The Washington herald., 1916-05-07
AUTO DEALERS
should ORGANIZE
Example of Retail Merchants
Ought to Be Followed
by Trade.
COOPERATION NEEDED
Car Statesmen Could Solve Many Prob,
lens More Easily by United
Efforts.
By Isl Grogan."

Cooperation is a great thng as has
been proven in numerous instances. Most
every line of endeavor has its organiZa-
ton. Men who are the kcencst Of COM
petitOrs belong to these organizations
and fTaternalibc with one another. They
do more than this-they exchange Ideas
and the result is benefit to all
Here in Washington We have a very
good example OF 1t. the Retail Merchants
Association. This week its members
leave on a trip by rail to Baltimore and
then by boat down the bay and up the
river, stopping at all the river landings.
The idea OF the trip IS twofold. First
an opportunity TO get better acquainted
with one another and, second, to boost
business. Here is a group of men that
fight one another the greater portion
of the year in the keenest Of competi-
tion but on this trip, individual business
is forgotten and all are to work for one
end. the bringing Of more trade to Wash
ington
The automobile dealers might well pro-
M from this. In other cities they have
their dealers organization that holds
monthly meetings where problems OF in
terest to all are taken up and solved.
They also have their social gatherings
similar to that of the merchants as
ISOLATION though it is in a different form,
because conditions are not alike. Every
dealer has his agents in the territory
and they have their meetings and at
these their problems are solved The
automobile trade festivity in most cities
consists of a banquet or picnic of some
sort after a short run to a selected spot.
Here we have no association to which
all belong
More Cooperation Needed.
The motor car industry is in its in
Fan nnFV rar raI yN-if ~
trade, and there are new problems
that come up every day which must be
met and solved on the spot. Each tries
to work them out to the best Of his
ability. The solution is, in many in
stances, perfectly satisfactory, but in
some cases not 10 the best interests Of
the parties concerned. The obstacles
that confront ore are a rule the
same that must be met by all Would
il not be more advantageous II they
had an organization at the meetings
Of which these tniEgs could be brought
up ana discussed. 1t is not necessary
a meetings Of this nature for anyone
to tai kabout his private business af-
fairs. and it is not intended that he
should
One problem that all are compelled
to face is the used car situation. In
Washington this end Of the industry
is handled individually and in a man
ncr that many OF tine dealers them
selves admit is not OF the most sat
isfactOry nature Just how much
used car is worth as part payment on
= new machine IS much moOted ques-
tom II is everyOn for himself. and
sometimes the man who has the car
to dispose Of Is the best salesman and
ones nearly getting what he asks for
IT, hy shopping around from dealer to
dealer and intimating. il not really
n 90
much for il. an amount that is in eN-
cess Of its value. BY agreeing on a
scale of valuation depending on the
condition Of the car and its year model
this could b largely done away with.
Could Solve Traffic Problems.
Traffic problems are always Of interest
to the automobile dealer. Concentrated
effort on the part OF those in this line
could often be Of assistance in having
repealed some rule which did not give
fair consideration for the interest of the
motor car owner. It has been done else
where and why not here. The motor
car dealer represents one Of the high
est class Of merchants in his city and
his words should bear weight. especially
50 when they are spoken as representa-
tive Of the entire number.
There Is also an educational feature
which must be given consideration.
Something new is taking place in the
automobile industry every dav There
IS not a factory or accessory or part
manufacturer in the country who would
not be willing to send their expert to
Washington to speak at any meeting OF
n organization OF this sort While the
part might not be used in the construc-
ton of any one OF a half a dozen make
machines represented at a meeting Of
this sort still as everyone likes to know
something about the other mans product
the lecture would prove very interest
ing.
The social feature would be also a
big thing At the smokers that could
he held or any other entertainment of
z like nature everyone would have
opportunity to know his competitor bet
ter The entire feeling that would be
created would be one OF friendship in
stead Of suspicion as now exists in
number Of cases.