The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-05-08


The following Is the first of series Of articles
Ing the automobile the part is playing in the nation
oeIense program role which, under close observation,
The National Automobile Dealers association has
given the matter Of production great deal of thought
and II has also given the problem Of restraint Of
production and distribution equal consideration This
article and the which win follow. reveal its
findings facts which are Of interest to every mo-
Job No 1 in America today is defense The country's
gigantic rearmament program to be successful requires
peak efficiency in the national economy And of the
vehicle
This the basis of eight studies made by the National
Automobile Dealers association for the purpose of acquant
ing the public with the place Of the motor in modern
still luxury, the output of which be restricted without
penaizng the American of living These studies show
particularly the wide of the automobile in business
activities and its change from pleasure a utility.
In the first of these studies NADIA points out that
ness to q swift pace at has stepped up the tempo
Of our living. Nowhere In the world has dependence
upon the private passenger or truck reached the
point IL has In this country. Our like the
shoes feet Without them, feel almost
naked. Our freedom Of action is restricted Notes
car Is tied up for repairs Watch your efficiency drop
Suppose this loss Of efficiency multiplied manifold
BY unnecessary restraint motor production and
distribution What would that do to our great national
effort for preparedness Consider also the psychological
reaction the effect on the morale of people eager to put
forth its best effort in behalf of defense 1t wouldn't make
to dull the fine edge of workmans most useful tool
before assigning him important job.
In countless it adds to days accomplishments by
conserving valuable time Now period of intense
industrial and business activity More than ever speed
essential An increasing number of workers must get to
and from their jobs with despatch National defense indus
tries nequenty draw their personnel from wide
sometimes with radius of much 100 miles from the
plants Peak load for the highway transportation system
just ahead
Our dependence upon individual transportation
has steadily increased A survey by the Automobile
Manufacturers association shows that there
2,130 American towns and cities, ranging In popula-
tion from $500 to $4,000 that are doing without any
form of transportation. Their combined popula-
fions Of 11,S44000 depend for routine movements,
wholly upon private
Recent times have marked change in our method
Of travel The horse has disappeared from the city and is
fast disappearing from the country nterurbans are
almost thing of the past Street tracks are being
pulled up Railroad passenger traffic has declined Mass
transportation giving the efficient individual
transportation. You travel time schedule You
70 from door to door No time lost hiking to and from
stations and trolley stops waiting for connections 1t
requires imagination recognize the Importance OF the
automobile in defense program
obviously, the requirement Of materials and man.
power for strictly military purposes must come first
The motor industry quick to realize that Priority
in machine tools yielded early to defense indus
tries National automobile shows for 1871
celed. Retooling for 1912 models is being held to
minimum. Workers training programs under
way In the factories The National Automobile Deal
ers' association Is launching nationwide mechanics
training program. No industry is alert to de-
Tense needs Of country, more cooperative IN
efforts to meet those needs
1T is double assignment that the motor industry is
carrying out While participating substantially in the pro
dncton of military equipment it is at the time full
filling the Of the civilian population for passenger
Anything ingraned in the economic life of nation
individual transportation In this country cannot be dis
turbed without loss to national efficiency