The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1918-03-09
auto HANDLERS
OPTIMISTIC AT
YEAR'SOUTLOOK
Recognized That Cars Are
Essential to Nations
Success in War

ii
Stability and optimism in the in
.dustry are the fundamental features
which viii characterize the annual
autonaohile show in Fargo next
week. 1t could not be otherwise
when the industry during 1917 con-
tinued its record breaking productive
pace, which has been true OF every
succeeding year since the motor We, We
hicie demonstrated it9 utility barely
twenty years ago.
The motor-car manufacturers OF
the United States turned out In lS4I
tI.s14.gsS cars. Of which 1,69S,9S4
were passenger vehicles and l20.SSA
kcommercIal cars. Had It not been
for the natural curtailment Of the
last few months due to the CfKeT by
ali representatives Of the industry TO
1.-THE Government of their plants Tor
lthe making Of war munitions tho
production. based on the proportion
Iats increase Of the early part oc the
year. would have reached the Two
kmiflion mark In 1915 the produc-
.tlon, estimated by the National
kChanber, was I,4s5,617 cars. The
Eysar which has just closed there
fore. showed an increase in car pro-
hduct4on Of S29,STL
. THESE cars would not have been
fprOduced IL they were not wanted,
and it is the fact that the American
public recognizes so keenly the utih-
ty OF the automobile for 30 many es-
a sentiaI needs that inspires the opt
Firnism for the future in every branch
OF the industry.
The automobile business, including
mot only the finished machine as
II - #hn n
Of it's widely related interests, 10 the
third largest manufacturing industry
4 IN the country. It has survived some
severe trials during the year. It's
/ loyalty to the government ever since
the entry OF the United States into
fhs war has been unquestioned, and
81 has proved its worth from the fact
that nearly 90 per cent of the manu-
featuring facilities in the country is
engaged in supplying the government
not only with thousands Of transport
trucks, but with many other munl-
tions for the use of our army here
and abroad, as well a. for the allied
countries.
The industry including accessory
and tire manufacturers and various
other interests directly dependent
upon the automobile for commercial
life, represents an invested capital Of
more than one and a quarter billion
dollars employees nearly a million
wage earners, pays three quarters of
billion dollars in wages and sal
aries yearly, and produces and sells
cars to the value Of one and q quarter
billion dollars annually. There are
1850 car and truck manufacturers in
the country 1850 part and aCces-
sorry makers, 1880 distributors and
dealers, $500 garages, 1880 re-
pair shops. and $500 accessory Sup
ply houses. At the end Of 1917 there
were more than 1900, 900 motor cars |
and trucks registered and In use in |
the United States.
The present show fs the reply OF |
the industry to the many erroneous |
reports circulated in the last few |
weeks, such az the view Of the non |
essential character Of the automobile |
and that its manufacture was to be |
curtailed and even suspended alto !
Rether during the war, how supplies |
of steel and other materials and Of |
coal were TO be denied to the fac
tories and how the uBe Of passenger
cars for private enjoyment was to be
stopped because OF scarcity Of gas
oIins.
Whffs these reports cast gloom
throughout the trade and among US
ers, not one has materialized or been
borne out by official action. On the
contrary, they have been publicly de-
MED In Washington, and ASSURANCES
have been given by the Petroleum
Division Of the United States Bureau
Of Mines that the gasoline situation
has improved materially in the past
few months. and an ample supply is
in sight Tor ell legitimate require
menta.
Motor cars are such an essential
factor I'm all phases Of American life
that any threatened shortage Of the
supply only makes the desire to buy
them more insistent. In the present
circumstances, it is more patriotic to
buy and use automobiles and trucks
than to use horses. The motor car
increases the efficiency and produc-
tivenes8 Of the business man and the
farmer. It takes the place OF horses
and mules that are required by the
army and on the farm.
The automobile show iB the years
dfspeller Of g1oam and doubts. II
starts the year or with a keynote OF
optimism that sounds throughout the
automobile trade and reaches gem
eraI business conditions. It IL more
important to hold the show during q
period OF depression than when all
lines Of business are active.
The present show will have the