The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-07
AUTO INDUSTRY
. FOR LOWER TARIFF

| For ano Industry 20 ask the govern
ment 10 lower the IMPORT duty agains:
! it's forel-n competitors is unique i
not unparalleled. Yet such Ia the po-
sition Of the autosaohile manufac'
turers as ANNOUNCED after the meet
ing held seccntiy "f The National Au'
temohiIe chamber of commerce al
headquarters in NM York. A can
vass If 1873 moYuoa' com panies re-
shifted unanimously in favor OF the
reduction OF the tariff on imported
cars costing s., 900 or over from 10
per cent to SO per cent az now I'm
posed on cars Of lover value.
A memorandum has been sent ia
The tarift commits sion at Washington
setting forth tue reasons why sucn
action IS felt to l." III the interest OF
the industry as we'F as business gen"
orally The encouragement OF irnpor-
taitoa should prove helpful TO the
present serious exchange situation
and not IN be feared by a home
industry of the size and strength OF
automobile manufacturing. OF prin-
clpsi concern is the preclude. bound
To- persist against the American pro-
duct in foreign markets while our
tariff Is held at It's present rate and
thu natural outcome will be n dispo'
siticn on the part Of other automo"
bite manufacturing nations To retail
late with equally high tariffs, prob
a bly, discriminating against the United
States. 1t is hopnd that, II being the
avowed wish Of the industry to have
the duty lowered. congress may be
persuaded TO consider a downward
revision OF this iter' at this session.
The makers appreciate that a lower
duty will bring In more foreign cars
but ~Ather welcome the competition
as n stimulus to continue America Z
Leadership in all types Of motor cars
This country produces more than 20
per cent az the worlds supply OF
motor vehicles.
There was also an expression OF
gratifica ton nj tn meeting that the
lower branch Of congress has defeat
ed the proposed withdrawal OF the
foreign commercial attache service sc
mach ms eded In nur export trade. and
that instead the department OF eorn
rnerca Is -. be accorded an Increased
appropriation for an extension or II
very valuable worK ~ Investigation Ii
iho foreign fields.
The members adopted resolution
af sympathy to ne family Of the late
Jahy r Dodge, expressing the in
duHrys sense Of loss. His brother
Horace L. Dodec was elected TO NJ
the Yaca tlny created on the board.
The show committee reported ina
the financial returns from both th'
Ne~ ORR and Chicago shows ex
ceede-l all previous records.
Tire makers voted for the estao
lishu1Ant Of 8 service managers d
vision OF tho n. A. c.. G. TO function
for that depart ment OF the members
organizations along siE.ilar lines a!
the foreign trade. patents, tranic leg
islefive. highways and other depart
fnents the chafnber now embraces.
Motor fuels. reads. patents, fegis
4a;ian. rural motor express lines anf
freight car shortage came In for con
alteration There is still big short
age Of motor cars particularly o
closed tyres. all aggravated by short
ages IN materials and poor shipping
facilities over the railroads. Febru
AIRY was a record month for prodnc
lion with thousands OF cars ant
trucks delivered to dealers over IN
highways RI. II. Rice, presided a
the meeting.