THE aiORNlftG OREGOXIAX. FRIDAY. MARCH 5, 1915.
8
BOOM FOR AUTOS IN
OREGON IS BIGGER
Advance in Washington, Too,
Put Above All in Propor
tion to Population.
CAR NOW CALLED UTILITY
S. U. CarUiuff, of KirctUone Tire
Company, Sajs Drop In Prices Is
Justified lied uct ion, Not 'Cut.
Rubber Supply Resumed.
"Unless we make an exception of
certain parts of Kansas, which are now
suffering' under prosperity occasioned
bv the boom of the wheat market, the
nates of Ureson and Washington are
developing more rapidly in the use of
automobiles than any other sections
of the Union in proportion to popu
lation. At least that's the way we
have flsured it back East."
This mcssase was brought to Port
land last week by S. G. Carkhuff. sec
retary of the Firestone Tire A Rubber
Company, of Akron. O. Mr. Carkhuff
passed Tuesday and W ednesday in
specting the Portland branch and talk
ing "shop-" with the -local manager.
v W Thatcher. Mr. and Mrs. Cark-
... w in San Francisco at th
lair and will soon proceed to Los
AnM where Mr. Carkhuff plans
quite a stay.
Auto ow Called I tlllty.
Tt.. ..Mnmnhiie is no longer a ric
-,.. riavhinir" said Mr. Carkhuff.
after explaining that the price of tires
y.ri hwn reduced and not cut. i
is now a practical utility just as
much as the horse ever was. All cars
now are fairly reliable, but the time
was when one dared not venture far
away from home without packing nis
niKhtie along with him.
"There was then no telling how
many davs it would require to cover
....,i.H distance bv automobile.
Now in Akron we thing nothing of
driving over to Cleveland for dinner
and allowing only an nour ior mc
Tire Redaction Jnstlfled.
"The recent reduction in the price of
tires was justified by the reduced cost
of raw rubber. Conditions were about
ripe for a substantial reduction when
the European War came. The embargo
Placed by Great Britain on the ex
portation of crude rubber from Eng
land and her colonies, particularly
Malar State, the great rubber center,
made the condition of the rubber mar
ket feverish and caused a. near panic
in tire circles for the time being.
"Bv dealing direct with the govern
ment authorities In England and agree
ing to nive bond to King George that
ro shipments would be made to coun
tries at war with Great Britain, the
embargo was lifted and the temporary
fictitious prices placed at normal
rain. It was natural, therefore, that
th overdue price reduction should soon
follow.
South America Supply Low.
"The rubber supply In South Amer
Jca is almost inexhaustible, but the
problem is in getting the crude ma
terials on the market. All good rubber
Is rained within five degrees of the
equator. White men cannot live In
that country and. as a result. Indians
retain many of their primitive methods.
"Rubber is as fluctuating a commo
dity as is wheat because of the nature
of the supply and because it is handled
in the same way. Consequently, if
Germany should make good her block
ade, the situation would again be
serious. But if shipping is allowed to
continue, the prices on tires should
remain at their present level for a
time at least. I see very little pros
pect of a lower price this year.
Mail-order Baslnesa Knrauraaed.
"The present reductions seem more
marked to the consumer than to the
manufacturer. Previously when the
price of raw rubber grew cheaper
there was a disposition to give the
retail tire dealers the advantage of
the reduction by increasing their com
mission margin. This 'spread' between
the prices quoted the dealers and the
consumers, which encouraged a mail
order business on behalf of the con
sumers, has been reduced by the pres
ent prices to a legitimate margin. Be
fore the profits were larger than the
dealers required and there was always
a temptation to cut list prices."
Mr. Carkhuff was surprised to learn
that gasoline was selling for 10 cents
In Portland. He reported that a stand
ard price of 14 cents and 15 cents was
maintained in Ohio and that gasoline
was selling for 22 cents a gallon in
Fait Lake when he passed through that
city recently.
