Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-01-06

careful geographical balance. N
identical with those used by t
tional polls.
"A trial balloon" as the Automo-
tive Daily News expresses it, has been
sent aloft with postal card question
naires The aim was to ascertain how
many motor cars would be bought by
Digest subscribers next year. DO you
intend to buy a motor car in 1882
was one OF the questions asked. An
sWers have been separated between
those who say they will positively buy
new car and those who say maybe.
Response Very Large.
The response has been exceptionally
large. Forty-eight per cent of those
addressed answer Yes or No" This
is an almost record breaking percent
age of replies says the Digest.
1t indicates live reader interest in
the business prospect for 1885 for the
letter said:
"All of us in business or the pro-
LESSONS, you as well as ourselves, are
very much interested in the posi-
bilities of 1885. None of us wants to
be too optimistic or pessimistic. 1t
is, therefore, a very good time to get
the facts"
With IS years experience with its
polls the DigeSt's test samplings show
remarkably accurate indications of
the entire vote.
In this investigation 80 per cent
reply that they will buy car in 1885.
The Digest applying this percentage
to its million circulation finds that
its families will buy 1866 new cars
next year.
If those who say 1--WE may buy"
Is added to the total number it
amounts to 322,810 cars.
This means that new 1885 models
will roll up to one out of every three
Digest homes.
What kind of cars do Digest read
ers own? To answer this query the
Digest's test went into the question
of price range-"What price CLASP"
was asked.
Here are the figures: $4,000 or IS
per cent are owners of cars in the
$1,000 and under class; 269,663 or
27.5 per cent are owners of cars in
the $1,000 to $4,000 class; 1880 or
10 pei CcllG dlG UWIlcIS VI CdlS Ill
the $4,000 and over class.
The Digest did not ask the question
what price car will you buy?" As
Stunning that buyers of new cars will
buy cars in their present price class
we find that 100000 Digest families
will buy in 1885: 190,362 cars costing
less than $1,000; 79,073 cars costing
from $1,000 to $4,000; 23,431 cars
costing more than $4,000.
Here is total of 1886 cars. If
very conservative average f. o. b.
price of $700 is assumed we have total
sales amounting to $2O5, 0O6,200.
Many Buyers Seen.
This preview of 1885 sales oppor-
tunity staged by the Digest gives the
picture of a very large and con-
siderable group of buyers. Its fur
Their significance lies in its promise
of Nation wide activity in the auto
motive industry, which carries with
it increased production and prosperity
for the many contributing industries
such as steel, tires, oils etc.
The Digest is certain that its figure
of 80 per cent new buyers is reason
able and sound indication of its home
and family market for passenger cars.
This poll was designed to cover only
the home market for pleasure cars.
The above figures do not include car
or truck purchases for business use.
The Automobile Chamber of Com
merce estimates the total output Of
motor vehicles in 1885 will be g.
100000.
Washington residents may get
doubly motor minded this month with
the annual automobile show coming
here at the Auditorium next Saturday
and the American Road Builders
Convention at the Willard jan
uary 1925.
Capt. H. c. Whitehurst director of
highways of the District of Columbia
and president of the A. r. B. A., makes
the following announcement in con-
nection with the convention and high
way exhibit:
Speakers at the opening session on
Tuesday afternoon will include Melvin
c. Hazen, president, Board of Com
misSionerS of the District of Columbia;
Senator Carl Hayden of Arizona,
Thomas H. Macdonald, chief of the
United States Bureau of Public Roads;
Frederic A. Delano, chairman of the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission and vice chairman of the
National Resources Board, and Arthur
w. Brandt, commissioner of highways
of New York and president of the
American Association of State High
way officials.
Subjects to Be Presented.
Subjects to be presented will be:
Message" Broadening the Highway
Program" Advance Planning and
Continuation of an Adequate and
Economic Highway Program" Capt.
Whitehurst will preside.
The general technical session on
Wednesday afternoon will have on the
speakers platform E. w. James,
United States Bureau of Public Roads;
H. F. Clemmer, engineer of materials,
District of Columbia; c. N. Conner,
United States Bureau of Public Roads;
w. T. Chevalier, vice president of the
McGraW-Hill Publishing Co.; j. F.
Seller, American Wood Preservers' As
ISOLATION; Edwin w. Ely, Bureau of
Standards of the United States De-
partment of Commerce, and A. B.
Barber, Chamber of Commerce Of the
United States.
The following subjects will be pre-
scented: indicated Needs in Grade
Crossing Elimination" --latest Devel-
opments in Secondary Road Sur
faces Economic Waste in Substi-
tuting Hand Labor for Modern Ma
chinery," Timber Bridge Structures
Their Economy, Safety and Utility,
"Simpnfied Practices as a Tool for
the Road Builder" and 1.-THE High
way Industry's Responsibility for
Traffic Safety"
The closing open session will be held
on Thursday Afternoon with T. H.
Cutler. chief engineer of the Mis-