Evening star., 1933-07-09
DEMAND PRESSES
MOTOR CARPLANTS
Sales and Production Have
Made Steady Climb Through
June Into Midsummer.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

July found the automobile plants hard
pressed to supply national demand for
new cars. May usually registers the
peak of the seasonal rush for the year,
but under the unusual conditions now
prevailing, sales and production curves
have maintained a steady climb through
June and into the Midsummer period.
Should general business continue the
upSWing with commodity prices follow
ing upward in its wake, the sales divi-
sions expect no let-down during the
next three weeks, which is as far as
any of them care to forecast in view
of the fact that controlled output still
is a ruling factor.
As Of July l. it was estimated by COM
petent authorities that the industry was
5000 to 100000 units behind the mar
ket, and stocks of new cars in the field
we're said to be at the lowest point to
be registered for the last two years.
Numerous large cities throughout the
country bought double the number Of
new cars in June compared with May
and still larger group, according to
records on file. bettered the May total
by so per cent and more.
Face johnson Hearing.
The only possible obstacle in the clear
course ahead for the producers is the
result of the Federal hearing before
Gen. Hugh S. johnson, industrial ad-
ministratOr. on the new operating code
by which future operations are to be
governed. The code this week has been
in the final stages of preparation. and
all speed Is to be made in officially de-
termining its provisions. Gen. john
son and other members Of the brain
trust" at Washington will have the final
say-so regarding schedules TO be
adopted.
While automobile manufacturing has
been battling extreme slump conditions
for more than three years, research does
not seem to be depressed. So it would
seem. according to c. B. Veal. research
manager of the Society Of Automotive
Engineers. The engineers are keenly
alive to the widening opportunities for
new talent and new products. This ap-
plies as we'll to those who can discover
new uses for old products.
Industry needs research in its pres
ent sickness" he points out. 1T also
has in itself the elements for the cure.
Organization of business into large units
amasses reserves of capital to pay the
bills of research. Continuity of exist
ence of large corporations enables them
to play waiting game while new ideas
arc being born and perfected in their
laboratories.
Leading manufacturers estimate the
ratio of profit to amount spent for re-
search at from 100 to 800 per cent Re
search activities find their way into the
annual reports of large companies. along
with finance, markets. operations. labor
conditions. general business conditions
and outlook.
Design Follows Research.
I'm bringing a new product into the
market fundamental research is followed
by experimental design and develop
ment Then comes production. market
ing and distribution. in all Of which the
engineer plays an important part.
Engineering likewise has gained new
impetus through the adverse conditions
against which industry has been labor
hg.
Engineering today is like mighty,
irresistible river" according to H. T.
Woolson chief engineer Of the Chrysler
Corporation and head of the Detroit
section of the Society Of Automotive En-
gineers. Ideas are cropping up In all
directions and forcing themselves to the
front. In addition to body and chassis
design and experimental development.
required to produce intricate parts effi-
GENTLY, accurately and cheaply. Some
of the machines in use are almost hu-
man in their functions.
"Metallurgical engineering Is also in
cluded, giving recognition to the
progress in that branch without which
automotive mechaniSmS would be i'm
possible. The chemical and electrical
activities are equally important and
service engineering comes in for con-
sideration. recognizing the Importance
of keeping automotive equipment oper-
ating properly for long periods OF
time"
Rubber Paint Seen.
Current scientific news Of the auto
motive world chronicles the develop
ment of a new industrial paint that has
a rubber base. It is credited to the re-
search division Of the Goodyear Tire &
Rubber Co., at Akron. Ohio. and is said
to be undergoing initial use in certain
Detroit automobile factories.
The new product substitutes rub
ber base for the conventional lead paint
base. After the paint dries, it is said
that the material can be bent, crum-
pied. doubled or rolled without cracking.
Strong acids will not penetrate it,
which makes it particularly fitted for
use with automobiles.
Another new device or principle
which is a research product. comes from
the Bendix- Westinghouse organization
at Pittsburgh. Pa. It is known as "air
steering control" Its advantage is said
to lie in the reduction of road shock
and the elimination of "shimmy."
The mechanism consists of double
acting cylinder controlled by valve ar
rangement and can be fitted to almost
any manually operated steering gear
1t combines the power and flexibility OF
air with just enough physical effort to
maintain wheel feel" The air pres
sure delivered to the cylinder is pro-
portional to the force delivered on the
top of a valve piston plunger. The
valves are actuated by a rocker arm
which delivers air to one side of the
cylinder at time.
The valves are so adjusted that the
air can be exhausted from both sides
of the double-acting piston simulta-
neously. but air pressure can be de-
livered to only one side at a time.
Copyright, 1888. BY North American News