San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-11
GREAT SUMS
INVESTED IN
MOTOR CARS
Value Of Cars and Trucks
in u. S. Over Billion
and One-half.
WORK FOR MILLIONS
Manufacture of Automo-
biles Now Leading In
dustry Of Nation.
WORK FOR MILLIONS

Not 50 many years ago wonder
ing public gathered to see the Won
derful wagons that ran without
horses.
Early in the century about the only
owners of motor cars were the man.
ufacturers themselves; today there
are 11,500000 motor vehicles regis
tered in the United States and only
a million and a quarter more than
that in the whole world.
In the neolithic age of the automo-
bile-'way back in 19O0-the value
of all cars in the country could be
represented easily by four figures.
The value of all cars and trucks in
the nation in the present Volsteadian
era totals LOS. 567 900, a figure in
excess of the capitalization of the ma
tional banks of the country.
Once there were a handful of what
was then called pleasure" cars and
no trucks except those drawn by old
Dobbin. There are now 2,2S7 900 cars
and 200 trucks busily engaged in
weaving the country into closer ties
of business and pleasure. In the old
en- days there were no cars for bust
ness. In the year just ended. 90 per
cent of all cars were used in more
or less degree for business purposes.
And last year those same automobiles
consumed $500, 000, 900 gallons of gas.
oline. Considering these figures it is
small wonder that the automobile in
dustry has quickly climbed from moth
/, ing at all to the position of leading
industry of the nation, giving employ
ment to millions in its own and allied
industries, representing billions of dol
lars and easily supplanting the steel.
iron and textile industries which once
held the lead. All this within a quar-
ter OF a century.
Is Perfectly Safe.
1t is interesting TO note how the
automobile has grown away from its
first "freak' days. when most of the
public doubted that such an affair
could be, until in its present form
it is about as safe and sane as hui
man ingenuity can make Il.
To-day visitors need no proof of
whether or not car can run. They
know how to run them themselves
and many have deep knowledge of
the building and upkeep of a motor
ear. They are interested mainly in
the latest development in car build
ing. This year they will find pro-
gressive ideas in design. A casual
inspection of the new models leaves
an impress of completeness in the
manufactures of the 1923 car. wheth-
er it be the shining limousines and
glittering sedans. the big. roomy tour
ing models or the smart appearing
road types that fill every available
space at the show.
The management has received word
from the dealers in ever part of the
distribution district. of which San An
tonic is the center, that they are COM
every village and town in the area
will come along to see what 1923 has
TO offer in automobiles.
There are no trucks in this show:
there was no room for them. just
pleasure cars are shown-and they
are here in Professionally ones, lit
file ones; car to fit every purse and
every purchaser.
Closed Models Popular.
Manufacturers have given great
thought to the refinement Of the new
cars. Upholstery Of rare elegance will
win deep approval: little touches of
comfort. convenience and good looks
have been added by practically every
maker.
The closed models will be the cen
tiers of many groups, for year by year
the closed car is winning more friends.
Those who once drive a closed car
rarely turn to the open models.