8 TIIE SUNDAY OREGONIAN. PORTLAND, JANUARY 7, 1917. TIRE COMPANIES ANNOUNCE RISES General Increase In Commo dities and Labor Blamed 1 for 15 Per Cent Advance. GASOLINE CHANGE URGED Consumption in Oregon Estimated i at 24,000,000 Gallons Annu ally and Price Is Always . V Cent Above California, ' Within the past week or 10 days vir tually all of the companies engaged In the manufacture of automobile tires have raised their prices materially and indications are that tire prices will be upward rather than downward for some time to come. Meanwhile the price of automobiles lias been Increasing: steadily and at present writing but few cars in America are sold as cheaply as they were a year ago before the scarcity of materials and the higher cost of labor was felt so severely. Gasoline also costs considerably more than it did in the recent past, but there is at least a ray of hope in this field, as there seems to be likelihood that the forthcoming Legislature will remove the present unnecessary specific gravity requirement which makes gasoline cost a cent a gallon more In Oregon than it does in Washington and California. Ex perts say that the gasoline sold In Ore gon, though it possesses higher specific' gravity and therefore requires a spe cial process for manufacture. Is no bet ter than Washington gasoline, which cells always for a cent less a gallon. Gasoline Consumption Heavy. By the way, how many gallons of frasollne do you suppose are used In Oregon annually? A. D. Parker, district sales manager of the Associated Oil Company, says the Oregon consumption of gasoline is about 24,000,000 gallons a year. Approximately 75 per cent of the gasoline is believed to be consumed by automobiles. If this figure doesn't sound right to you take the question up with Mr. Parker or the representative of some other oil company. Meanwhile we should also stop to think how much Oregon motorists will save if the Legis lature removes the arbitrary require ment which makes gasoline cost a cent a gallon more than it would without the present law. Among the tire companies which have already announced increases in their price lists are the B. F. Goodrich Rub ber Company, the Goodyear Tire & Rub ber Company, the Firestone Tire & Rub ber Company, the United States Rubber Company, the Fisk Rubber Company of Kew York, and a number of less promi nent concerns. In most instances the exact quota tions under the . new basis have not been made public pending the arrival of listings from the factories. The branch managers in Portland have been MOT "NT HOOD ROAD IS OPE" ABOVE RHODODENDRON. According1 to William B. Froude, of the Frank C. Riggs Company, who motored to Welch's and Arrah Wanna last week end in company with his family and James R. Patterson, the Mount Hood road is now in good condition and easily pass able to and beyond Rhododen dron Tavern. Mr. Patterson, who makes fre quent trips to his cottages in the Rowe neighborhood, reports that the Bull Run-Marmot route Is by far the better way to approach Mount Hood at the present time. In going out last week-end Mr. Froude steered the Packard over the Sandy-Cherryville road and found several slippery places, though the road was open. The return trip was made after dark over the Bull Run road. Those Portlanders who desire to enjoy a ski trip at the base of Mount Hood can drive their cars almost to Laurel Hill, the long Incline that ascends to Govern ment Camp. Mr. Patterson says there is now about three feet of snow along Zig Zag Creek at Twin Bridges and that there is good skiing from that point for ward. Automobiles have been driven in and out of the regions at the foothills of Mount Hood all through the Winter months, Mr. Patterson says. informed not to sell at the old prices due to the new conditions. It is un derstood that the price increases will range to about 15 per cent, with varia tions according to the different com- t panies. Labor Cost Figured. Although the price of rubber ad vanced recently this development is not held responsible for the changed prices. The cost of cotton fabrio and of labor are given by tire authorities as the chief causes. Egyptian cotton has risen from 66 cents to a dollar, an advance of 60 per cent, and American cotton, cost ing only two-thirds as much, has ad vanced nearly 60 per cent over what It was a year ago. while sea Island ont ton Is up 80 