Tire prices are uniform in all parts
nf the country, irrespective of what
freight rates may be from the fac
torfes to the respective localities. It
costs the Firestone Company fire per
cent to ship tires to the Pacific Coast.
Mr. Carkhuff says, but the price here
is the same as in Cleveland and Akron.
Bljr Travel la Predicted.
"There is a general feeling in the
'East that a great number will tour to
the Pacific Coast during the coming
. season and I think you can look for
a pretty heavy travel." said Mr. Cark
huff. "I myself have heard many tell
of their plans to come to the San
Francisco fair."
Mr. Carkhuff is one of the oldest
employes of the Firestone Company,
and.' in addition to his duties as sec
retary, has charge of the 30 factory
branches. He commenced as a book
keeper and now holds a considerable
block of stock in the company.
MOTOR T
RUCK
SAVES
Without Them, Is View.
Automobile Company, yesterday. "Thei
entire trainload was consigned to our
company for distribution on the Pacific
Coast.
"This train was made up of double
decked cars, containing 600 Bulck auto- '
mobiles of the seven different models "
bro Would Be. Danger
ble shipment of automobiles ever made
in the world's history. -the Bulck fac
tory stopped all operations for five
minutes, and during that interval not
a wheel turned in the great plant at
Flint, Mich.
"It required no less than three loco- m n o i-q DBDVP FYPFWIVF
motives to move this train out of theHUnotO rnUVt CArtHOHl
factory, and it will be run intact to .
Cedar Rapids, Ia where the 65 car- ; ,
loads consigned to the 'Pacific North-
west will he delivered to the Burling- '
ton route for delivery to the Northern Machines Would Do Work or About
TaranLferRailWay MinneSOta 5,000,000 Animals In United
"Owing to the gigantic proportions
of this train, it is beii?.r run solely on
a daylight schedule and is not expected
to reach the Pacific Coast before March
IS. thereby consuming a full week more
than the usual freight schedule of
Western haulsrge."
States, Saving Feed Raised on
80,000,000 Acres of Land.
Average Is 65 Miles a Day.
The motor truck will save the world
from famine if the great European
war lasts as long as Lord Kitchener
A. S. Rush, a- "trouble shooter" for thinks it will, says a well-known man
Ihm electric liht comnanv of Battle ufacturer. He says:
Creek, Mich., rides a motorcycle con- "In spite of the record harvests in
stantly in his work, averaging from 60 the United States last year nign prices
to 5 miles every day. And then on holl-have been the rule on account ox inn
HCFMOBILE GIVIIX PCBLICITV
C'aCliofcn by Fair Officials for Aid
C in Illustrating Buildings.
t$hen the officials of the Fanama
TaiSnc Exposition decided to take pho
tographs of the different buildings, it
wp.J agreed to show a motor car in
soi; of the illustrations as typical of
California progress.
':Jie exposition authorities had a hard
tiny to select the car. After weeks of
pant Investigation, wherein all the
leading makes of motor cars were thor
ouiiily investigated, their standing and
poiQilarity looked into, it was Anally
announced that the Hupmobile, the most
tyii-al "car of the American family"
on the Coast, should be used as the rep
resentative motor in these pictures.
jcordingly, A. B. Barkman. Western
salf manager for the Hupmobile at San
Fran Cisco, was summoned one morning
to Appear In the exposition grounds
with a 1915 Hupmobile. A large num
ber' 'f pictures were taken of the Hup
mobile and distributed throughout the
couli try.
BvScK TRAIX NEARLY MILE
Factory Halts Work, in Honor of Big
" J Shipment of Autos.
J"he special train of 100 carloads
t 4'.uick automobiles which left the
Buik factory at Flint, Mich., recently
JarCd only a short city block of being
a fkll mile in length." said Mel John
'son; Ovejron manager of the Howard
CALIFORNIA? ENJOYS SPIN ON COLUMBIA HIGHWAY NEAR
PORTLAND.
