New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-05-13
Detroit Automobile
Industry Getting
Into Rush Period
Some Difficulty Experienced
i'm Obtaining Body and
Unit Parts Deliveries; Fac
tories Take Many Workers
Special Dispatch to The Tribune

DETROIT, May 12.-AutomoAilc fac
tories in the Detroit district are now
getting into their largest production
period, following the delays which de-
veloped in April owing to shortages IN
material and important unit parts. This
handicap carried over into the early
days Of May, and it is certain that II
new production marks are to be made
this month much overtime and Sunday
work will be necessary.
Body deliveries, probably the most
serious handicap of the spring season,
are now coming through in somewhat
more like the required quantities, but
nevertheless the body situation con-
tinues to be the source of most anxiety
to car makers. Skilled help for body
makers is short, and this situation has
led to somewhat Indifferent attitude
on the part Of the workers in some
shops.
In the unit parts field there is also
a considerable delay in deliveries. but
this is lcssening weekly. The leading
axle maker is taking orders on q sixty
day basis, but this does not necessarily
mean that deliveries are held up for
that length Of time. All car builders
are getting constant deliveries, if not
in the quantities sought, at least in
sufficient quantity to keep their pro-
duction schedules close to the figures
fixed.
Under conditions as they exist there
Is no chance Of any of the car or truck
makers accumulating an inventory Of
material or parts. In the case of many
Of the important units they are in
stalled and shipped in finished car
within, probably, three days from the
time they enter the receiving and in
speeding room.
Though manufacturers do not expect
the present buying rush to continue in
definitely there is confidence that there
will be steady business throughout the
summer and fall months, with a fair
amount of business in The early winter.
There is practically no uncmploy-
ment in the city and the rush of men
to work in the automobile plants has
stripped down the forces in some Of
the other businesses and industries Of
the city. Many striking miners have
appeared III the city seeking employ
put to work doing upskilled work. Tne
demand for help has gone so far az
to strip the bowling alleys Of the city
of their pin boys.
Most of The cars shipped are going
to the cities along the Eastern and
Western coasts, but with a considerable
demand from industrial cities in all
parts of the country. Through the
farm belt in the Middle West hun
dreds of cars are being absorbed in
the cities, but few of these are going
to farmers
Used cars have ceased to be factor
in the merchandising Of new cars and
little attention is being given TO the
phase of the business by the factory
sales force. The same conditions that
make for new car BUSINESS will make
for used car buying, factory men de-
clare.
. Truck business as whole continues
light, but is improving steadily. Fac
torres are not yet operating on so
per cent Of capacity basis, but this is
partly due to the fact that many of
them were over built for their past
needs, and is also partly due to the
desire of truck makers to trail the
market rather than seek to meet it on
an even basis. June will probably wit
ness the increase of truck making to
so per cent basis.
Makers of equipment and replace
ments for cars are under heavy manu-
featuring pressure. Many factories are
on three-shi basis, working twenty
four hours daily, and practically all
are working far beyond the usual nine
hour day period.