The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current, March 01, 1914, SECTION FOUR, Page 5, Image 49

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    THE SUNDAY OREGOXIAX, PORTLAND, MARCH 1, 1914.
3
YANKEE AUTO IS
GONDUERlNGWOPiLD
Cars -Exported Number 26,889,
While Imports for 1 91 3 Are
. 492, Says Report.
.83 COUNTRIES ARE SERVED
. Demand for American Car9 Grows
Abroad as ' Result of Ample
Power and Speed and
Low Maintenance Cost.
' In the final report of the Department
ol Commerce, just Issued at Washing
ton, which, has been analyzed by Al
fred Reeves, of New York, an authority
on matters pertaining to the automo
bile industry, there is conclusive evi
dence that the American manufactur
ers are conquering the markets of the
world with their service-supplying au
tomobiles, while the foreign car impor
tations continue to show a steady de
cline. For the year 1913 the United States
exported 26,889 automobiles (1009 of
them commercial vehicles), valued at
$27,029,451, or an Increase of almost 15
per cent over 1912, when the exports
were 23,720 cars, valued at 23.703.989,
while in 1911 the figures were 15,807
cars. Mr. Reeves calls attention to the
fact that the average value for the
three years is about $1000. proving that
the higher-grade cars are holding their
own, and that, besides absorbing moderate-priced
automobiles, the foreign
ers are in equal ratio showing appre
ciation of the big and luxurious prod
ucts of American makers.
In addition to the regular figures, it
must be remembered that two Ameri
can factories in Canada and one branch
factory in London made, approximate
ly, 11,000 automobiles for the foreign
trade. The parts and accessory exports
amounted to $7,900,237, with tires,
$3,910,688, so the total exports of the
automobile industry in 1913 were $38,-
840,376.
Middle Class Korsotten.
Foreign builders must take notice
that America is not alone competing
with them in the big car field, but that
their sales in America are rapidly de
cllning, only 492 automobiles coming
here last year, valued at $1,154,873. as
against 868 in 1912, a decrease of more
than 76 per cent.
One of the main reasons for the
wonderful development of these for
eigh markets, according to Mr. Reeves
who has visited the leading factories
abroad, as well as in this country, was
the failure of the builders in France,
Germany . and England to understand
that the automobile Is not for the rich
alone, but for all classes.
Until two years ago they catered to
the wealthy, with little appreciation of
the thousands of the middle class who
could afford a moderate-priced car, and
who. besides supplying enjoyment for
their families, could profitably employ-
cars in their business.
American Cars Do Well.
The first American cars sent abroad
performed in excellent fashion, showed
ample power and speed, low mainte
nance and snch stamina and style that
the demand grew at a tremendous
pace. Big production on this side, in
genlous engineering and manufactur
. ing methods, coupled with economical
advertising and selling plans and well
supported guarantees of service, were
other factors. The skill of theAmer
lean workman and the offering of full
value for every dollar of selling price
are other reasons that have contrib
uted to this world-wide distribution of
a comparatively new American prod
uct
In addition to cars bought from
branch factories in Canada, that coun
try leads in the purchase of American
products, taking last year 6051 cars
valued at $8,177,256. Second on the list
is the United Kingdom, which bought
5152 cars, valued at $3,966,600. Then
followed Australia, 3564; South Amer
lea, 2713: Asia, 2367; Germany, 3017;
France, 921; West Indies, 527; Italy,
814; Mexico, 227. Other countries in
Europe, exclusive of those named
above, took 1846 cars, while to the bal
ance of the world were distributed
2190 American automobiles, so that
cars, tires and accessories of American
manufacture are being used by. almost
every nation on the globe. The exports
last year covered a total of 83 coun
tries, including such remote places as
Azores, Iceland, Siam, Liberia, Java,
Manila, Transvaal, Cape Colony, Bar
badoes, Singapore, Ceylon, Sumatra,
Borneo, Tasmania, Arabia and Burma.
Export Increase Seen.
Mr. Reeves, who is general manager
of the Hartford Suspension Company,
believes this year will see even a great
er increase In exports, that will place
the automobile industry on a par, if
not in advance of any other product
manufactured in this country. Even
for the year 1913 the figures must be
read with pride in the ability and en
terprise of American automobile man
ufacturers. They are given herewith:
Exports of Automobiles.
