The Washington herald., 1917-02-18
TO EXHIBIT so CARS
AT NOVEL AUTO SHOW
Californian Garden VIII Be Feature Of
Capital Exhibition,

An automobile show, planned 20 sur
pass anything Of its kind ever before
held in this city, under auspices OF the
Middle Atlantic Motor Association, Is
scheduled here for Inauguration week.
running for eight days, from March .
to II. inclusive. The Union Building
in street has been secured for the
purpose.
A few years ago only the largest cities
in the country thought that they could
AFFORD an automobile show. Nov, how
ever. there Is hardly city IN the coun-
try that is worthy OF the name which
does not have fits annual autonobile
exhibit Both factories and dealers have
found them beneficial Coming, as they
do, in the late winter or early spring.
they have a tendency TO stimulate busi-
ness, which always has q tendency to
grow dormant after the holiday season
and remain so until spring.
Sixty spaces will be provided at the
show here. There will be thirty cara
ranging in price from $500 20 500. and
about ten trucks. Applications have al-
ready been received for space from nfns
different agencies representing every
prominent motor magazine IN the nelds
Present plans would make the show
more elaborate even than the one held
In Baltimore last month. The main hoor
viii be dressed to represent a Californis
Hawaiian Quintet.
Desiring TO get away from harsh mus
sic. which would drown conversation,
the committee is planning TO engage q
HAWAIIAN quintet to furnish their music
The show will be open every afternoon
and evening except on inauguration day,
When II Will be open only in the evening,
One day will be know as Society Dsv-s
Motor car shows are an important fac
tor IN motor car merchandising for two
reasons First because they are highly
educational, and secondly, because the
motoring public has acquired knowIedrs
Of most cars which makes an Intelligent
appreciation Of the shows. Formerly
curiosity was the factor that drew the
greatest number OF the displays Today
those who attend do so because they
want TO learn about automobiles.
There are a few TO whom the eIpendi-
ture OF few thousand dollars for an
automobile has no particular Significance.
They are possessed with ample means and
can get whatever they wish. To the av-
cTage person. however, the purchase Of an
automobile is very serious matter.
Hesitate to Inspect
For some reason or other there are any
number OF prospective purchasers OF mo-
tor cars who hesitate TO visit an auto
mobile showroom. They have the idea
that II they call 10 Inquire about the car,
ask to see what Il VIII do. and so on
they will put themselves under obligz-
ton TO the firm whose car they examine
Further they are under the delusion that
once they give their name they will b
pestered for all time by the represents
tive OF the company.
The vast majority OF buyers Of TODAY
have already had automobile experience.
Having owned a car. they have a broad
general knowledge OF motor cars. They
know how to ask questions They car
distinguish between what are and whRt
are not good features
Washington's show, while II VIII not
exhibit all the cars that are handled ID
the city, promises 20 ofer plenty Of sts
traction for those who attend. Some o1
the highest priced cars on the msrkss
will be on display. as wen ss some OF Tho
cheapest
More than a year ago a number OF those
interested, either directly or indirectly ID
the selling OF automobiles, formed then<
pose OF conducting automobile races and
other events pertaining TO the motor can
They conducted some successful racS
meets, and early IN the winter decided
that stnoe there was no one else thai
seemed willing 70 take the inidativ,
they would undertake TO hold an sutomo<
bile show this spring. InRu uguration vees
was selected as the date, Il being thought
that this time would enable all desle-s
who have much outside territory 10 Eu1
their out-of-town agents here. the fnausv
ration being an added attraction