The Washington times., 1921-06-27
GERMAN AUTOMEN
FACE BANKRUPTCY
AS RESULT OF WAR
Cheapest Machine Costs ST.,
ooo-Wages Go Down to
13 Cents an Hour.
BY FRANK K. MASON,
international News Service.

BERLIN, June 25.--Bankruptcy and
situation of the German automobile
manufacturers. according TO an In
vestigation made by the international
News Service Only the high-priced
cars with international regulations
stand the chanceof surviving the old
fashioned and inadequate methods of
production.
German efficiency" that hypno-
tizing slogan which has thrown fear
into the hearts OF competing coun-
tries and forced the hurried passage
of anti-dumping legislation to protect
home markets from German competi-
tion, has never made its debut In
the automobile industry.
CARS ARE HANDMADE.
Mass production, even for small
cars, is unknown. Compared with
American methods, one can truly say
that German cars are handmade. II
you want an automobile in Germany
you are limited to German makes. for
the government forbids Importation
o' either cars or tires.
You first decide what engine you
want You can order IL from the fac
tory directly or thruogh a dealer.
Even Benz and Mercedes have no
standard prices. There are probably
forty or nifty automobile dealers in
Berlin selling the Benz car. Prices
depend on the contract the dealer
made with the Benz or Mercedes
companies. IL he has an early con-
tract, made before the mark dep-e-
ciated to its present level, he can
sell you a chassis, with engine. % per
cent cheaper than his competitors, or
even the factory itself
After you hrve the chassis you GO
to car architect and have him de-
sign the body for you. He may have
half a dozen stock body designs, but
there will be no bodies on hand. 1t
must be built, which means a delay Of
six weeks to three months.
II you want a self-starter and cleo
trio lights you go to third shop.
where accessories are sold, and pick
out your starter and electric lights.
There isn't a single German manufac-
turer who has reached the point of in
cluding starter and electric light as
standard equipment for his car.
LIGHTS COST $500.
The chauffeur habit is responsible
for the absence of the starter. Even
the curious little tricycle. automobiles
running around the Berlin streets are
driven by their uniformed cfauffeurs
A starter and electric light costs be-
tween 10000 and 10000 marks. which
means about 5000 in American money.
CHEAPEST CAR $1,000.
A chauffeur earns about 10000
marks a year. Consequently the most
expensive and super-luxurious limou-
sines require the driver to get out and
turn IL over before he can start It.
II you are amazed at the lack of
system in the prices OF the chassis
you'll be more astonished at the differ
ences In tire prices. You must make
the rounds of the tire stores and care
fully get their bids on tires for your
car. There will be variations OF 20 to
30 rer cent. This is traceable to the
fact that although Germany forbids
the Importation OF foreign tires, the
tires you will probably buy were
smuggled in through the zone ocou-
pied by the allied armies of occupa-
tion.
oermany's cheapest automobile, by
the time IL has been outfitted with
tires. with acetylene lamps, costs
more than $1,000, at the present ex-
change. A trip in a car OF this type
reminds You more of n motorcycles
stdecsr than an automobile. Ger
many's best makes. of International
reputation. however. are cheaper
than the equivalent American cars
At prices ranging between s3.50o
and $1,000 you can get a Benz or
Mercedes limousine In Germany with
q body which In luxury. leaves moth
Ins to be desired.
But even these latter cars require
that Jou ahop carefully, picking your