El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-02-09
MOTOR TRADES
HELP WIN WAR
Erskine Tells What Detroit
Factories Are Doing to
Aid the Government.
By A. r. ERSKLNE.
President StudebaIker Corporation of
Amerioa.

By A. R ERSKINE.
President studebazer Corporation of
Ameriea.
As early as last March the automo-
bile and allied manufacturers put
their facilities at the disposal Of the
United States government TO be en-
ployed IN whatever form was thought
desirable. The entire manufacturing
resources Of the country are at the
service OF the government at any
time and government officials know
that they can rely on the whole
hearted and instant support Of Amer
lean industry without commander
ing.
The war industries board. working
IN close cooperation with a commit
tee of the automobile industry, has
agreed that II viii not restrict the
supply OF materials OF any industry
without giving notice TO representa-
tives Of that industry. The fuel ad-
shows that there Is plenty OF gaso-
line for all government and domestic
requirements.
The total plant capacity OF Ameri-
can industries is sufficient to fill gov
eminent requirements and regular
curtailment Of the latter due 10 the
patriotic and economical spirit per-
vading the nation.
Auto Men Make Shells.
The automobile and parts manufao-
turers Of the city OF Detroit, at the
suggestion OF the war department.
organized last month a new corpora
ton known as the Detroit Shell COM
pany, to produce shells in large guam
titles for the government
TIE company has secured a plant,
arranged for machinery. tools and an
operating. organization. and will be
producing shells in large quantities
in four months from the date Of its
organization It is owned, differed
and managed by representative auto
mobile men in Detroit whose motives
are enthusiastic cooperation and prac-
tical support Of the government in
the supplying OF shells 10 win the
war
gained within p hours after the
government requested it. and II pro-
poses to meet every demand in the
thorough and quick fashion that is
characteristic Of the production record
OF the industry. Automobile makers
are already working on extensive
contracts for Liberty motors, air
planes, trucks and dozens OF articles
Of military supplies.
Plan Reduced Output.
Most automobile manufacturers
have already made plans to reduce
their output for 1918 anywhere from
20 percent to so percent. This cur
tailment is going to be a healthy
thing for the automobile industry, in
that IL will stop the pyramiding OF
production that has been going on
since the advent Of the automobile.
It will have the far reaching effects
Of giving everybody a chance to sober
up and take account OF the future.
Even with production curtailed as
much as so percent, there should be
enough cars produced in 1913 to en-
able both the manufacturers and the
dealers to hold together their organi-
cations, and with strict economy make
a good profit
Based on the new production sched-
ules there is little doubt but that
there will be more buyers than cars,
SO that dealers in general will not
have to exert the same selling effort
and selling expenses therefore can be
reduced. Dealers as well as manufac-
turers cannot expect TO make as much
money during the war as they made
prior thereto, but the government is
not going TO put them out Of bust I
ness.
As far as materials for continuance |
OF motor car building for retail sale /
In the United States Is concerned. 1t 1
Is interesting to note that Of an an ]
luaI production Of 1900. 900 tons Of Z.
steel the automobile makers Of the Z
country use less than ( percent
There are, in fact, about 1900. 900 Il
.ons OF steel used annually in the pro- (
iuction Of American motor cars. So. I;
n the face of these facts. there seems I;
% be no reason to expect that the
motor car industry will have to be
crippled in the continuance OF the
var.