New-York tribune., 1916-07-02
An Interesting Half Day Trip for Fourth OF July
Auto Dealers
Comment on W0r
Discuss Effect War with
Mexico Would Have on
Auto Industry.

Just what war with Mexico would
mean to the automobile industry To-
day is much discussed question.
But that the manufacturers are
ready to meet any emergency ls
made evident by the reports that
come in from all branches Of the in
dustry. The automobile would, Of
course, be Of immediate military i'm
portance. But just what effect act
ual war would have on the retail
and wholesale trade is a matter Of
debate.
Henry J. De Bear, manager Of
the New York branch of the Max
well Motor Car Company, in dis
cussing this question, said: Il do
not believe that war with Mexico
would have any appreciable effect
on the retail trade. At least, not
as soon as the first feeling of de-
preston and of calamity had passed.
But, by creating a new field of use
for the motor car, the trade in gen.
eral would be stimulated.
For instance, see the use that
motor cars have been given just in
mobilizing. | know that many mill
tia men were modified in Maxwell
cars. And in Texas all the Max
well owners volunteered their cars
for military use.
Real trouble in Mexico would
also be likely to bring out new mod
els-cars that would be convenient
, and comfortable for the officers
New types of bodies with collapsi-
hle sleeping and living quarters
would undoubtedly be made. It
would not be surprising, either. if
the spirit Of the times might cause
a tendency toward military lines in
the new cars. know we have a
new speedster that have dubbed
The Artillery Speedster.'
A. G.. Southworth. manager of the
New York branch Of the Buick Mo-
tor Car Company, was of the same
opinion that seems to be prevalent
among the local dealers, that trouble
with Mexico would have no inhu-
ence on the retail trade. There is
a possibility" said Mr.. Southworth.
that real trouble in Mexico might
aggravate the shortage of materials.
But even that is hardly probable
K. f. lngerSoll, vice-president Of
the REQ Motor Car Company, says
that already the REQ is feeling a de-
clded increase, for il is doing a sub
stantial business with the United
States government. He foresees
10 change as a result of actual war
with Mexico in the general style Of
the pleasure car.
Representatives Of the automobile
industry have already notified the
authorities at Washington that
whatever is needed in motor car
transportation can and will be
promptly supplied-motor trucks 1t
the rate of 900 a day. if required.
and passenger cars at a much more
rapid rate. These assurances were
given to the War Department at A
recent meeting of the advisory
board to the General Staff. Alfred
Reeves, national manager of the
Automobile Chamber of Commerce.
said that the automobile manufac-
turers were ready to make their
offers at any time.
AT the netting" he said. I've
were asked how many trucks we
could supply day in case of a sud
den call on us. Our answer was
900, on comparatively short NOTICE.
and passenger cars in any numbar
reeded up to 1000 a day. These.
we were told, would meet any con-
tlngency.
so far as the automobile makers
are concerned, they stand ready 20
stop shipping anywhere to take care
of our country's needs. This means
that any part of a production run
ming to 100000 motor vehicles a
year can be diverted to the use of
the United States. / don't think,
however, that any demands the War
Department may make on us will
interfere with the ability of the in
dustry to take care Of private re-
quirements.
The factory members of the Ma
tional Automobile Chamber of Com