New Britain herald., 1923-07-02
BABSON ON AUTOMOBILES


 the growth of the automobile indus try to illustrate the necessity for re- adjusting ourselves to new conditions in many fields. The weekly letter of Roger Babson, published recently deals entirely with this subject of automobiles and the effect of the in- dustry upon us and upon the next generation. Bankers, manufacturers and merchants must consider auto- mobiles the most important factor with which they will have to deal in the next twenty years, MT. Babson asserts.
 It is not unusual for the parent of today to glance at his child riding by his side and be impressed by the fact that he, the parent, never covered so much territory ,in his young man. hood as his child travels over today. He walked more; he wore out more
 
 son notes the fact that the automobile is. changing the fundamental char acter of our children and that this, in turn, may revolutionize many in- dustries. We arc raising a genera tion," he says, that will actually work and play on wheels" for he believes the automobile industry has come to stay. It is obvious that the automobile is helping the building in dustry at present, as people erect homes in the suburbs because of the private means of travel furnished by the automobile. This cannot last forever. It is equally obvious that people are buying automobiles and from buying other things because of such purchases.
 How the automobile industry will affect the various lines of business is not as obvious and is a matter that every man should study for him self. It is simple enough for mer- chant who sells candy, for instance, to realize that the building of a great school near his shop will help his candy business. But it is not SO simple for one dealing in fine 1ress goods to reach correct con- ,lusion as to what effect upon his business the increasing number of will have. He knows his own business best, and will figure on he situation. He may well say that when everyone owns an automobile | 'ewer delicate gowns will be worn: | put going little further he may say | hat the increasing popularity of | closed cars may prevent a lessening | ,f the sale of fine dress goods. He nay go even farther and feel that | ,losed cars. now growing popular, nay have but short day and that ,pen cars will again come into uni 'ersal use. He may even dispute dr. Babson and decide that the lorse drawn vehicle will soon be- ome popular for pleasure use.
 The point to be emphasized is that. ach business man should give heed 0 Mir. Babson's remarks and act ccordingly-looka ahead. 'The auto mobile industry says the noted lis largely responsible for he condition Of business today. The act that the Babson chart stands at
 per cent above normal compared with IT per cent below a year ago 5 due largely to the automobile in- ustry. When one considers that turing the first months of 1923 most states will show as many new egistrations as during all of 1922 | is remarkab ble that business has ot boomed more. The only answer is hat people have bought automobiles of buying something else hat is safes Of other things have allen off accordingly"
 Is the increased use of the auto mobile going to hurt or benefit your usiness; can your business be altered artially to benefit by this develop lent-or had you better get in some ther business?