Avsrage Total
Tear. No. ' Price. Value.
1S13 ...... 28,889 J1005 $57.0:9.451
191! 23.720 999 33,703,989
1911 15.807 1007 15.924.361
Value cars exported. 1913 $27,029,451
Parts and accessories 7.900.237
Automobile tires 3.910.688
our manufacturing departments at a
constant rate in the Winter, when the
delivery requirements are from one
third to one-half of the Spring de
mand, we are able , to accumulate
bodies in the rough, together with ma
chined stock for chassis. By this
method we are able to finish bodies
and assemble chassis at a rate to meet,
as far as practicable, the heavy de
mands during the other months.
"The heavy draft for cars in the Fall
and early Winter Is met by similar
operations in the factory in the Sum
mer, when our patrons are chiefly at
the seashore, in the mountains or
abroad. We are ebliged to lose some
production in July and August in order
to provide for the rearrangement of
shop machinery, rerouting of stock
through the factory and other changes
looking to the opening of another sea
son. "Statistics show that July and Au
gust, being low months, the cessation
of deliveries in these months is fraught
with the least inconvenience to Pack
ard patrons. Consequently deliveries
will not be booked for July and Au
gust. "By making shop alterations during
this period, the greatest benefit to our
patrons is accomplished and shipments
again become available September 1."
ROAD EXTEXSIOX IS IXTENT
Continuation of Cumberland Way
Provided in Bill.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 28 (Special.)
Representative Barn hart, of Rochester,
AUSTRALIA OFFERS
FINE AUTO MARKET
Commonwealth Land of Prom
ise to Manufacturer of
Medium Grades.
ROADS ALMOST UNKNOWN
Capital of $30,000 Required by
Dealer Who Goes Into Business,
as Considerable Stock Xeeds
to Be Kept on Hand.
BY G. W. AXELSOX.
(Sporting Editor The Record-Herald.)
CopjTieht, 1914, by Henry Barrett Cham
berlin. SYDNEY, N. S. W., Jan. 7. For the
level and hard; In the rainy season
everything comes to a standstill. There
is no chance for either machine or
beasts to move. What bears a close
resemblance to alluvial deposits be
comes a morass. But there is not much
of the rainy season here.
What is referred to throughout Aus
tralia as the "big drought" lasted for
nine years when in certain portions
of the settled country not a drop of
rain fell in that time. Owing to lack
of water at most any time of year,
horses and mules are unable to trav
erse the distances between the ranches
and the railroads and, as a consequence,
the auto reigns supreme, and the one
of American manufacture, at that. It
is not uncommon for one of the big
sheep and cattle owners to have five
or six American autos in his garage.
Trucks are also being Introduced and
a large number of -these are used to
haul the wool "crop" to the railroads.
Here again the American auto comes
into play and the more expensive
motors find a ready sale in this de
partment of the industry. In addition
to being well adapted to the country
the farmer and merchant find the auto
far cheaper than beasts of burden.
Auto Are Indlspenaable.
Truck gardeners and sugar plantation
owners find them indispensable. And
it must not be forgotten that they can
afford to buy. There is probably a
higher per cent per capita wealth here
than in any other part of the. globe and
with the rapid development of the
country this is bound to increase.
"At the present time the automobile
industry is on. the boom," said Mr.
Total exports of auto, industry, $38,840,376
Canada 6051 cars
United Kingdom 5152 "
Australia 3564 '
South America 2713 "
Asia . . . 2367 "
Other countries .................. 2190 "
Other TCurope 1846 "
Oermany 1017 "
France . .' . 921
West Indies '. 527 "
Italy 314
Mexico 227
.Total countries served
Imports of Automobiles.
83
Tear.
1913 .
5912 .
1911 .
No.
492
869
972
Average
Price
$2347
2303
. 2139
Total
Value.
$1,134,873
1.999.587
2,098,481
SAL.ES ARE READJUSTED.
Packard Company to Make Deliver
ies Before July.
Formal announcement of a readjust
ment of selling seasons has been made
by the Tackard Motor Car Company.
