The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-13
AUTO MAKERS IN BIG
WAR TIME MEETING
Get Important Information on
Present Demands and Re-
quirements for Future.

Evidence Of the manner in which the
automobile industry is converting to war
work was shown at the meeting OF the
National Automobile Chamber of Com
merce when, the traffic committee
report showed carload shipments Of
automobiles for the month OF september
to have been only 11.7oo. as compared
with 20.5SS for the same mpnte last
year One plant after another Is con-
yerting to war work as rapidly IS posi-
BILE. some of them with rs per cent Of
capacity for the Government, with others
on a full 100 per cent basis.
It was estimated at yesterdays meet
ing. at which Charles Clifton presided
and which was attended By 103 manu-.
facturers, that contracts for Government
work to an amount exceeding 100000
009 have been taken by the automobile
industry, resulting in continues curtaH-
ment OF passenger car production as the
work Of conversion Is brought about
This includes the making OF airplane
motors, tanks, tractors, trucks. mine an
chors, trailers. guns. rifles revolvers re-
coil mechanisms, steel helmets. ambu-
lances, field gauges and scores of other
articles for the war programme,
Probably no other industry in the
country Of a similar size or Importance
has sacrificed so much Of it's product to
supply the Government needs In a big
way as the automobile Industry. which
is the third largest manufacturing in
dustry of the country.
At a meeting of the truck manufac-
turers in the afternoon the makers
listened to reports Of the gasolene and
tire situation which indicated ample
future normal supplies for all useful
motor car driving.
The makers are carrying on a cam
paign for conservation Of all kinds Of
materials used in automobile factories.
Including repair parts. with the elimina-
ton OF equipment of a character not ABB
soiuteiy essential
The export committee meeting re-
ported to the chamber its plans for ex-
ports of automobiles after victory Is won.
Exports Of the automobile industry have
exceeded 500, 600, 900 q year. and coun-
tries throughout the world look to
America to supply their needs for pas
senger and freight carrying vehicles.
There were exports last year to eighty
two different countries. including fifteen
cars and one truck to Iceland.
At the truck meeting in the afternoon.
Will pTuCltChtiy CNcfy hupoitoht
maker in the country In attendance.
there was a general discussion of the
Government needs in trucks and the best
measures for their prompt care. In ad-
dition. there Ii an increasing demand for
trucks for essential industries involved
in war work directly and Indirectly.
which Is placing . burden on the truck
builders.
victor l.. Brown of the commercial
vehicle committee presided ct the truck
gathering. addresses being made by
George II. Pride Of the highways trans
port committee Of the Council of Ma
tionai Defence on the work Of that COM
mittee and the need for better roads.
particularly for military tises.
George NJ. Graham spoke on How the
Motor Truck Industry Is Affected by De-
veiopments in Washinstno. Other
addresses Included 3. A. Miles on Rural
Motor Express" II. q. Shirley on Need
for Uniform stats lews Govsrnins Ihs,
Use Of Motor Tficksss and 8. NJ Wnt
Jams. president e ~ Highway Indus