this country the
automobile industry would be shot full
OF holes To disprove this. any one
can verify this statement, namely: That
never before was there such scarcity
of cars of reliable make in the history
cf building cars.
Now and then we hear or read of
some business that says ii is Off be-
cause of alleged adverse times. This
may be true. but it seems like para
dox to compare with that pessimist
cOndltlOn tne 1aCt lhat, even Win IN
creased outputs by most automobile
factories. there exists a fragrant short
age of the well known cars. Some Of
the less cheerful business men laugh
at the automobile men because they
had sufficient faith to go ahead in the
face of alleged depression.
But the prosperity of these leading
automobile builders is daily bene-
fitting the entire nation in a multi
tude Of ways more than the average
layman appreciates. The present con-
dition proves the stability Of the estab-
lished car factories and also proves
that the motor car has passed the lux
ury stage and is now permanently in
trenched in our national existence as
an indispensable necessity"
Plant Running Full Time.
The plant is now running full time,
with about 900 men employed daily. A
contract was let last week for a new
building 4Sx230 feet and two stories
high. adjoining the present plant. The
outlook for the 1915 season of six and
twelve cylinder cars is exceptionally