The statement, issued over the signa
ture of Henry B. Joy, president, ex
plains that' the operations of the com
pany have finally crystallized into a
plan which conforms as nearly as pos
sible to the demands of patrons as re
corded In 15 years of experience.
"Our chassis have become standard
ized and our present design promises
to remain substantially unchanged for
several years." writes Mr. Joy. "Shop
conditions have been simplified, and we
are in a position to outline our future
programme in accordance with statis
tical demands of the public
"We have labored earnestly to get
into position to meet the demands for
deliveries in the 'peak load' months.
April was 'peak load' month last
Spring, with May, March and June close
up in the order named. By operating
NEW MODEL ONE AND ONE-HALF-TON TRUCK TO ARRIVE THIS WEEK.
f '," - '" "nilim iimmiiii i,, ML.;t....M...jukiJ..i L i.ijiii.i i M......iynmtw, WWIUJP JjU)
' ' - f ' v".-v - X,', - - - ; - - - . - -' '" -
CHASSIS OP WItXTS TRUCK. '
The new weight truck which the Willys-Overland Company has put on the market recently and which
makes its appearance in Portland this week, has caught on in New York rapidly. The city government,
within a few days of its announcement, purchased a fleet of 43 for municipal use. Of these 35 were for use
as police patrols, five for fire work and three for ambulance service. The truck has a four-cylinder, 35
horsepower engine, has a wheelbase of 144 Inches and sells for just under $2000.
Ind., has introduced in Congress a bill
for continuing the Cumberland road
through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Mis
souri. When, in 1802, Ohio was admitted to
the Union, the general Government
gave its written pledge that one-twentieth
of the net proceeds from the sale
of all public lands situated within the
state would be applied by Congress to
building of a National road from tide
water on the Atlantic Coast to and
through the state of Ohio. Similar con
tracts were entered Into by the Govern
ment with the states of Indiana, Illi
nois and Missouri upon their admission
to the Union.
Subsequently, the Government sold
the public lands thus reserved and
pledged to the purpose of building roads
and appropriated the available proceeds
to the building of a road known as the
Cumberland road in the states of Mary
land, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Only
a small part of the money was spent In
ny of the "Public Land states, and
none of it reached Missouri.
Mr. Barnhart's bill calls for an ap
propriation of $5,000,000 for continuing
the construction and providing for the
maintenance of the Cumberland road in
those states. Ohio, Indiana and Illinois
are each to get $1,000,000 and Missouri
$2,000,000. The bill authorizes the
President of the United States to ap
point three National Highway Commis
sioners to have full charge of the con
struction, repairs and maintenance of
the road, fhey'are to serve three years
and receive $5000 a year each for their
services.
Starting Something. .
"Say, d'yer see me two fists and me
strong right arm? Well, I'd jist as
leave start something as not!
"All right. What will you charge
arf hour for cranking automobiles?"
The Cab Driver's Humor.
Old Lady Does your horse ever shy
at motors?
Cabby Lor' bless yer, no, lady; 'e
didn't even shy when railway trains
fust come in. Punch.
Woodland Bank Holds Election.
WOODLAND, Wash., Feb. 28. (Spe
cial.) The annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Woodland State
Bank resulted in the re-election of L.
N. Plamondon as president and R. A.
Henry as cashier. T. E. Oliver was
chosen vice-president. The capital
stock of the bank was raised from $10,-
000 to $25,000, all fully paid up.
WIXNERS OF THE VANDERBILT.
1904 2S4.4 miles: Won by Heatb
(Panhard); Clement (Clement-Bayard),
second; time, 5 hours, 26 min
utes, 45 seconds; average, 62.3 miles
per hour.
1905 283 miles: Won by Memery
(Darracq); Heath (Panhard). sec
ond; Tracy (Locomobile), third;
time, 4 hours 36 minutes 8 seconds;
average, 61.49 miles per hour.
1906 297 miles: Wagner (Dar
racq), first; Lancia (Flat), second;
Duray CLorralne-Dletrich), third;
time, 4 hours 50 minutes 10 seconds;
average, 61.43 miles per hour.
1907 Xo race.
1908 258.06 miles: Robertson (Lo
comobile), first; Lytle (Isotta), sec
ond; Florida (Locomobile), third;
time. 4 hours 28 seconds; average,
64.38 miles per hour.
