The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-05-08
.RR0JW,ERS Gee
JUMP m AUTO
PRICES
Raw Materials Men Are Fear
ed by Manufactursrs -
Forcing Boosts.
BY MaRsE1AIL B. FWzIsly1sR
nnnw.oansitan Nanwa HerSscc.

| DETROIT, Mich. May S.--IAed by
ifIenry ETord. -stutouebiie sslandfac-
.turers arenow nfak1rfga determined
fight to avoid further iucrsaees in
the prices of motor cars.
After having heard the saw ma
teriais men branded by Fdrd ~
eprofireers, THESE auto makers fear
that should there be y general
boosttng of car prices. the raw ma
Iterials men viii seize upon 1T as
an opportunity to put their prices
still higher.
THE suddenly rising prices Of
materials are unnecessary. The
lraw materials men sge the ger-
-ness of certain manufacturers to
do two years business IN one and
they trade on this eagefsnsss. says
Ford. Tine Ford CompanR will
! not be party to any panicify run
ming up of prices"
See Increase In Prices.
Capt. Eddie v. Rickenbanker. of
the RiclEenbaclser Motor C0uapany,
who was one OF the earliest oE THE
manufacturers to predict price
boosts. also secs THE pUssibfliey Of
raw material boost should car prices
so up.
Other manufacturer ala0 are
h1ring it win not be necessary TO
increase their prices, and theElcaow
ii would reduce production. Where
It has been necessary for price
bOosts, manufacturers have desired
to keep rs quiet as possibae.
As a result Of this Feeling few
changes have taken place. Only
three have been noted this month.
and one Of them was O reduction.
Durant and the Gardner Motor
Company, Inc, Of st. Louis, Mo-,
increased their prices. while Chevro.
let prices were cut on some rnolsels.
Ford says he has the Rrsn and
could readily get the aahksriaIs
himself to make 10000 cars i day.
but as other manufacturers are not
so well fixed as he. he win not
contribute to the confusion OF
prices.
Prosperity OF the average AmAri-
can, as reflected in unpretAde1lted
sales Of autos this spring win sake
th1s summer the greatest touring
season ever experienced, according
to prominent auto men and tourist
bureau managers. It is estimated
that at least $500, 900 car owners
will seek the open road this season.
and already tourist. bureaus a1sA be.
ing swamped with applications for
routes. Trans-continental noeates
are in especial demand.
Dealer requirements for Ford
cars and trucks during May call
for 100000 vehicles, with. trucks
increasing in demand.
Straw Used in Wheels.
Among the many innovations at
the Ford plant, is the use or straw
in making steering wheels Ford
has q farm on which the raises
wheat, which he converts into flour
to sell to his employees. From the
straw he makes Fordfte. nom
which in addition to steering
wheels he manufactures s0rfng
Gus other small parts for hts cars.
Auto production is continuing at
high rate.
Buick Motor Company produced
more than $4,000 cars the first
three months this year, and ex-
poets to surpass its goal or zoo ,Da0
in 1928. May output will be $4,000.
REQ production for the year will
total $4,000 cars this fiscal year
compared with $4,000 In the. year
ended August 81, 1922.
Current operations ir1dicate that
at least ten thousand cars viii be
delivered in the second quarter OF
the year by Chandler Motor Car
Company.
Willys.Overland expects to- PRO
duce 100000 cars the first six
months this year
The Detroit Steel Products Corn
Npany. Detroit, one Of the largest
manufacturers of automobile springs
and friction drive gears, will build
"A branch plant in Emeryvt1ie.e near
Oakland. Cal. which will cover an
entire block. it is announced. The
output there will be for export
business.
The c. H. Wills Company, IS. 0o0,-
900 auto concern making Willis
st. Claire cars. at Marysville, Mich.
will be sold at public auction June
4. The company now is turning
out $50 cars a month.
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