Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26
HALLER Confident
: OF BRIGHT FUTURE
declares Capital Has More
Reason for Optimism Than
Other Large Cities.

Washington automobile dealers are
this week showing the latest in style
rand engineering achievements to the
,sutomotively inclined Washington pub
.sic. As is usual at this time of the year,
predictions for the coming years busi-
mess are in order and are almost unan-
1mously optimistic.
According to Fred L. Halter, first vice
president of the Washington Automo-
tive Trade Association and president of
the District Motor Co, De Sofa distrib-
utors, the Capital has more reason for
optimism than any other large city in
the country.
In the first place." he says, the now
famous stock market crash had prac-
tically no bad effect on business condi-
tons here. Washington has never been
materially affected by national condi-
;tions or slumpS Of any kind. The ma
jority Of WaShingtonians have a fnan-
,cial standing relatively far above the
average in other cities; employment
conditions here are steadier the year
round than anywhere else. Uncle Sam
has thousands of Federal and District
employees here who are receiving regu-
lar and in most cases, substantial sal
aries. In addition to this, many of the
'countrys richest citizens make WASH
ington their home good part of the
year. With an enormous building pro-
gram in progress, which will keep the
industrial classes busy for some time
Sto come, can see nothing but a bright
future for washington merchants as a
whole and automobile dealers in partic-
Mlar.'
Sees Keener Competition.
"Of course, I realize that we will all
have to work hard. There will be more
and keener competition than ever. It
VIII be clean competition, however, and
not vindictive, and good clean compe-
tition is beneficial to the pubic Of any
city"
The Washington automobile buyinR
public" he continues, has come to
realize that automobile dealers here are
not all trying to outwit 1t at every turn,
As has been the impression at times
IN the past. All recognized dealers are
making every effort to cooperate with
the policies of the Better Business Blu
Teau and invite investigation and con-
.Structtve criticism at any time. Every
possible effort Is being made to stamp
out any tendency toward misrepresenta-
ton in any way, and am sure that the
automobile business in Washington, at
least, is on higher scale than it has
ever been before.
AS chairman Of the used car COM
mlttee OF the Washington Automotive
Trade Association, have been in close
contact with the used car situation. We
have kept constantly in touch with this
angle OF the business both from the
standpoint of the public and that of
the dealer. I find that the public real
lies that most dealers make q fair al
1owance for a used car on the pur-
chase Of new one and that shop
ping around for better price en-
phatically does not pay. When one
accept the fair allowance of a legit-
innate and financially sound dealer.
one not only gets ones moneys worth,
but permits the dealer to realize q fair
margin Of profit, and thus enable him
TO be In q position to give the utmost
in service and maintenance.
Hits Price Cutting Dealers.
ut has been proven by experience that
the dealer who makes practice Of long
price and cut-throat trading tactics
can't help but lose money. Sooner or
later he is forced to the wall and out
of business. This leaves the purchaser
with an orphaned car. Naturally when
this owner takes his car to another
dealer for service, he cannot expect to
receive service on an equal basis with
the man who bought his car from the
dealer who, by abiding by good sound
business principles, Is still in business.
OF course, one will get expert service and
won't be charged exorbitantly as there
is no vindictive overcharging on this
type Of business. All merchants natur-
ally cater to and extend any little extra
scourtesies to the regular customers who
have supported them.
The automobile show this year Is
&one Of the most outstanding in the his
tory Of Washington. Surprises are
many, and those who thought auto
mobiles had reached q peak of perfec-
ton have a real treat In store for them
at the Washington Auditorium all this
week"