1909 278.08 miles: - Grant (Alco. .
first; Parker (Flat), second; no
third; time. 4 hours 25 minutes . 43
seconds; average, 52.77 miles per
hour. ' .
1910 278.08 miles: Grant (Alco),
first; Dawson (Marmon), second;
Aiken (National), third; time,
hours 15 minutes 58 seconds; aver
age, 65.18 miles per hour.
1911 291.38 miles: Mulford (Lo
sier), first: De Palma (Mercedes),
second; WIshart (Mercedes), third;
time, 3 hours 56 minutes 86 seconds;
average, 74.07 miles per hour.
1912 299.54 miles: De Palma
(Mercedes), first; .Hughes (Mercer),
"second; Wishart (Mercedes), third;
time. 4 hours 20 minutes 31 seconds;
average, 6S.97 miles per hour.
1913 294.035 miles: De Palma,
(Mercedes), first; Oldfleld (Mercer),
second; Carlson (Mason), third; time,
3 hours 55 minutes 1 second; aver
age. 75.6 miles per bonr.
4
American automobile manufacturer
Australia is a land of promise. The
reason is that American-built cars fit
the country. This is not necessarily a
compliment to this continent, as it may
be surmised that the roads are some
thing on the order of American high
waysonly twice as bad and that is
saying a good deal. Just the same.
Uncle' Sam's autos control the trade,'
and the buyer is satisfied.
The trade is practically .confined' to
the medium-priced cars, such as Fords,
Hupmobiles, Overlands. Bulcks, 'Stude
bakers, Cadillacs, Mitchells and Ram
blers. Higher priced cars are also rap
idly being introduced, but as the tariff
is a pretty stiff proposition the chances
are that the trade for some time to
come' will be confined to the smaller
cars.
Outside of the cities the roads are
pretty much of the backwoods variety,
or no roads at all. The vast Interior is
a stranger to any kind of highways,
and the commonwealth as a whole is
not moving very fast in the building.
That was the reason why a party of
government surveyors and land agents
picked an American car when they had
to go on an inspection . trip into the
interior from Brisbane.
Pack Trains Carry Furl.
Through the brush, dry river beds,
hills and valleys, they traveled .3680
miles without a breakdown, being such
a distance from railroads . that the
transhipment of petrol brought the cost
to $7 a gallon. The extra fuel was sent
by pack trains, by mall coaches and
camel caravans hundreds of miles from
railroads. No animal could have even
traveled one-tenth of the distance for
lack of food and water.
Cars of English manufacture had.
until the Americans came in. controlled
the trade. The machines were, how
ever, practically confined to the cities,
as the continental cars are far from
being adapted to the country at large.
The American cars are built for wear
and tear. That Is admitted in this
country. They stand the racket, some
thing other makes do not. They are
also easy to run, are economical in fuel
consumption, and it is no trouble to
get parts for repairs.
Another thing which has recom
mended the American cars to the Aus
tralians Is that they can go right into
the showroom, pick out a car and take
it home. , Formerly the majority of
dealers first took the order for a car,
then cabled for it, and it usually took
about six months to get it here. The
American agent came, ordered a' sup
ply of cars at the start and kept them
coming, with the consequence that
they always could make deliveries on
the spot.
Yankee Agent on Ground.
One of the live hustlers is F. 2.
Eager, of Brisbane. Mr. Eager re
ceived his training in Toledo, where
he was raised. He is agent for sev
eral American cars, and he discovered
early that in order to get the best re
sults it would be advisable to keep a
large number on hand. Thus cars are
arriving with every steamer from New
York. The prices are considerably
above those quoted in the United
States. A machine selling for approx
imately $1000 at home brings over
$1800 here. A $600 car brings $1000,
and so on. It costs $250 to lay one
down in Brisbane or Sydney. The
duty is about as much more, and thus
$500 is tacked on.
One prominent-automobile manufac
turer from Detroit has been figuring
on locating a factory here. The
chances are that he will, especially
if native capital should go into the
business, in which ca.3e the American
dealers fear the tariff will be raised
to the sky. The trade is not confined
to the continent proper, there being
among others 25 American autos of
one make in the Fiji Islands. New
Zealand and Tasmania 'have . taken a
large share of the output, but the bulk
Is naturally confined to the big cities
on the continent.
