Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-06
MORE THAN SEVEN THOUSAND MOTOR
CARS NOW IN USE IN THE TRI-CITIES
SAYS AUTO ASSOCIATION OFFICIAL

of men for the purpose of improv-
ing them. Constructive criticism
is always helpful, because its mo-
tive is service and not hostility.
The primary purpose of the as
ISOLATION is to create and uphold the
reputation the automobile business
desires and deserves. Unfortu-
nAtely this industry moro than any
other Is suffering from a blight
most undeserved and most uncalled
for. There is a tendency on the
part of the car owners to carelessly
refer to the ones engaged in the
business as "get-rich-Quick artists
and J. Rufus Wallingfords" Now,
as q matter OF fact, the time when
the industry was conducted IN a
haphazard manner and with loose
and unbusiness like methods has
long since past Instead the auto
mobile business together with the
allied lines in general today is con-
Quoted on more systematic and
business like basis than any other
industry. No other line requires
specialization as this does.
1t is possibly not generally
"
distributors and dealers handle
motor cars and trucks on a smaller
percentage OF the price than do
dealers in any other line. They do
not receive half the discount that
is allowed on pianos, furniture,
clothing, hardware and other COM
modities.
The association has done much
towards bringing about uniform
standards Of service, and bringing
home to dealers the fact that sys-
tematic methods must be employed
IN salesroOm, office and shop.
The association has carried out
standardization by making all quo
tations on cars T. o. b. tri-cities,
which includes transportation, war
tax and all incidental charges.
The AT Home week" which was
held by the tri-city dealers March
$3.50. took the place of the automo-
bile show and proved a great sue
cess. Every dealer had more op-
portunity to display his lines owing
to the fact that he was not limited
in space as is always true when the
show is held under one roof. The
dealers put aside personal feelings
and interests and took prospects
from their show rooms to other
dealers exhibits.
A large general publicity cam
paign was launched and success
FULLY carried out by the association
through its commissioner. During
the time that this general adver-
Using appeared in the tri-city pa
pers no individual adds were pub
llshed, each dealer agreeing that it
would be more in keeping with the
spirit OF the association to make
the campaign wholly apply to the
automobile industry and not detract
therefrom by separate advertise
ments. The dealers one and all pro-
nounce the week a marked success.
not alone from the standpoint Of
sales but also from the fact that
never before had such harmonious
cooperation prevailed in backing
up an undertaking of this kind.
The tri-city press handling this
publicity campaign was most loyal
IN its support and cooperation.
And the association takes this op-
portunity to thank each and every
! one of the papers for the interest
shown and efforts put forth to car
~ out the associations wishes in
every particular.
The association has just taken
one of the greatest forward strides
| every undertaken to correct a
; trade evil. On and after May 1, the
! service departments as we'll as the
accessory and supply departments
of each and every member will be
operated strictly on a cash bssis.
! This was not done as a reflection
| on the class of credit that has been
enjoyed because it has been good
and the dealers have been glad to
( extend it but 1t is due to the fact
that every time a dollar is charged
| economy and efficiency are the