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

ping service.
But, returning to the relationship of
the automobile industry to other lines
of commercial endeavor. a study of
authoritative figures reveals the strik-
ing influence of autom0tive purchases
and indicates their Importance to the
whole industrial field.
For instance, of all the rubber i'm
ported into this country during 1925
the automobile industry used SO per
cent. Plate glass used by the Industry
totaled so per cent of production. while
copper amounted to II per cent. A
similar aggregate of iron and steel
was consumed.
Side Products Used.
The staggering figure OF $3.50, 600,
600 denotes the number If gallons of
gasoline used by motor vehicles last
year. with motor oil consumption at
tanning the huge total of 500, 600 900
gallons. Crude rubber used in tires.
stated in pounds, amounted TO 712.-
$4,000. with 227.512, 900 pounds of
cotton fabric utilized in the twelve
month.
These statistics give a thumbnail
sketch of the vast significance of the
automotive industry to the entire
American industrial structure Re
mentioned the demand created by the
business of manufacturing automo-
biles, and genuinely ruinous hardship
would be imposed. The rubber indus
try obviously is in great measure de-
pendent upon automotiVe demand.
But there are many other lines almost
as closely allied-lines which give en-
ployment to thousands upon thou
sands of persons.
The actual business of building an
automobile involves scores of ele-
lnents, all of them vitality interested in
that industry as a source of prosper
ity-and life TO themselves.
Aids Dependent Factors.
A prosperous automobile industry
means more than just that. 1t means
that a long step has been taken in the
direction of material well-being for
many, many dependent factors.
Take the steel industry, for in
stance. Twelve per cent of it's total
production went to the automobile
manufacturers last year. Remove that
demand or diminish that consumption
and the result is plain.
The automotive industry spreads its
arms in all directions, and there is no
business, industry or financial inStitu-
existence.
The business of caring for the 3d.
$50 900 automobiles being operated on
the streets and highways of America
is q great one-greater than might
even be imagined at first. 1t will
come as a distinct surprise to many
10 learn that there are 51.715 public
garages in the United States and
$500 car and truck dealers. The
largest total is reached by the service
stations and repair shops, of which
there are S3,75S. while the supply
stores run a good second, totaling
66,5s4.
Foreign Market Phase.
These figures cover the highlights
Of the industry as it relates to the
domestic field There remains, how
ever, phase which is growing in i'm
portance, which is drawing an in
creasing measure of attention on the
part of leaders of the industry, and
which is destined to loom larger and
larger as time passes.
Reference is to the development of
foreign markets-the exploitation Of
new fields for Americas automotiye
products in realms beyond the seas.
Coupled with the economic aspects
y
will be discussed, there is a thrillingly
romantic picture which may be con
iured up with but little effort and with
no transgression of actual facts.
Into the far corners of the world
have gone American cars. accomplish
ing new feats of transportation, amaZ-
ing natives by their stamina and their
deep reservoirs of power and stead
fast energy, while blazing new trails
of progress in lands awaiting the
vitalizing touch of swift, sure travel
to open them for development and ex-
panSion.
Cars Uphold Traditions.
The Arabian and the Alaskan, the
Brazilian and the Scandinavian. the
Londoner and the native of a South
Sea isle, all are familiar with name
plates which have become bywords to
millions in this country. and these
cars, while operating under varying
circumstances, ofttimes, under ex-
IRENE conditions, in territories thou
sands of miles distant from their place
of manufacture, have upheld the ira
ditions of the industry everywhere.
1t is indeed fine commentary upon
this industrial endeavor to have its
products penetrate into the most re
AlOte SSCtlOHS VI the WOIIU, DIlIEtilS
with them a constructive ability 81
strongly manifest. They are building
with builders from the Cape to Cairo
from the Canal to the Circle, from
Vladivostok to the Hebrides, from
TERRA del Fuego to the Guianas, anc
from Sydney back into the bush coun
try. Platitudinous. perhaps, and YET
so strong is the thrill and verve OF
this side Of the picture that even the
most predetermined observer cannot
fail to make note of 1t and feel It.
color.
Vital to Industry.
Turning more definitely 10 tn,
economics Of the situation, it is read
lily apparent that the upgrowth of al
Importantly large foreign business il
of vital significance to the industr,
and, therefore, to the country in gen
eral. While the mythical ''saturatiol
point" now seems almost forgotten
at least diminished domestic demand
a factor which the industry conceiv
ably might have to centend with il
the distant future, would have {
deleterious effect which Is not am
should not be minimized. However