The Ocala evening star., 1919-07-09
PRICES
ARE GOING UP

In view of the fact that there is
more money invested in the automo-
bile industry in Marion county and
more individuals interested in auto
mobiles than probably any other one
manufactured article, the following
interesting article, on price conditions
among the various factories is given
space. The article is from Automobile
Topics, the leading trade magazine of
the United States:
Prices of automobiles, for which
July l was named early in the year
as an approximate date of readjust-
ment, show a distinct tendency to ao-
vance. The present week has seen
new schedules, revised upward, in
force on names that have been long
known as quantity producers, Stude-
baker, Maxwell, Chalmers and Olds-
mobile furnishing the latest ex-
amples in a range of prices and mod
els that are fairly representative of
large proportion of the industry's
output. These are outstanding in a
list of a round dozen, whose prices
have gone up recently, or who have
definitely settled on advances. In ad
dition, there is a tendency not by any
means universal, however, to believe
that present prices will have to be
increased in the case of other COM
panies, the actual step being deferred
until an exact amount can be deter
mined, Or means discovered to avoid
the necessity of increasing.
Reasons for this step are, of course,
easily understood. and are of long
standing. Not only are prices of
materials still high, but until con-
tinuous production on a large scale is
possible the time of overhead is an
important factor. "Price situation at
the present time is very unsettled,
owing to the fact that it is impossible
to get into full production with var
ious accessory plants tied up by labor
troubles. There has been a tremen-
dous increase in raw materials, and
labor is still advancing" is the way
in which one prominent midwest
manufacturer views his own prob
lens.
"Can give you no definite informa-
ton at this time regarding price in
crease" wires one prominent Detroit
manufacturer. GAIL existing condi-
tions in labor and materials markets
indicate advancing tendencies. Will
know definitely what action to take in
another thirty days." he adds.
present costs make advance III
price of our product very probable In
near future" contributes an Indiana
manufacturer. Another in the same
state indicates that his company is
inclined toward an increase, but is
holding off until all angles of his pol
icy can be determined definitely.
Leading advances of the week in
clude/that of the whole Studebaker
line. The four, and the two light six
open models are increased by an even
hundred dollars, to $1325 for the little
car and $16S5 for the light six tour
ing and club roadster. The light six
coupe and sedan are increased by
$3.50 to S2435 and $2535, respective
ly. The Studebaker big six touring
car. is also increased by $3.50 to $2135.
Maxwell and Chalmers cars have
both felt the pressure of higher costs,
too, and late this week $50 was add
cd to the price of Maxwells, and $120
to $3.50 to those of the entire Chalm-
ers line. The Maxwell company has
rersistently advised its trade that
prices would not go any lower under
present conditions. On the other hand,
IL went so far as to assert several
times during the past months that it
could not guarantee against increases
that it foresaw but hoped would not
b. necessary.
At the upper edge of the price
scale, Locomobile late this week re-
vised its price to a scale necessary in
maintaining and developing its pro-
duction, which will still follow the
POLICY of limited numbers. A fiat in
crease of $11OO on the chassis, the