El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-02-14

BY r. J. p
Secretary Automotive Trades Bureau
INCLUDING army cars and trucks.
1 there were about 1900 automobiles
operating in Fl Psso at the close Of
1918 In the trade territory OF FL
Paso, including south and east Ari-
zona, and New Mexico. there were
approximately 10000 cars in opera
ton No figures are available as to
what proportion Of these machines
were trucks. but taking as an estf-
mated proportion tEat on an average
there are % automobiles 10 every
truck in use, Il would bring the num-
Der OF trucks TO about 1000. with
about $4,000 automobiles.
The figures given above are taken
from partial reports made by county
clerks and other local officials
throughout FL Paso's trade territory
and are necessarily ineEact, but, for
the purposes Of this article. are suf-
1lciently close to give an idea Of the
wonderful strides the automotive
vehicle industry has been making in
this section Of the United States dur
ing the past few years.
One OF the reaspns for the great
growth OF the business and the in
creased use OF motor vehicles OF all
kinds may be found in the fact that
all the year round operation OF motor
driven carriers OF all kinds making il
unnecessary to maintain auxiliary
plants OF any kind for winter use
Army Machines in Use
OF the 1900 automobiles Of all
kinds, quoted above as being in use
in FL Paso county IL Is estimated that
the army uses about 5000, leaving
5000 pleasure and business auto
vehicles in use by the civilian popu-
lstion-
This would Indicate that there are
80 machines in use for every 1000 Of
the civil population, or about three
and one half times the number Of
automobiles per 1000 inhabitants
given in the averages for the United
States as a whole.
The FL Paso chamber OF commerce,
during the year Just closed estab-
Lahed q bureau OF branch Of the
organization which has for its object
the banding together Of the dealers
in automobiles, trucks. tractors. tires
and automobile accessories Of all
kinds, including gasoline and oils
While there Is as much Independence
IA the matter Of control OF their own
lines as there ever was, on the part
OF those dealers who have allied
themselves with the -automotive
trades bureau Of the chamber OF
commerce there mas been an abon-
ton Of any disposition 70 indulge IN
lieved VIII rebound 70 the benefit OF
buyers as veil as Of sellers Of the
merchandise handled
Conducive 70 Better Business.
II has been found, too. that the
getting together OF the men handling
any one particular line Of goods has
the effect to make them think In
terms Of the trade and the community
as a whole rather than IN terms Of
selishness with the result that SO far
anas-r -
are concerned business has been
stabilized and a standing established
which has made this city one OF the
great automobile trade centers OF the
southwest
The automotfve trades bureau Of
the chamber Of commerce has taken
an interest in the good roads move
ment as wei as in the upbuilding Of
the auto vehicle business and mas
been an active factor in the bringing
about OF a disposition on the part
OF the people OF west texas, New
Mexico and arizona TO see that money
IS provided for the purpose OF max
ing the roads through those states
as good as they can be made IN order
that eh6 people living in those dis
tricts may be able TO get about and
that automobile tourists may be at
tracted to travel that way.
Works Far Afieid-
While playing an important part IN
Taso county and in the voting OF an
Issue Of bonds for good roads pur-
noses. the disposition OF which is fully
covered in another article In this ed
ton Of The Herald the automotive
trades bureau played an even more
important part in the matter OF secur-
ing good roads action in those por-
tions Of New Mexico and Arizona
fraversed by roads leading into Fl
Psso. II sent a delegation TO santa
TaH
with q similar delegation from Otero
county and the members Of the high
way commission OF New Mexico re-
EardinE the building OF that por-
ton Of the Alamogordo - X Paso
highway from AlamOgordo 20 the
state line at Newman. n. IL, 10 con-
meet with the road being built from
II Paso 20 that point and secured
decision in favor Of the building OF
the road at once
In Arizona and New Mexico.
Another important road develop
ment. which affects Fl Paso vitality
and IN which the automOtive trades
bureau is interesting itself IS the
road from Yuma, via A1o and Tue
son 70 the state line near Hodeo,
h " This movement has already
been launched and Is. in fact, sup
ported by generous bond issues IN
Pima and Yuma counties through
which two counties most OF me pro
county already has approximately =
miles Of paving provided for. and IS
rapidly improving the remainder OF
the route TO ROedO-
An effort IS being made 70 induce
the southern counties Of New Mexico
10 continue the paving from Roedo
10 the Texas county line, where the
El. Paso paving begins There Is
however. an excellent prospect Tor
first class graveled road across New
Mexico, and the temper OF Hidalgo
and Luna counties, through which
the road must pass. is known TO be
very favorable TO road construction
In fact, road Improvement in hotn
these counties is limited only by
financial resources
Auto Racing Induces Good Reads
, While there is much 70 be done be-
fore the roads leading 10 the vest
ward from FL Paso can be said 20 be
ideal there has been constant effort
20 improve them
That something has been done along
that line was demonstrated IN the
time made by the competitors In the
last FL Paso TO Phoenix road race.
The first Of those races was run in
1913. when the best time for the $40
--f1ar va 81 miles an hour and was.