per cent and the European nations are taking all they can get. until six weexs ago rubber was worth only a little more than it was in 1916, but there has recently come an advance of nearly 20 per cent and oxide of zinc has advanced 13 per cent. Estimates are to the effect that labor has increased from 18 to 20 per cent owing to the brisk competition with other industries competing for labor. For Instance, coal handlers, who were recently getting 17 cents an hour, now command 34 cents, while mechanics who formerly earned 4.50 and $5 are now getting $10 or $12. Financing has also become more expensive and other overhead charges are said to be greater. With car. tire and gasoline prices on the upgrade Portland motorists are. watching developments with keen in terest. TIRE HOLDS SOLDIER'S NOTE Secret of Enlistment Ont After 10, 000 Miles of Travel. T'm off to Tendon to Join the territorial. If this 1s read In a reasonable length of time V!l probably be In h . or som-here In Krance. L. T. R., Akron, Ohio, Aug. 11, 191. Written on a piece of memorandum psper and folded into a wad, this pen ciled note was taken from the inner tube of a tire last week by Thomas C. Jenkins, of Columbus, O., who reached Los Angeles recently. Jenkins and his wife and child made the Overland trip to Southern Califor nia by the Santa Fe trail, by way of Chicago. Omaha, Kansas City and Denver. The tire before it blew up had been in almost constant use since it was purchased and. had made almost 10,000 mile . PORTLAND AUTO DEALERS DEFY ICY BLAST AND RAIN TO FULFILL "MOTOR-ALL-YEAR" SLOGAN BY, ROAD TRIP Columbia Highway in Grip of 'Winter When Daring Enthusiasts Venture Out in 50 Machines on Bleak Day Unique Attire Attracts Attention to Excur-'-. sionists Dancing and Luncheon at Corbett Marks Programme on Return. 8: - BT CHESTER A. MOORES. ALTHOUGH the gods of weather con cocted one of the most disagreeable little spasms of rain and slush that had graced this locality for many a day, Portland automobile dealers and associates proved themselves honest. loyal and faithful to promise last Mon day by turning out in droves to stage the first annual New Tear's run over the Columbia River Highway, held in celebration of the new slogan. "Ore- gonians Motor All the Tear." The day was cold and bleak. Rain fell almost continuously from the time the motorists left the city at noon until they returned after 6 o'clock in the evening, but none of the cars was Uirned back before Multnomah Falls was reached and none of the pilots at the helm of the 60 or more automobiles which carried some 250 or ZOO vaca tionists on the tour was willing to ad mit any discomfiture. All displayed by deportment as well as words that they were mighty happy to be pres ent. Sandy Boulevard Clear of Snow. Following the heavy rain of the morning, the pavement of Sandy boule vard was devoid of snow until the city limits were passed, but from that point on to Multnomah Falls there was snow on every side except above, where the rain came from. In places strong winds had washed small patches of pavement dry by piling the beautiful white carpeting up into drifts, and here and there, notably, between Crown Point and the Figure "8," the pavement was coated with unadulterated ice. Several of the more daring motorists ventured as far as Horsetail Falls, where a tremendous volume of water charged down the abrupt cliff between great slabs of ice almost green in color. This was the most fascinating scenic wonder of the trip. Multnomah Falls being a close second with icicles on all of its borders. Between Multno mah and Horsetail Falls H. S. Rode- baugh, salesmanager of the Mitchell. Lewis & Staver Company, who led the procession by an hour in order to give The Oregonian staff photographer a chance to get snow and ice pictures, sent the powerful Mitchell Six through tall drifts of crusted snow that clicked the running boards at many Intervals. Highway In Grip of Winter. The highway appeared to be in the grip of Winter. Not only was the pavement blanketed serenely with its fresh load of white that had fallen only the night before, but all of the hills on either, side of the river car ried the same decoration, and the river was cluttered with floes of Ice, ocean bound. Long strips of ice pointed down from the rocks along the highway shores, and all of the waterfalls were labor ing under