Arizona republican., 1917-03-04
HARRY WELCH SAYS PHOENIX
 AUTO CENTER
Chamber of Commerce will Work to Make Capital
 City Headquarters for Arizona $ Motor Matters

Phoenix is the logical automobile
 center of Arizona" declared Harry 1 Neich, secretary of the chamber of commerce yesterday There is ab- solutely no rsfuting the argument that
 We are in central distributing p0- sltion here The fact that the ma 1 jority of the agents for the entire
 state are located at this point proves
 that distribution from this city is more ] easily handled than at any other city 1 in the state
 l Also take the rancher. eattleman 1 or miner who is in the market to i purchase car. He Twill in the ma Jority Of cases come to Phoenix where l the dealers are located and where 1 he may examine the various makes or cars personally before determining l upon his choice
 Take the rapid growth of the auto- l mobile in Maricopa county alone. In l 1912 the assessment rolls show that l there were automobiles in AIarl- l eopa county assessed at a valuation cf | Sib6, i55- The number practically doubled in 1914. there being 646 ma l chimes assessed for a valuation of 1 S346, ,115.
 The next two years shows but q 2sht increase, the outbreak of the European conflict probably being re- sponsible for the condition Nineteen hundred and sixteen however. wit messed great increases in the number
 of machines total of 2lg5 automo-
 hiies being assessed for valuation
 of l99S75. That item alone speaks
 worlds for the present prosperity If
 the Salt River valley.
 This city located in the center of
 the state has enjoyed the distinction
 or being the only large agricultural
 center in Arizona Not onlv is t
 the automobile center but also the senter of distribution for power for driven farm impliments
 Phoenix has gained the distinction Of being the farm tractor center oE- inc state. The Salt River valley pro- duces the largest percentage Of agri- cultural products in Arizona. and be- a'ond the valley are the mining dis tricts which have this city as their logical purchasing center
 Just as Los Angeles and San Fran- CISCO. Chicago and New York lay claim to be motor show centers for their prospective states so does Phoe- nix proclaim its right to the honor of holding statewide automobile show ana II should be accomplished. next season, if not this.
 This week the show is to he staged in the big tabernacle which should preve to be very desirable accomo- dalton. Let us hope, however. that We will see the next show housed in a structure many times larger and filled with tho finest productions If automobile industry. not only pleasure. but commercial and arm as we'll Would it not be a good dea to have a section devoted en- rely to motor driven farm machines. all the latest which the brains and mechanical skill of man have been ible to produce for the improvement 'f modem farm work
 Tn Kansas city they hold each year. ! great farm tractor show. The im- lement dealers from all over the 'ountrT exhibit their products and thousands of farmers from all parts. f the country take time to visit the how and they familiarize themselves 'lth all the latest in power machin- ry for agricultural uses.
 Thus by combining all the motor ldustfles into one great show in this lty, the interest of the entire stata ould be awakened, business. agricul lral and pleasure. 1 would say that le newly organized automobile club f Central Arizona would do well to Ike steps looking to the holding of )me such great exhibit in this city the near future.