The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-03-14
FLoRIDA's AUTOMOBILE RECORD


Credit is due the B. F. Goodrich Rubber Com
pany for some valuable statistics on the extent of
the automobile and motor truck industry in the
United States. Every State listed as to what 1t
has done to increase motor traffic and the hgures
are not only interesting but might be put
to good practical use for educational purposes.
1t is stated that during the period from 1910 to
1920 the increase of population in Florida showed
greater percentage than any other state east of
the Rocky Mountains with the one exception of
Michigan. During this same ten-year period, ac-
cording to the figures now published, Flondas
percentage of gain in automobiles larger than
any other state except Maryland and West Vir-
ginia. One reason for this is obvious-the build
ing of such an extensive mileage of paved highways.
Every year witnesses marked increase in the
number of state-owned cars while of course the
annual tourist invasion adds largely to this total.
The Goodrich figures give total of l0,524,-
1876 cars and trucks registered in the country dur
ing 1921. This is an increase of ,229,023, or
1872 per cent. over 920 when there were $685.
372 motor vehicles registered.
The gain made during the past year warrants
the consideration of the automotive pessmist. The
automobile business has gone through its supreme
test. 1t has emerged victorious and there is
longer any room for pessimism. Authorities con-
cede that over one-third of the cars running are
owned by farmers. Despite the fact that six large
agricultural states show decrease over the pre-
vious year, the industry has forged ahead 1t is re-
markable that few states show a decrease.
Wheat and corn in 1872 sold at extremely low
prices frequently far below the actual cost of
production. This of itself would tend to restrict
the use of automobiles by farmers yet in such
states as Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, where the
agricultural depression was most acute the number
of cars has increased. Motor vehicles are becoming
as essential as farm implements
New York again leads the field with $1,000
and trucks, an increase of 1886, the larg-
est made in any state over the previous year. Ohio
is second with 725700 gain of 10000 over
1920. Pennsylvania clings to third place with
o69,56o, while Illinois is close on its heels with
67O.434.
he largest percentage gam was made by West
Virginia, where increase of 1871 per cent is
recorded over 1920. California and Florida re-
fleet the popularity of their climate and roads
with respective gains Of 9.5 per cent and 248 per
cent.
1t is Interesting to noie that SIX states account
fer over one-thrd OF The years increase in regis
trations. Illinois, Indiana. Michigan. New York,
Ohio and Pennsylvania accomplish this with
combined gain Of 573 347 cars. ANY one of these
states has more cars than the entire European
continent. Their aggregate total of 1871 ,349 is
greater than the total registration of the country
In 1916 and greater than the present world regis
trations excluding the United Stales
Nevada is on the bottom ring Of the ladder with
10000 cars. Delaware is only one step above
with 3l,4l3. By comparison these states are not
as badly mired it seems. for either one of them
has more than the entire Chinese Empire.
There one motor vehicle for every ten
people in the country in 1872 as compared with
one fer ! g in 1920. If this average were main
tanned Throughout the world there would be no.
100000 cars in use. The world registration today
is approximately l2.500.000 California and Iowa
lead in the number of cars as compared to popula-
lion with one car for every 81 inhabitants South