The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-02-06
.WILEYSISBEST
POSTED MAN IN
AUTO. BUSINESS
Is Regarded by Many as the
Oracle Of the Motor Car
Industry.

Possessed with an uncommon
amount OF business sagacity and know
Ing the automobile situation like a
book, John n. WHY'S, president Of the
Wfllys-O Overland Company, Is regard
ed by many as the oracle Of the mo-
tor car industry.
His ability to forecast coming events
is nothing short Of marvellous. A
year ago, during the automobile show
in New York, he made q prediction
to the effect that when the 1916 show
took place there would be at least FIVE
twelve cylinder cars on exhibition.
And when the twin skies were counted
this year it was found that he had
foretold the exact number.
This was but another striking eX-
ample Of the foresight and keen bus
mess acumen OF the Toledo manufac-
turer. Not only has he the ability to
Judge in advance, but his knowledge
of the different phases Of the auto
mobile industry has given him the en-
viable reputation of being one Of the
best posted men in the field.
In 1913 and the year following his
calculations as to what the public
demand were almost uncanny. He
forctold the type, size and price that
would meet with the approval OF the
majority Of motorists. That he was
correct is evidenced by the fact that
the total production, amounting to
10000 cars for the two year period,
was not nearly enough to supply the
demand.
Another prediction made by Mr..
WHY'S a year ago was that the Over
land factory would be shipping 600
cars day before the end Of 1915. At
that time the Toledo plant was set
ting the pace for all motor car manu-
facturers with the exception Of one.
its daily output was averaging around
$50 cars, but even though Its growth
had been phenomenal. few people out
side Of Mr.. WHY'S believed it possible
to quadrupe its production during the
year Just passed.
However before the end of Septem-
Der the factory had fulfilled the pre-
diction OF its president Not only did
Mr. WHY'S make good on his 500 car a
day program but he increased the
manufacturing facilities OF the plant
so that it is now possible to build 1000
Icachines every twenty-four hours.
Time after time he has pitted his
business Judgment against that of ex-
rcrts in some particular line and the
result invariably has been the same.
Before the war sent prices soaring,
the material market was at normal.
Many manufacturers bought only
enough of the raw products to last
them through the next season. WHY'S,
however, decided to take advantage OF
the low prices and the result Is that
while most every automobile manufac-
turer in the country is clamoring to-
day for materials at any price, the
Overland is provided with ample sup
plies to take care Of its entire 1916
production.
On aluminium alone the WHY'S
Overland Company has been able to
save three and one-half million dol
lars while the saving on steel amounts
to another million. 1t is due primar-
lily to these economies that the Toledo
concern was able to deduct fiftysfve
dollars from the. original price of its
model SOB, even in the face OF ris.
ing material market.
Some idea of the rapid growth OF
the Overland factory can be gained
from the fact that in June the total
number Of buildings contained sew
enty-nine acres of floor space while
at present there are 4,4S6,6SO square
feet or more than hundred acres of
floor space available for manufacture
ing purposes.