The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-02-22
MOTOR GOSSIP
BY .sr' GROGAN.

Friends of Rudolph and William Jose
will be sorry to learn OF the death Of
their father, Jacob Jose, yesterday morn
ing.
Automobile freight cars are so scarce
that We have been compelled to resort
to shipping Bucks by express in order
that We may keep up with our delivery
schedule. Since coming to Washington,
have received a wire from the factory
stating that they had just shipped 800
machines by express to Boston," said
r. II. Collins, sales manager for the
Buick Motor Company, who was in the
city for a short while yesterday.
B. +. Zimmerman, manager Of the
Stewart Warner Service Station, who has
been on a visit to the home office in
Chicago for the past ten days, again is
on the job.
The wescott will be represented in
Washington by L. J. Quinn. Mr.. Quinn
has two carloads of machines on the way
and has obtained a showroom in the
Connecticut Garage, on NJ street between
Fourteenth and Fifteenth.
There was time-not far back-when
the motor car industry was unlike that
Of other products which had long been es-
tabnshed. 1t was just evolving. It was
in the process of development. The sew
eraI great epOChs in construction and de-
sign had not yet been passed. The auto
had not yet ceased to be a curious joy-a
luxury. Consequently abnormal elements
IN the business prevailed and no one could
say what the next day might bring forth,
These were the reasons why the motor
,Tr11 90 rr11N for
his inventory the rest Of the year and
then sit back and play the role of con-
ventiOnal prophet. Prophecy at that date
was an uncertain employment.
But in spite of the fact that the motor
car industry as We know it today is only
about a dozen years old, the conditions
just pictured have completely changed.
Gone is the romance; gone are ele-
ments Of uncertainty. Great epochs have
come and gone, leaving the automobile Of
recognized name and reputation staple
product that has its established place In
the world of industry along with the other
necessary commodities.
Consequently. given normal general
business conditions. the motor car man
ufaCturer now can make comprehensive
survey OF business conditions and issue
prophecy as to what the season will di-
vulge with the same degree of accuracy
that Is expected OF any other commercial
executive. In making that estimate of
the prospects for the year he is governed
by a few general principles that apply
largely TO all manufacturing industries.
First Of all. the years OF evolution have
weeded out many OF the unit. The cars
Of recognized reputation today are 80
recognized because they have been built
along sane lines and with the idea Of
giving the greatest possible value for the
money. Perhaps Honesty is the best
policy is a little trite, but 1t has been
observed recently by one Of our wisest
manufacturers that the world needs to
hear some Of these old maxims and So
called bromides reiterated with emphasis.
The present year Of 1916 will therefore
see a select list of cars dominating the
industry, established on solid rock OF
stability. For these 1T few, prosperity
seems to be in store. II is not difficult
for the layman these days because he is,
as a rule, pretty well informed about au-
tomobiles- He who runs may read.
These cars, the result of the develop
ment along the same lines and OF the
soundest and highest principles of manu-
featuring ethics, are facing a certain de-
mand. Generally healthful conditions Of
the country will help make the situation
one presaging prosperity. Then, too,
there is the ever widening scope of the
market. In this country the farmer.
happy with good crops, Is preparing to
buy more high-grade cars than ever be-
fore thought possible. He now wants a
standard car OF high grade and not
shoddy article, thrown together to sell
in a hurry.