The Washington times., 1919-04-26
By J. FAULKNER.
Especial to The Washington Times.)

DETROIT, Mich, April 26.-The most accute situation
that the wars close brought about in the automobile indus
try the shortage of and trucks Several months
ut may be recalled that spoke emphaticaly In these
columns this subject and predicted that within three
months it would be almost impossible to purchase auomo
lbes for immediate delivery. That this condition has
come true seeviden There is not city the United
States today where dealers not confronted with large
number of advance deposits paid with hope of immediate
delivery In many these deposits will have to be refund
ed and the dealers will be facing situation far from env
abe Statesmen have done their work. the dealers theirs The
factories have tried hard but do nothing The
mot to be obtained.
The reason of this is sad commentary the admin
stration of the financial affairs of the United States Coy
crnment AT the outbreak of the war, automobile
tacturer everywhere appealed to- to lend their aid
and facilities in manufacturing war materials This they
aid willingly and in many cases at great sacrifice, many
factories working 100 per cent war basis The
Pected early signing of the amstce brought about cond
ton nearly analogous to chaos Factories were left with
large amount of paidor stock and materials with the Gov
ernmen heavily in debt to them and prospect for any
immediate returns. In this emergency they naturally
turned to the Government they had assisted for help and
be sad Michigan at least that this help has not
been forthcoming There at present $30000000
owing to automobile manufacturers within the Wolverine
State This is for material bought and paid for contracts
finished and labor recompensed Many factories left
with large amount Of unused material their hands,
unavailable for ordinary commercial purposes and they
still have this useless excess baggage One factory I'M
Detroit obliged to erect large building in which to
store THIS surplus MATERIAL pending It's being taken on their
hands by the Government It is impossible outside the
financial conditions that existing for factories to obtain
the necessary materials for the manufacture of commercial
vehicles and where be obtained the prices almost
prohibitive.
The automobile, everyone knows, has long passed
out of the pleasure class of vehicles Theyare absolute
necessity for the commercial welfare and progress of the
business interests of this country and the curaiment
their output is serious menace farreaching and in many
disastrous Appeal after appeal has been made for
relief from the powers that be- and still the ponderous
rackng aborous unwindng Of red tape proceeds
fortunate today is the who get immediate delivery
any and the wise who believes preparedness
will take the only opportunity that he has of securing
within the next six onthsha is by booking his order
now paying his deposit and then waiting. To those who
have made deposits the wisest to pursue if they
really wish car, is to allow the deposit to remain and
thereby not lose the precedence gained by the early app
,ation.
In to this treatment of Michigan by the Gov
rnment the State of Michigan still stands foremost
IF the Governments most patriotic supporters. The first
lay of the Victory oan Detroit went the top in
9f its quota by $8OOO0 and the second day the
whole State of Michigan went clean the top and is still
eong This splendid example of returning good for evil
i