V
-Tat"-., f
.. .
4
W. G. CHAXSLOR, PHK5IDENT OF THE CHANSLOR LYOJT COM
PANY, AT WHEEL OP WISfTON SIX.
When Waller G. Chanslor, of San Francisco, president of the Chans
lor & Lyon wholesale automobile supply house, was in Portland re
cently, he was invited by A. C. Stevens, manager of the local Winton
branch, to take a spin out over a part of the Columbia Highway.
He had Just finished remarking that the Portland weather was
much better than any he had experienced in California for a long
time, so he couldn't well afford to pass up the chance.
The Winton Six, laden with Mr. Chanslbr, Mr. Stevens. George
Johnson, manager of the local house of Chanslor & Lyon, and the lat
ter's family, did manage to crowd its way over the Columbia High
way to a point about 23 or 24 miles from Portland, but it was rather
tough ploughing in some places.
Mr. Stevens reports that It is almost impossible to make much head
way on the highway at this time of year. The heavy surface, he
says, is cut by automobile tires and real injury is done the highway
by travel under existing conditions.
days and Sundays, he attaches a side
car to the two-wheeler and takes his
mother, who Is 68 years of age, for a 30
to 40-mile spin. And Mrs. Rush Is as
enthusiastic about the sport as her son.
Rush has been riding h.s motorcycle
slnco 191.1 and says that his expense
for repairs during- that time has
amounted to practically nothing.
Li
HE.NKY FORD SAYS EFFICIENCY
PROMOTED BY PROFIT-SHARING
Company Expects in Sell 300,000 Cars
In Year Ending Aagnst 1 and Buy
ers Are to Get Their Rebates.
It Is a fact significant of the mirac
ulous growth of the motor-car indus
try that the most prominent figure
today in the United states uovern-
ment's efforts to reconcile capital and
labor should be a motor-car manu
facturer. That man Is Henry Ford, of
Detroit, and the testimony which he
gave recently to the Federal Industrial
Commission was easily the most im
pressing and convincing that has been
offered. A burst of applause swept
through the aldermanic chamber in the
old New York City Hall when Air.
Ford, testifying, said quietly: "We will
guarantee to take every man out of
Sing Sing and make a man of him."
In explaining tne purposes ana ine
actual results of the Ford profit-shar
ing plan Mr. Ford said: "If employers
of labor have a genuine Interest in
the improvement of the condition of
labor, no conditions that are irksome
or distasteful will be laid upon the
men." This is even more to the point:
We cannot expect a man to give us
his best efforts when he is in debt
and has not enough to keep his family
on."
Naturally, some of the representa
tives of capital and large employers
present at the session were curious
to know whether this distribution In
one year of about JJO.000.000 of Ford
profits "really paid or not."
Mr. Ford smiled ana saia: i ooni
know how you would figure that out,
however, there has been an increase of
between 15 and 20 per cent efficiency
since the Inauguration of the ?5-a-day
minimum wage, and the profit-sharing
plan."
It is interesting to see now tnat es
timate of the increased efficiency, "be
tween IS and 20 per cent," is borne
out in the production of Ford cars.
Last year the Ford Motor Company
manufactured and delivered 249.849
cars. This year, between August 1.
1914, and August 1, 1915, 300,000 Fords
will be manufactured and sold at re-
tail. and: that accomplished. Ford pur
chasers will share in Ford profits.
To reach the 300,000 mark means an
increase of about 20 per cent over
last year's production. Ford production
for August. September. October and
November showed an increase of just
about 100 per cent over the correspond
ing period of last year. In other words,
the Ford schedule for fulfillment of
the 300.000 production has a margin
now of nearly 80 per cent. Also, it
is clear that Ford efficiency, under
one year of the profit-sharing plan,
has increased between 15 and 20 per
cent, as Mr. Ford conservatively stated
to the Federal Industrial Commission.
