Evening star., 1935-12-01

ever before in the history of the city.
The strong uptrend in the auto
motive industry is call for rejoicing.
Better cars are being produced and
what is equally important-are being
sold. This rise in sales goes a long
way to bringing prosperity back to
the Nation.
Regardless of whether one was able
TO have turkey, chicken or just ham
and eggs last Thursday, there was
plenty to be thankful about. May the
coming Yuletide spirit prevail over this
entire month and bring careful driv-
ing that will enable every motorist to
have good record for Santa Claus.
october factory sales of automobiles
manufactured in the United States (in-
cluding foreign assemblies from parts
made in the United States and report
ed as complete units or vehicles) con-
sisted of 275,021 vehicles, of which
214.609 were passenger cars and Co.
412 were trucks, as compared with
S9,8o5 vehicles in September, 131 ,991
vehicles in October, 1884, and 1874 ,683
vehicles in October. 1888. These sta
tistics were released last week by Di-
rector William L. Austin, Bureau of
Census, Department of Commerce.
For the first 10 months of 1885, s.
204,066 vehicles have been sold, as
against 2,516, ,005 for the first 10 months
Of last year and 2,753,111 for all of
1884.
Demand still exceeds supply as the
motor car industry enters the final
month of 1885, according to the Asso-
ciated Press. The accumulation of
retail orders has been increasing
despite steady stepping up of factory
output schedules. These schedules
have been retarded only by inability of
some volume producers to obtain ade-
quate supplies of materials.
The production division in most in
stances has placed its commitments
for raw materials farther in advance
than heretofore has been the custom,
but found that the stocking of dealers
has been wholly inadequate to meet a
retail requirement that exceeded ex-
pectations at this time of the year.
There was some uncertainty whether
the traditionally lean months Of the
automobile trade between October and
January would not enable the factory
division to stock dealers through mod
crate output program. Thus the
assembly activity got under way at q
conservative level The demand for
immediate deliveries, however, has
necessitated an increase in these pro-
duction programs almost without ex-
ception throughout the industry.
Aside from the natural stimulus in
consumer demand Immediately trace
able to new-model appearance, the
industry is counting upon a heavy
Christmas distribution to aid in carry
ing factory activity to higher levels
than ordinarily would be likely. I'M
mediate delivery for Christmas pres
entation will be demanded in many
instances, say sales executives, but in
others purchase orders will be pre-
sented for delivery at future dates.
The production division may catch
up with dealer requirements in few
weeks, but even If lull develops after
January !, plant executives are con-
vinced it will be of only short dura-
ton. In the meantime, they explain,
efforts will be made to build up stocks
Of parts that will be needed in heavier
assembly operations during the Spring
months.
A slight curtailment Of assembly
operations after January / appears to
be about the extent to which produc-
ton authorities believe the earlier
new model production may react upon
factory activity. Nowhere in the in
dustry Is there any great present
apprehension apparent concerning as
sembly line potentialities for next
Spring.
The problem of highway safety in
the United States will not be solved
by statute. Responsibility for sudden
deaths and accidents on the roads Is
clearly up to the drivers of motor
vehicles, with blame attaching in many
cases also to careless pedestrians, ac-
cording to Walter P. Chrysler. In a
special article just published in Today,
the automobile manufacturer points
out that education alone will cut down
the collisions, smash-ups and other
accidents which take such high toll
in the United States each year.
There is much ado today about
automobile accidents" writes Mr..
Chrysler. Some of it is constructive
and wholesome. Some of it is nonsense.
AL of it that tends to make the indi-
Vldual aware of and responsive to his
own responsibilities is helpful. For, as
long as automobiles are what they
are-indiWdual transportation-it Is
the individual who operates the car
or truck, and the individual pedes-
trian, who will make the accident toll
large or small. You cannot make
people safe-nainded by law. But you
can do lot by education"
The writer adds:
Automobile transportation can be
safe If every individual is properly
Instructed in safe practices and i'm
pressed with the danger of unsafe
driving. Education and information
are the solution. This education must
reach every stratum Of society and
be brought to people of every age.
Children in schools must learn to
think In terms of safety. They are
future drivers. Automobiles them
selves are safe. Highways generally
are safe. There is no reason why
individuals cannot be educated to
be safe.''
Construction policies that viii de-
velop "streamlined" highways ade-
quate to serve Americas streamlined
automobiles will be advanced at the
approaching Convention Road Show
Of the American Road Builders Asso-
citation in Cleveland January 2o-24,
according to William p. Mcdonald,
president Of the association.
MIR. Mcdonald declares that public |
interest In the national highway pro-
gram Is more intense than at any |