The trade among the farmers is of
goodly proportions, however. Autos
have become an absolute necessity.
There is probably no country in the
world where the distances are greater
from points of communication to set
tlements than in Australia. Five hun
dred miles is not exceptional. Outside
of camel caravans and an occasional
mule pack train there are no means
of transportation. Railroads at best
are few and far between. Roads for
the greater part of the continent are
unknown.-- - "- -
The country itself is well adapted for
auto travel, as it is for the greater part
Eager. "We sell about as many autos
as we can buy, and we soon discovered
from experience that the medium
priced autos were the most popular.
There are quite a number of cars which
are sold in the United States for $3000
to $4000, but these are only to be found
in the citres as a rule.
"The automobile is put. to terrific
tests in this country, much more than
back in the states. We have sold cars
to a rancher who has to travel 1100
miles to a railroad. Now that would
be called a regular exploring trip in
the United States, a sort of trip around
the world. Here journeys of that kind
are common. Trips of 600 miles are
nothing at all.
"As a rule stations are scattered
along the way where there is a supply
of petrol. Automobiles sold here have
to be built to stand the racket. The
auto used by the government nartv.
which I supplied with a $1000 American
car, carried a load of almost two tons
all the way, including 75 gallons of
gasoline. It got through without any
mishap, much of the ground covered
being new to white men. After having
traveled 3680 miles it came back In
almost as good condition as when It
lett.
Big Field for Salesmen.
"I do not think that the American
business man and manufacturer appre
ciates what a country we have. When
I go back to the States everybody asks
me if I can understand and talk the
language. They do not appreciate the
iact mat Australia is a white man's
country with the aborigines a negligi
ble quantity. There are all kinds of
business openings here and in the
automobile business especially. Of
course in the latter business it takes at
least a capital of $50,000 to run it sue
cessfully. You can do it on less, but
the one who makes the money Is the
one who Keeps a large number of cars
on hand, and these are paid for be
fore they leave the United States.
"There are probably 12,000 American
cars in Australia and the adjacent
islands. That is quite an Item of
trade, and there is no reason 'whv we
should not be able to sell three times
that many in a short time. The only
thing which can keep out an American
car would be a prohibitive duty. How
ever, the merits of our machines have
been so firmly established that Amer
ican manufacturers should be able to
sell their products for years to come
in the face of some keen competition
rrom European manufacturers."
MISS HELD PROGXOSTIOATOR
Actress Prediction Goux Would En
ter Motor Race Again Holds Good.
As a prognosticator . of sporting
events, Anna Held, the famous French
actress, recently proved herself a blue
ribbon winner. During a late engage-
DATE8 FOR AUTO CONTESTS NOW
SANCTIONED, "
The following dates were assigned
by the American Automobile Associa
tion for automobile contests during
the coming season. Those marked
with asterisk have been sanctioned
officially and the others are tenta-' .
tlvo dates which are contingent upon
proper completion of the preliminary
reqnlrements under the contest rules.
. Date and kind of event:
April 22 Track, Bakersfleld, Cal.
May 30 600-mile race, Indian
apolis. May 30 Track, New York City.
May 30 Track, Providence, R. I.
June 6-7 Track, Bt. Louis.
June 17-18 Hill-climb, Unlontown.
June 30 Track. Sioux City.
July t 300-mile race, Sioux City.
July 3-4 Montamara Festo road
races. July 4 Track, Providence, R. I.
July 17-1S Speedway, Seattle.
August 28-29 Elgin road races.
September 5 Track, Milwaukee.
September 7 Track, Providence,
R. 1.
September 9 Speedway, Pomona,
Cal.
October 2-3 Track, Oklahoma
City.
October 2-3 Track, Trenton.
November 8-11 Track, Shreve-
Faso-Fhoenlx
Lport, I -a.
November ( ) 1
road race.
-"--
1000 CARLOADS
OVERLANDS
That is the number we receive in one season.
80 Carloads Per Month
More than any two concerns put together selling an automobile
for more than $700, and we not only receive them
WE SELL THEM
,We do not consign our cars. We have over 30 agents in the state
of Oregon, and when they get their
OVERLAND AUTOMOBILES
they pay for them. We have but one price, and any time you see
a man driving an Overland, you know, he paid $1200 for it. It
makes no difference whether he does a business of $1,000,000.00
or $1000.00 per year, he pays $1200.00 just the same, and then
gets what he paid for.
