New-York tribune., 1919-02-02

This was the statement of John n
WHY'S, president OF WHY'S sOverland
Inc. in speaking of coming conditions.
Fundamentally, the automobile is
simply unit of rapid personal trans
portation. That is the real reason for
its marvellous development Every man
and woman whose time was filled with
intensified duties occasioned by the
war appreciates the utility role of the
automobile now as never before. 1t
may be that before the year passed
automobile owners were not fully con-
scious of its indispensable utility. But
to-day the world knows the epochal
story OF its accomplishments at home
and abroad.
1T is matter of common knowledge
now that the automobiles and motor
busses which composed Galliani's gal
liant force saved France We are told
that second time automobiles were
the deciding factor at the Battle of
Nerdun. We have had striking evi-
dence of their efficacy in helping to
win many victories for the supply army
here at home We have seen our
neighbors and friends helping in mo-
tor cars with Red Cross work and
aiding in the Aotation of billions Of
dollars IN the campaigns for Liberty
Loan and War Savings Stamps
Doubling the Hours
"Thc automobile has made two hours
grow where only one existed before
Turning to the Industry itself, Mr.
WHY'S said: The autoAaa.lc industry
energies from war production with
greatly added capacity, ready 20 take
up again the manufacture CT motor cars
in increasing nam cers with the added
equipment and greater efficiency born
OF war methods.
"The war has enabled us to stop
building cars, catch our breath, make
plans, clean house and start again
with clearer VISION. with greater. plans.
The unfolding Of these plans viii be
of colossal Importance in the recon
struction Ct business and living condi-
tlons throughout the world.
"The outlook inmed lately before US
IS most encouraging" continued Mr..
WHY'S. "Conmercial reports indicate
q good crop yield, which is usually
an indication of prosperity. There is
demand for all the farm produce the
world can develop.
with millions of men engaged in
actual warfare and millions more en-
ployed solely in war production work.
there has been an exhaustion of all
kinds OF commodities throughout the
world. We are now facing period in
which America viii be called upon to
make up this depleted supply. France
IS not ready as yet TO begin to help.
Neither are other European countries
in q position to supply their own i'm
mediate peace needs or those of for
eign tSade markets to any great ex-
tent. America Is entering a period in
which she viii be called upon to a
perhaps unprecedented degree.
Our Responsibility Grows
We have a new consciousness of
responsibility toward the lowered liv-
ang standards Of three fourths of the
world. American capital and enter
prise will De needed in unceasing de-
gree. The needs of the world win
never grow less and Americas part
will rot recede- In that lies an OPP
portunity.
There is no reason now why we
Should slip back from the peak pro-
duction which was reached before the
war. There will. possibly be slight
slowing down u changing over to
other kinds of work, but we should
rapidly gather speed again in getting
back on a peace basis.
y think / am safe in anticipating a
long, uninterrupted period of great
prosperity in this country" Mr.. WHY'S
added 'The automobile industry will
contribute large share in this new
era Of plenty. When war needs forced
3 curtailment in automobile building
the uses OF motor cars were not les
sened; they were rather increased The
individual purchaser Of motor ears has
held back throughout the war. People
who could not purchase cars and who
were making their old cars do for the
TIME beng VIII now constitute a source
from which we may confidently expect
strong additional demand during the
next few years
The unavoidable curtailment in
manufacture which many of us re-
garded with anxiety has in real;tv
proved blessing in disguise. This
slowing up in production permitted the
manufacturer 10 devote more time to
1uture merchandising and engineering
problems This has placed the indus
try IN position fully TO cope with com
ing conditions, both from a manu-
featuring and merchandising stand !
point.
An Optimistic view
So. on the whole, I view the new
era upon which we arc nov cnterine- .
with every reason for optimism. There {
must be gradual adjustment In every
ssnc- With the whole world having
Decn so recently turned topsy-4urvey ,
we cannot hope 10 reverse processes
overnight Neither would lose sight
Of the fact that this new period is a
inomentons one in our history.
We mustn't forget that America be- |
fore the var waa drifting into a stage
which might haze proved extremely
dangerous had ii continued We were
brought mp with jerk and have risen
70 q pinnacle Of achievement which we
ourselves did not dream was possible.
have no gympathy With those wbo fear
America may forget 10 live up To her
rev standards We viii never drift
agatn into the old provincial habits Of
Before IN hss a world eIssncrinr Tor |
our products We must keep on. We |
cannot 20 bssck.o