El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-06-28

C-NDO-Ns EAB-t June zo--1mrOrters
Il Of American made automobiles are
convinced that the British motor car
manufacturers ara determined to
strange to death American competi-
ton.
While not charging the board of
trade and other British officials with
being unduly Influenced by home
manufacturer. official ruling restrict
ing importation Of American automo-
oiles have reacted to aid such a pol
Icy. Importers, agents and conces-
sionatres Of American cars regard this
as most short sighted policy. which
mas Deen prompted purely By British
There is an immediate market for
some 10000 American made automo-
olies- while large numbers Of Ameri-
c9n trucks could readily be disposed
OF, agents here cOnservatively estf-
mate Three firms each says they
Gan sell from 5000 to 5000 cars II they
British automobile manufacturers
are unable to meet the home market
demand Agents OF British motor
firms today are selling cars for de-
livery In 1920, although they do not
guarantee delivery. British factories.
Tor the most part, have sold out their
1873 production. Second hand cars
from four 10 six years old. are selling
al . percent more than their original
cost
Block importation.
Yet American auto agents who main
tain luxurious salesrooms and are
keeping skeleton stats for Assem- blage
work, have not been able to take any
advantage OF this great and growing
demand for pleasure cars. because they
are not allowed to import freely.
The official British propaganda pre-
texts for denying entry OF the Ameri-
can product scarcelS permit close ex-
animation. The chief reason given
Why American cars must stay out is
that opportunity must be given the
home manufacturers TO recover from
the war. one American dealer in
trucks stated that the British motor
lorry industry was. at the signing Of
the armistice. in the best condition in
its history, while pleasure car manu-
facturers have had six months in
which 10 change over from war c0ndi- !
ticns.
a review Of the official negotiations
between American motor car dealers :
and the board Of trade and represeD- /
tstives OF the British motor car in
dusty would show 10 what an i'm
passe things have come.
Suffice It to say that the board Of I
trade shall be allowed TO import but
five-tw elfths Of the 80 percent Of their 4
1913 Imports But naturally the Amer !
lean dealers desire a better ADJUST
ment. If possible, than that Yet five I
months have passed and their negoti- ]
atoms have not secured modification /
Of that order, which. in spite Of the I
increased public demand. would only I
permit less than One-fourth Of the /
business done IN 1913. This ruling,
which holds good until September /, I
actually would allow but 100 motor
cars and - trucks to be put on the I
British market American importers
regard this as ridiculous.
Refuse to Deal
7 understand that an endeavOr was
made by the importers OF American
cars 10 meet the British representa-
tives and arrive at an equitable and
satisfactory adjustment which they
could bring before the board Of trade,
but the suggestions Of the American
agents did not meet with favor DyI
the British Representatives. who, after
considering the American proposal,
decided no good could come from it
The ruling Of the board OF trade.
based on imperial preference. al
lows importation Of Canadian prod
uc1s" without being subject to the
raticning system This provides for
an import preference equal TO one
J
stricted importation Of Canadian made
products with an import duty Of 22-s
percent instead Of the usual p ID
percent. Then came the question
when is a thing a Canadian product
Canadian officials who Wrestled
with that question concluded that If
Is percent OF things value had been
added TO it in Canada il might wei
be termed a Canadian. product Thus
Il drop forging worth 81 we're sent
from the United states into Canada
and machine work put upon It there
to the extent Of 81. il would be re-
garded as a Canadian product" The
only thing at fault with this sugges-
ton is that II it has never been given
worry Trade TO Death.
II Il were, American interests could
business. But British motor car in
terests do not desire that It is the
fndecfsion- in officials circles here
DELAY and hampering procrastination
IN every way-that is killing Amer
fcan export business in this country
that has been built up at great ex-
pens0 and energy
The British government promises to
review the situation in September Il
does not promise, mark you. any defi-
mite decision-merely will commit It,
self to the indefinite statement that
II will be -reconsidersd- Il
II the American dealers and manu-
facturers could have any flat out and
out declaration Of policy they could
act accordingly II the American
motor car industry is 10 be smashed
in this country through restrictions
on imports. the American dealers
want TO know it They then, at least,
can save running expenses in main
tanning present Establishments here
Others, more confident OF their abIl-
ffv and methods. would be ready TO
launch into motor car manufacturing I
in this country on a quantity basis
and give the British manufacturers
some real competition As Il is now,
the American cars can come in only
under payment Of 50 Is percent duty
Certain action might be taken in