S. D. WALDOX WITH CADILLAC
Jesse G. Vincent Becomes Vice-
President or Packard Company.
Sidney D.- Waldon. who has been as
sociated with the Packard Motor Car
Company., practically since its incep
tion, starting at the bottom of the lad
der and later becoming sales manager,
general manager and vice-president in
turn, has severed his connection with
that company to Join the organization
of the Cadillac Motor Car Company.
In making the announcement of Mr.
Waldon's new connection. General Man
ager Leland, of the Cadillac Company,
said: we have (always regaraea jur.
Waldon as a representative of the
highest type of men in the industry, and
we believe that we have secured a val-
able acquisition to the Cadillac forces.
The Tackard company has appointed
Jesse G. Vincent as vice-president for
engineering to succeed Mr. Waldon.
enormous demand from Burope. Wheat,
which in tfmes o peace would have
sold at around 60 cents a bushel, on
account of the enormous supply, has
been Bold all the way from $1.10 to
$1.45 a bushel and prices are stilt
mounting. Corn is also going up In
price and with it will be dragged the
cost of beefsteaks and other meat
foods that are considered necessary to
the American diet.
"But. what has this to do with the
motor truck? Only this, that the work
of the 25,000.000 horses and mules at
present in this country can be better
and more economically performed by
motor trucks. These animals eat ;
lot of food that could far better b
employed in the fattening of sheep and
cattle.
"Eighty million acres of the best
farm land of the United States must
bo devoted exclusively to the raising
of feed for horses and mules, while the
number of farm cattle and sheep is
oimlnlshing.
"The war in Europe is causing the
united States to be drained of food
supplies at an alarming rate. But at
the same time It has proved beyond the
shadow of a doubt that the motor truck
is the most dependable and economical
form of transportation there is. It has
given an impetus to the manufacture
of motor trucks that is unparalleled
even in the most spectacular periods of
the brilliant history of the automobile
industry. At one fell swoop it has
killed the prejudice of horsemen
against machine transportation. And
besides furnishing this valuable and
Impressive object lesson, the war is
fast providing the economic sltuaton
which will accomplish more toward
the banshment of the draft horse than
50 years of peace and peace propa
ganda.
"There are many who will deny that
the horse can be replaced entirely or
even largely by motor trucks. This un
doubtedly was true up to a couple of
years ago, but the efforts of Uncle
Sam's efficient Army officers have
swept away this last objection to ma
chine transportation. For, at the In
stance of the quartermaster corps of
tne united states Army, there has been
designed and perfected a motor truck
that drives, brakes and steers on all
four wheels, and by virtue of these
qualities can go practically anywhere
a four-mule Army escort wagon can
go. Uncle Sam's Army has already a
large fleet of,-Quads, as these unusual
motor trucks are called, and nearly
every steamer sailing from New York
carries a consignment of Quads to the
European fighting aivnies. .
"The objection of the horseman that
the motor truck would not go through
mud, sand deep snow and over un
usually steep hills Is completely re
futed by the performances of this won
derful truck. .
"It is' inevitable that one effect of the
European war will be the breeding of
fewer horses and more cattle and the
manufacture and adoption of more and
more motor trucks. These, up to date,
art the great lessons of the European
war."
CARS MADE IX RECORD TIME
More Than 100 a Day Being Turned
Out From Big Detroit Plant.
Coupled with the attainment of high
speed production within the short space
of three months' time, officials of
Dodge Bros, are receiving the addi
tional satisfaction that comes from the
perfect performance of the car in the
hands of dealers and owners through
out the country.
Practically every dealer in the sales
organization has been supplied with
cars and trainload shipments are nw
the daily order at the big Detroit fac
tory. .