S-E-R-V-I-C
F
: When you bujT an Overland car you know that your neighbor did
not get a., better, price than you did, and that is more than you
can say for a great man' other makes of cars.
We are the largest distributors of automobiles' in the world.
; ' : ' 0 Just think of it
1000 CARLOADS IN ONE SEASON
There is now being shipped to the Portland, Seattle and Spokane
houses of J. W. Leavitt & Co. 30 carloads of Overlands every
month, and even at that rate we will be short of cars. Phone or
... call and we will have one of our salesmen show you the
1914 OVERLAND CAR
Electric lights and electric starter.
J. W. LEAVITT & CO.
Marshall 3535, A 2444
521-531 Washington Street
merit at Indianapolis, she predicted
that Jules Goux, winner of the annual
500-mlle) race on -the Hoosler motor
speedway tn 1913, would return this
Spring;.
When queried as to her authority.
Miss Held at first refused to answer.
but finally stated that Goux, accord
ing' to an old Gallic custom, had given
her when she was last In Paris a four-
leaf clover to scatter on the Indian
apolis track. True to her compact. Miss
Held did distribute the plant at the
speedway one fine morningv Whether
her luck will hold good or not, now
that Goux has verified her predictions,
only May 30 next can determine.
A Ijos Angeles, judge recently gave a
joy-riding automobile thelf the ex
treme penalty for grand larceny ten
years in the penitentiary. If judges
throughout the Korthwest were as
"lenient" there would be a decided lull
in automobile stealing.
Ohio will spend over $7,000,000 for
roads during 1914. This Is more than
the state has spent for improving high
ways during the past eirht years.
SAFE
V U
Y FIR
You never bought better tires than you buy in
Goodrich Tires this year
m
We never made tires as good as we
are now making them. N
This is simply for the reason that in
all our forty-four years of manufac
turing experience our motto has been
"Progress and Efficiency."
Longer service and more satisfaction
to tire user has been our watchword. -
- : .
We have not only been pioneers in
perfecting and devising the best
means to put mileage and quality
into rubber and fabric, but we have
been the pioneers in bringing tire
prices to their present low level and
raising the standard of quality.
With us it has been a history of bet
ter raw materials, improved methods
higher quality and lower price.
'
Today Goodrich leads in quality. We
set the standard by which all other
tires are judged.
iPj
S
The Accepted Standard
(GooctFicli
Tires
Best in the Long Run
23
The Goodrich Safety Tread
Five Bars and a Crosstie
The "Safety First" Symbol
The quality of Goodrich Tires today is tha
standard by which all other high grade tires
are judged. That is because they represent
perfection of tire-making and tire-knowledge
which gives Goodrich Tires leadership.
All this in addition to the pleasing
sense of security which you have
when you equip your car with
Goodrich Safety Tread Tires.
Here are the prices on the best tires ever produced in the Goodrich factory:
Just the unit-group of bars and crosstie
which brace and balance the strain on
the tire so that the Safety Tread runs as
a smooth tread does and gives more
actual service and mileage.
e- . Smooth Tread Safety Tread Grey Inner q:,- Smooth Tread Safety Tread Grey Inner
J Prices Pricea Tube Price Prices PricM Tube Pricei
30x3 $11.70 $12.65 $2.80 34x4& $33.00 $35.00 $6.15
30x3 15.75 17.00 3.50 35x454 34.00 36.05 6.30
32x3 16.75 18.10 3.70 36 x 454 35.00 37.10 6.45
33 x 4 23.55 25.25 4.75 37 x 5 41.95 44.45 7.70
34x4 I 24.35 26.05 4.90 38 x 5'S 54.00 57.30 8.35
553
Your dealer will gladly sell you the famous Goodrich tires at these prices
PORTLAND BRANCH BROADWAY AND BURNSIDE STS.
THE B. F. GOODRICH RUBBER COMPANY ,
MS Factories: Akron. Ohio Branches in All PrinciDal Cities i.
There is nothing in Goodrich Advertising that isn't in Goodrich Goods