Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-20
AMERICA LEADS WORLD
IN AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC
motor Car Use Increases $40 Per Cent
]" four fcars-Sercn States Have
Over 2OO,00O Cnrs Each.

One of the most striking impressions
which foreign visitors to the United
states receive Is the abundance OF auto
mobiles operated in this country. Any
foreigner coming to New York or Chi
caso cannot help marvel AT the i'm
mehse number of passenger and COM
merciai cars in use there. and naturally
concludes that our population is cnor-
mously wealthy. This may DC compli-
mehtary to our prosperity, which Is
lar in excess of that of foreign coun-
tr,es. but the conclusion usually ar
rived at by such foreigners is wrong.
TheY think that automobiles are used
by us. as they are in normal times in
the Old World, for pleasure purposes
only. II this were so. ii would he DIM
cut TO explain the operation OF nearly
100000 ears in the States. a great
many of which are used in agriculture!
sections by farmers who are exceed
ingly careful 10 invest their money In
u useful way.
The total OF American registrations
has Increased during the four years
from June 20, 1918, to June 80. 1917.
from l.011,200 to 4,4U3,5ro. :; rise OF
$40 per cent. In the first of these
four years the increase was about
500,00S; il the second, $4,000; IN the
100000. This is a healthy Increase
country of our enormous resources and
healthy economic life.
If there is one class of citizens who
use more automobiles than any other.
it is the farmers our prosperous.
&hrewd farmers. whose education rests
on the three RS" are considering the
automobile as worthy investment.
They certainly do not spend from $500
TO $1,000. or even more. TO buy ma
chimes for joy rides. When they pur
chase cars 1t is because 1t enables them
TO get to town quickly, at any time.
TO buy and sell or TO transact other
necessary business. The car will take
them to the meetings OF farmers or
CARNATIONS. which are constantly grow
ing in number; 1t will enable the youn:
folks 10 develop ind Keep up social
relations with neiGhbors who often live
long distances from the family home
Thus the machine helps to make
farming not only more OF an efficient
business. but ii overcomes many OF the
disadvantages connected with rural Lie.
and 1t helps 10 keep the younger gen
Grafton in the country. The migration
Of the young folks TO tho cities. which
4 decade ago threatened to undermine
our farming industry. has almost
stopped, When Il farmer can reach
more intense centors OF civilization in
an hour or two he becomes less covct
Gus of the attractions which city lie
offers; he begins to appreciate the
sunny side of country life more highly,
and he becomes u contentcd citizen. lie
can vic with the clay folks the
highway, being no longer at Il disad-
vantage because Of his buggy being
crowded TO the roadside by the autoist$'
ears.
All these elements naturally tend to
increase the general value TO the farm
ing population OF the automobile. Last.
hut not least, thousands of passenger
ears are used, not only for travel. but
also TO operate modern agricultural i'm
plem"ntS. which permits OF efficient
utilization OF the farms natural up-