Closely following the receipt of their
demonstration cars, letters a.ce received
from dealers commenting upon the re
markable performance of the machines
in daily service. Reports on this sub
ject from all parts of the country are
unanimous and favored purchasers who
have already taken delivery of cars are
even more enthusiastic their praise.
Some Idea of the wonderful facilities
at the disposal of Dodge Bros, can be
gained from the fact that production
has jumped from the sero mark in No
vember to over 100 cars per day by the
last week in January. Close to 5000
men are employed at the present time
and additional hands are being taken
on dally. Within a short period the
heads of the production department
plan to accelerate the output of cars
to 200 per day. . ,
rr
$1600
. . ToM
A Smart Practical Car for Town
and Country Use the Whole
Year Around
The Overland Coupe gives
you all the conveniences of a lim
ousine without the burden pf a
large investment.
And the beauty of it is its
adaptability to any and all seasons.
It is comfortable and cozy on
sharp, chilly March evenings; cool
as an open car on hot summer
days ; ,snug and warm in real cold
weather.
That's why it is the ideal all-year-round'
family car.
Any woman can drive an
Overland Coupe.
1 a 1
- - ' - t ; . .
The electric buttons are lo
cated on the steering column. By
just pressing these buttons the car
is started, stopped and lighted.
It is one of the most beautiful
closed cars ever designed.
The interior is completely up
holstered with that fashionable
mouse gray Bedford cord cloth,
which has both strength and soft
ness. It comfortably seats four.
Deliveries can be made at
once. Order an Overland Coupe
today. Thone our dealer.
J. W. LEAVITT & CO., Distributors
, 529 Washington Street, Portland, Oregon
Phones, Marshall 3535 A 2444
" Msde in U. S. A." '
The Willys-Overland Company, Toledo, Ohio
AUTO TRADE MEN ELECT
II. J. BANTA UNANIMOUS CHOICE TO
HEAD ASSOCIATION.
Howard M. Covey Is Picked Treasurer,
"While J. A. Crittenden In Re
tained an Secretary.
"When the members of the Portland
Automobile Trade Association -were
called upon last Thursday to choose a
man to succeed H. R. Roberts as pres
ident, their unanimous choice was H. J.
Banta, manager of the local branch of
the Plerce-Arrow Sales company, woo
has displayed a keen and unlimited
interest In the larger affairs of the
association during the past year.
Howard M. Covey, of the Covey Motor
Car Company, was chosen treasurer by
acclamation, and J. A. Crittenden, for
merly of the John Deere Plow Com
pany, was compelled by his associates
to serve another year as' secretary, in
Bpite of his insistence that the place
go to Frank B. Norman, manager of
the Portland Ford branch.
After a spirited contest, W. S. Dul
mage, of the Dulmaee-Manley Auto
Company, was elected first vice-president
over C. M. Menzies. of the North
west Auto Company, and W. C. Garbe,
manager of the Oregon Motor Car Com
pany, was picked for second vice
president, after tying with A. C. Stev
ens, manager of the local Winton
branch on several ballots.
The entire, membership of tfie asso
ciation expressed its debt to Mr. Roberts
for his successful efforts in building
ud the- importance of the organization
since he took up the reins as its pres
ident. The association has not only
doubled in membership under his guid
ance, but has forged rapidly to the
front as one of Portland s most prom
INCOMING AND OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF PORTLAND AUTOMOBILE
TRADE ASSOCIATION.
-.
r SZ nnnry,
lnent and influential club organizations.
Mr. Banta has, as chairman of the
general publicity committee in charge
of the movement to inauce auiomooue
tourist travel through Oregon, demon
strated his worth as an active worker
and organizer. As he took the chair
for the first time Thursday he an
nounced his Intention of extending ac
tive membership privileges to the pres
ent associate members of the trade as
sociation who are affiliated with ac
cessory firms. He named a committee,
with F. W. Thatcher, of the Firestone
Tire & Rubber Company, as chairman
to revise the by-laws of the association
to effect the desired result.
