The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-22
AUTO
FAMINE PREDICTED
Shortage of 100000 Cars Is
Forecast Due to Present
Unusual Demand.

The entire world will not he ablo r.
produce enough automobiles to SUNNY
the demand this year, according to OF.
pany. ~ 0"F OH
On Dec. 81, 1918. IT was estir,atoa
mat there were only 15,545 finished
Ears IN the hands of automobile mann
lactufers. This represents only three
lays normal production-three davs'
me market literally has been drained
ny eme Iirst wave of the constantly
Increasing tide of prosperity which IL
now sweeping over the country Tho
situation, already acute in many citier'
spring. "'' acute this
Owing to the relatively small produc-
400 u ~ lFe 5o laSd TWO years there is a short
age OF 100000 automobiles in The Initial
states at the present time, according
10 government figures.
IN iglS the total production of cars
was l,044, 1854, as against 1,737lb1 The
preVlous year In 1916 the production
was the smallest since 1915.
normally the output increases at the
rate or 40 per cent a year. Had this
rate prevailed last year the outnut
would have been two and threeoolarS
5erS OF q million cars, or more than
"Suhit W hat IL ACTUALLY was.
In 1915 and 1916 there were abnormal
increases of 50 and 80 per cent, ' re-
spectively, but in 1917 the inereas Sc
dropped to II per cent. SO there Is an
apparent shortage at the present time
OF 100000 cars, being the difference
petWeen actual production and what Il
would have been under the normal 40
per cent increase. ~
Because of the slowness of the re-
turn to normal production it is esti-
mated that the output of cars in 1919
VIII be about half of the 5000, 900 which
would he needed to make up this short
age.
The growth of the automobile bust
ness has been one Of the marvels Of
modern times. In 1909 only 121. sci cars
were, produced. In 1917 the produce
tlon had increased to 1,737, 900. The to-
tai capital invested is 81, 297, 900, 900.
which is three times as large as the
outstanding stock of the entire Stand
ard OIL group of IS companies and ex-
ceeded the capital of all the national
banks at the end of 1916.
Third Largest Industry.
The wages paid in this industry.
United states, exceeded by 800, 900, 900
all the gold in circulation in the United
states in 1916 and was equal to three
quarters of the governments ordinary
receipts,
There are now more thar 1000. 600
automobiles in use in the United States
alone. These cars develop 100, 900. OO9
horse power, or 10 times the total power
of all other kinds in the country, In
passenger miles Travelled and passenger
capacity these cars exceed those of
railways and street cars combined,
The reason for this Is that trans
portation is the greatest business in
the world and automobiles have become
a supreme factor in modern t]ransporta-
ton. Aside from all other Considera-
tons, they fill an economic need.
The present shortage results directly
from the constantly increasing need for
the automobile, the unparalleled wave
Of prosperity experienced by all parts
Of the couptry and the reduction Of
production Turing the past two years.
The Hudson factory, the largest
builders of fine cars in the world, has
never been able to keep up with the
demand for Super-Sixes, Hudson pro-
duction was to have stopped entirely
Jan. /, Then suddenly the ban was
lifted. AS a result normal production
can not be resumed before June.
The moral for all intending purchas-
ers Of motor ears is clear. 1t is Buy
now"