San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-20
|TOMOb|LE
PRICE BOOST
| IS POSSIBLE
h Materials Cause
Manufacturers Great
\ Concern.
IL FOLLOW LEADER
yard Trend Causes a
Revision of Old
Contracts.
IL FOLLOW LEADER
Ry 4 r. ROYJE

ght. by The San Antonio Light.
wv York, Feb. 20.-There is no
ect of automobile prices being
ed and a splendid chance that
Twill be advanced. That was the
[lncement made today by men
closely in touch with the auto
! rindustry, an announcement of
kst significance not only for the
BIS of 1851. 1916 cars at present
Eted in the United States, but to
Hundreds of thousands Of pros
He automobile owners.
Enufacturers are clinging to the
that prices for materials used in
htomotive industry will return to
4 they call normal level by
X. IL they do not, engineers in
kgan and Ohio centers declared
higher prices for new cars were
than probable.
IRE it not for the possibility of
n prices of materials the coun-
you'd now be witnessing a gen.
\ advance in finished products.
hfacturerS are extremely reluct-
30 increase prices and to avoid
so are exerting every effort to
Eosts. Some of the big factories
|dy have gone about as far as pos
in that direction and today are
|iring new price schedules for
4 e necessary. They are also adj
4 dealers ahd customers that
is the best time to buy.
Parts Contracts Revised.
ey point out that sheet steel is
n, tires are higher and manu-
rers of brass and copper parts
showed up prices. Axle manu-
rers are revising old contracts.
manufacturers will not consider
|er prices because of the shortage
late glass and aluminium.
lie president of one prominent De-
automobile company said today:
leading company decides TO take
step toward higher prices, many
follow. There is no hesitancy
\ the trend of prices is down.
Each company wants to beat
|earest competitor to it, but when
is a reason for advancing prices,
eds a leader to break the ice and
most of the ambitious companies
quickly follow suit"
kecutives of the Peerless and
hdler motor companies say indi-
ms point to price advances by
summer.
Metal Markets Stronger.
me of the reasons for the anxiety
,k4stemobile manufacturers are
lly seen in the conditions of the
lis market. Copper is at the high
price in two years with q wide
al demand for domestic consum-
of all lines and with at least two
lie big agencies out of the market.
according to the most
Bile reports is running well above
uction and producers are reluctant
ccept orders far ahead for large
lnts. Foreign demand also is
ing up fast. Users of the red
/ also are hesitant about accept
orders for their finished products
IS they have enough copper under
IN to assure them of safety. The
rican Brass Company has ad-
ed prices on practically all of its
ucts from three-eighths TO one
cent pound.
e Production Unusually Heavy.
nc is extremely strong, although
mers are better covered for i'm
ate requirements than in copper.
'lus stocks have been steadily re-
d. Tin is advancing and many
observers anticipate much higher
IS. Lead is in a splendid statis-
position in spite of the volume Of
on pouring in from Mexico, which
served to keep prices down to
INT levels which are about A per
above the average for 1922.
ices for crude rubber are very
" and so are quotations on tire
cs. In spite Of these factors, tire
srs are turning out casing at a
of 80 per cent above that for this
last year and having one of the
active first quarters ever known
re industry.
Sugar Market Disturbed.
ie markets for raw and refined
RS continued today to feel the dis
ing effects of the recent price
Z. The excellent marketing meth
" the hurley tobacco growers are
ring plainly in the steadiness of
prices at which recent heavy pur-
es have been made by tobacco
lfacturers.
result of the distribution Of
is shares in stock to employees of
General Motors Corporation, ono
cry twelve workers is now a hold
the security of the company.
D IENn IL g OIL MAREET