The activities of the association
have grown so large that a demand
has sprung up for the establishment
of an office to be managed by a paid
assistant secretary, whose function it
will be to look after the routine duties
of the association and preside over a
bureau of general information.
Motorcycles Xotcs.
The F. A. M. sanction has been issued
for the annual international 300-mile
motorcycle race to be held at Dodge
City, Kan., on July 3.
Reports show that the motorcycles
used last year by the police of Newark,
N. J., averaged about 12,000 miles each.
Seven additional machines have been
ordered for use of the police depart
ment there.
The F. A. M. has just paid its 24th
reward for the recovery of a stolen
motorcycle.
' The Motorcycle Club of Philadelphia
has just become affiliated with the F.
A. M.
The Augusta (Ga.) Motorcycle Club
will hold a big race meet on April 22.
F. A. M. sanction has been received
for the event.
Motorcyclists of Houston. Tex., have
arranged for an endurance run to
Sabine Pass on April 21.
Ten motorcycles, 41 motor ambu
lances, and five motor trucks .have
been presented to King George by the
Maharajah Scindia of Gwallor.
Colonel Frank Wood is endeavoring
to organize a corps of motorcycle
scouts in Quincy, 111. Already nine
riders have agreed to become members.
The Wheeling (W. Va.) Motorcycle
Club will hold its annual 300-tmle en
durance run on June 19, 20 and 21.
Motorcycle riders of the east and of
Long Island organized the Hampton
Motorcycle Club.
Plans are under way for the amal
gamation of the two National motor-
ad a Mrtorcycllsls' Association and the
Canadian Wheelmen's Association.
Fifteen hundred motorcycles were
licensed in Ohio during the month of
January.
"I never touched a tool during the
entire trip," says F. Herbert Reddish,
of Lund. Idaho, who recently made a
100-mile run on his motorcycle In eight
hours.
Wheeling, W. Va., motorcyclists are
making up a party to ride to Atlantic
City sometime during the Buinmer.
A series of talks for the benefit of
the riders is being delivered at the
Buffalo (N. T.) Motorcycle Club.
n. , i . . .. 1 1 ha. added
J DC DL rtwm. x.-..
three motorcycles to the equipment or
the Water Department. These will be
used In making emergency repair.
About 1000 riders and their friends
. . . , . L - .-nil. I maak ball
Of the Racine (Wis.) Motorcycle Club.
Motorcycles piayea a prominent i'v
In the recent exhibit of the Tollre
Beneficial Association, of Camden. N. J.
C. W. Waughop, of St. Ixu1. Mo.. Is
i i - 4A.nA-ill,i motnrrvcln lr D
through Indiana. He has Just recently
completed a similar trip throunh the
states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
..... . .-
A. M. au v i,., . " -".
have a motorcycle which has covered
o i ,i i H.H.. with tin rnali cn.f U'hlt.
ever excepting one new rear tire.
AMITY RESIDENT CALLED
Death Takes Mrs. Mary W. Daarti.
a Native of Germany.
Mn. Msrv Wlllamlna Baarts. of
Amity. Or., died at the horns of her
daughter. Mrs. Wilbur W. wood, at
Amity. February 17, death being the
result of pneumonia. Phe was 71 years
of age. Funeral services were held at
the United Brethren Church at Hopewell.
Mrs. Baartz was born In Alt Kunitt.
Germany, August S3, 1844. ana wss
married to Carl F. Baarts at mat piece
April 7, 1174. She came to America 3i
years ago and made her home In Nor
folk. Neb., for 14 years. She moved to
Portland. Or., in 197. where she lived
for eight years, going from Portland
to Amity, where she had since made
her home. She wa a member of the
German Lutheran Church of Portlsnd.
Mrs. Baarts Is survived by her hus
band, a daughter, a grandson and a
sister and brother. The brother and.
sister live In Norfolk, Neb.