Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12
MAKERS STRESS
AUTO IMPORTANCE
General Industrial Improve
ment Seen by Manu-
faCturers.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
DETROIT, April 1.-THE automo-
tive industry has maintained, in fact
more than maintained. the consistent
policy which it established from the
beginning of constant progress in the
form Of greater values. It is to be
hoped that other industries will follow
this example. If so, the beginning Of
business improvement should be es
tablished'
View of Mr.. Sloan.
This is the view of Alfred P. Sloan,
jr., president Of General Motors. as ex-
pressed in the current report of the cor
poration's operations of last year. It
sums up in plain terms the general be-
lief of the Detroit magnates as to the
present status of automobile. manufac-
turing and the prospects Of a come
back during the remainder Of 1881.
The motor car, next to food, cloth
ing and shelter, has taken the first
place in the budget of the individual"
the General Motors president adds.
THE thought has been advanced by
many authorities, entirely within rea-
son, that the automotive industry will
lead the way to business recovery IRE
Specttve of whether this may or may
not be true, 1t is. nevertheless fact
that the economic situation through
which we are now passing will demon
strate that the automotive industry is
built upon a foundation of necessity,
that 1t compares favorably from the
standpoint Of stability with any other
industry and that. therefore, it is en-
titled to and will receive equal recog-
milton in the future
Mr.. ScoviIIe's Statement.
Along the same line, but more ex-
plicit, is an observation of John w.
Scoville. chief statistician Of the Chrys-
Ter Corporation. This week Mr.. Scovills
has said that the business picture looks
more encouraging and that the auto
bile industry is steadily climbing to-
ward normally.
Last November, he pointed out, retail
deliveries of all makes Of cars had
fallen to AZ per cent Of normal. Re-
covery commenced in December. with
deliveries at 60 per cent Of normal.
January increased still further, to 81
per cent. February reports show that
this figure has been raised to IS per
cent.
IF business continues to improve at
the rate it has in the last 80 days" Mr..
Scoville concludes, 'it is not too opti-
mistic to predict that by Midsummer
the automobile industry will be enjoy
ing something like normal business"
That such a movement is under way
is indicated In the current reports of
numerous companies.
William J. McAneeny, president Of
the Hudson Essex organization, told
dealer assembly here this week that
national sales Of the company's cars
had increased over the previous week,
which had been the best since June Of
last year.
Speaking at South Bend, Ind, A. r.
Erskine, Studebaker president, reported
that April orders so far exceeded by II
per cent those Of the same month last
year He estimates that the output Of
all factories this year should reach g.
100000 cars and climb to 100000 in
1882. During April Studebaker pay
rolls will be increased to S350000
weekly from 100000 which prevailed
during March.
Report of Mr.. Knudsen.
In issuing March production figures,
William S. Knudsen, president OF Chew
rolet. fines that the total-79,603 cars
and trucks-was larger than any month
since May, 1880. This figure represents
an 18 per cent gain over February. Mr..
Knudsen adds that production Of the
company is being conservatively in
creased IN line WIN Jne upIuTu Oh tlc
sales chart"
According to George M. Graham
vice president. in charge of Willys-Over-
land sales, March for that company
was 10 per cent ahead of February
Passenger car business not only is salts
factory but the sales of commercial
units as well. Future prospects are ex-
tremely encouraging.
The Nash report covering March says
that sales were greater than in any
month but one since April, 1880, and
bettered February by 80 per cent. April
orders on file indicate that month will
far exceed the March increase PERCENT
age, according to c. H. Bliss, sales chief.
Other Auto Reports.
Pierce Arrow deliveries in the final
week of March reached the highest
point since last August. That factory
is holding the largest bank of untitled
orders on hand since April of a year
ago.
The Franklin plant at Syracuse, N.
Y, has experienced week by-week in
creaSes resulting in a 80 per cent Jump
for March over February AS result,
April volume has been scheduled at 80
per cent better than that of last month
Z. l.. Cord, chairman of the board
of the Auburn company. has noted a
steady rise since January !, culminat-
ing in 1000 untitled orders over the
Yy1Y1her carried from PehrIiaru into