Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-30

n tNIN1lNNT TO CONCLUSION Il
year replete with important
developments, the automobile
80 industry now is we'll started on
its way in twelvemonth which
gives promise of being livelier than its
predecessor, more significant in its
worldwide as well as domestic
aspects. and filed more fully with
lnterest-arresting elements of the
most far-reaching character.
The year 1926 was the greatest in
the history of an industry whose
broad, forward movements have been
an outstanding feature Of the Ameri-
can industrial situation, and the con-
Sensus among well-informed leaders
IN all phases of economic thought
is that the current period will wit
hess the acquisition by this endeavor
ot an even greater measure OF
fundamental strength.
Naturally, with vast industrial
power come problems of n CORE
Spondingly large nature; and in this
respect the automobile industry diff
Sers from no other business venture.
Zach commercial unit, great or small,
has its problems to meet and its
important questions of policy TO
solve-and during 1926 the automobile
industry was faced with many which
have been carried over, intact, or mod
ltied, or, as in some cases, accentu-
ated into 1927.
Used Car Problem.
A distinguishing feature of this
phase is the increasing desire and
Willingness of the automobile industry
10 face, boldly, clearly and inreIn-
gently, the veXing problems which
confront it. Chief among these prob
lens may be considered that of the
used car, more or less a thorn in the
side of the industry ever since Amer
tea began to use the automobile in
large degree.
1t can be said in all truth that
never before has the industry taken
such a determined stand in this
matter; never before have all factors
concerned in the business considered
The question so seriously. This alone
Is a great forward step, and marks
a definite and progressive change in
attitude toward a problem which we'll
grounded economists have called the
most pronounced menace facing the
industry. With this new movement
already under way, it is not too much
TO expect that during the current
year further contributions will be
made toward at least the partial
solution of the used car problem.
Statistics covering accomplishments
of the automobile industry during
1926 are fairly alive, bristling with
a story of aggressive progress and
carrying a message of greater things
10 come.
Production during 1926 was approx
mately az per cent greater than
during the preceding II months, and
the output of cars and trucks reached
an aggregate of 4.4S0,0
Vast Economic Forces.
Americans have become glib and
blase when it comes to a question of
automobile production, and the figures
4,4S0, 900 are written and read with
but little of the thrill they really
should evoke. During and since the
World War the country has become
accustomed to thinking in terms Of
millions and billions-so it is doubt
full whether the fact that the Ameri-
can automobile industry produced
4.4S0,000 units of transportation
means to many as much as it really
should.
Consider the vast influence upon the
life of the Nation and the world for
ALSO. 900 individual units of individual
transportation to come into being
within the narrow confines of IL
months!
What vast economic forces are
brought into play in this gigantic
task What sweeping tides of bust
ness and financial movements surge
and flow beneath those seven bare fig
ures-4, 480 ,000i
Forest and jungle, cotton planta-
ton, coal mine and steel mill-these
and many more factors are deeply and
vitality commemorative banker, the in
dustrialist, the merchant and every
man. all have a part and all are af-
fected by this Gargantua among the
worlds commercial ventures.
Even Greater Effort.
It is easy to say that ALSO 900 mo-
tor cars and motor trucks were start
ed upon their careers during a single
year, and it is easy to lose the signifi-
cance of such a prodigious feat. How
ever, the significance is there, and,
when it is realized that the industry
is girding itself for an even greater
effort during the year now under way,
its strength, virility, daring and latent
power are more thoroughly and cor
rectly comprehended.
The automobile industry, by con-
stantly smashing its own production
records. has taught the public to ex-
pect great things. When they come
the public accepts them, more or less
indifferently. due to this very repeti-
ton OF success.
Let it be borne in mind that the
production of ALSO, 900 vehicles with
in the comparatively short space of IL
months is an industrial achievement
unequaled in the history OF mankind:
that it is a record before which
thoughtful economists and observers
stand in something very closely re-
sembling awe. In any discussion or
consideration of the industry the cas-
nal observer would do well to remem-
Der these things.
Details of the production statistics
are exceedingly provocative and inter
esting. Prepared annually by the Ma