the demands of full produc tion. Many have said that the Colum bia River Highway is at ts best in the Winter time, when snow crowns the wondrous beauties on every hand, and there was no one among the party last Monday that even offered to con tradict this view. The dealers were good sports to go through with their tour despite handi caps of weather, but the unusual views I along the highway and the fun they had along the way more than repaid them for their effort in cutting through ice, snow and water. Dealers' Committee In Charge. The New Tear's tour was under the direction of a special dealers' commit tee c'omposed of A. C. Stevens, chair man; F. M. Leeston-Smith. E. N. Howe, E. C. Habel and W. S. Barnes. The cars assembled at Couch and Park streets at noon last Monday, and with a patrol wagon and hayseed band leading the pcocession paraded up Park street to Burnside, west to Sixteenth and Washington, down Washington to Third, along Third to Burnside, up Burnside to Broadway and thence over the Broadway bridge. The police patrol, a Studebaker hotel bus, was. manned by Jack Turner, of Ballou & Wright, dressed up like an honest-to-goodness Sheriff, C. C. Hofele as policeman. C. C. Hurley as Charlie Chaplin and Melvln Urfer as a bum. Mr. Hofele, Mr. Hurley and Mr. Urfer are connected with the Studebaker forces. Unnecessary Clothes Canse , "Arrest." During the run over the highway F. W. Vogler was "pinched" for wearing unnecessary clothes in the form of waits duck suit a&d straw bat; Del fiy- l-' W " -sif '"ill If . T ... . III. ..... rr-v III!) i v -V srst i-SS i Above At Left, Horsetail Falls as Klsht, Lower Multnomah Kails In Background. Wright was taken into custody for being sober on New Tear's day: D. C. Warren was arrested for using the in termediate gear on a hill that all other drivers made oa high gear, and Walter Miller, Mrs. E. C. Habel. Mrs. Arnold Cohen and a number of others were ar rested for speeding, etc. Later, at Becker's Hall, where the eating and dancing end of the programme was staged, the offenders were haled Into Kangaroo Court before A. S. Robinson and fined according to their degree of guilt. Most of the motorists drove as far up the highway as Multnomah Falls before returning to Becker's Hall, at Corbett. along about 3 o'clock, where basket lunches were unpacked. Hot coffee and "hot dogs" were served by the management. Dancing was enjoyed until 6 o'clock, when most of the Port landers motored back to the city. 4 V , 4 j. I v f I if 91 IBS & " III y 5fl rn : - ft imm Kt rr MR a. JAJIES F. CLAHKSON AT WHEEL OP NEW STIDEBAKER ' SERIES "IS." '' ". 1 -.i.KT.ti . 7s 1 1 Tbey Looked Winter Garb. jut Last Monday With Bum Blocka of lee on Each Borden at Below 'Mitchell Six In Deep Snow, With Oneontn Gorge la the voting the occasion an affair long to be remembered. The invitations for the tour an nounced that overalls, jumpers and old clothing would be welcome, and many of the dealers responded. The coat of all nations worn by M. O. Wilklns, the hayseed outfit of Del Wright and the Jumper effects sported by Bert Ellng and R U. Peterson, were particularly fetching. GARFIELD LEADS IX ATJTOS Residents of Washington County Have Car for Each 8.2 Persons. ABERDEEN, Wash., Jan. . (Spe cial.) Grays Harbor County has one motor vehicle most of them automo biles for every 23 persons, according to figures received here from Secre PORTLAND WOMAN HAS HER THIRD AUTOMOBILE - i f v- . ' r.-Af&r.'i&. f 4 X' nu I J f Y ., ' ...-.-:. tar" ' .. ..... ' t- -f - 3 r.v rr . . .t. j- "x , -.. .".r. ... ... J- ..." -jp - i I y.' f i V 4 tary of State I. M. Howell. He says there are 2003 licensed automobiles, trucks and motorcycles in the county for Its 46.384 people. Garfield County leads In the number of machines per capita, according to the Secretary of State's figures, that county having one motor vehicle for every. 92 persons. In Wahkiakum County one machine serves 126 people, the county having but 2S motor ve hicles. Prices Go Up $100. The Franklin Automobile Company. Syracuse. N. T.. has notified all Franklin dealers that, effective March 1. 1917. the prices of all models In cluded In the Franklin line will be in creased $100 each. Read The Oregonian classified ads. OF SAME MAKE. f. 4 - . 1 - c YOUTH AND AGE III TOUR COMPETITION Chalmers Parties Travel California for Winter, Keeping Trip Record. to BIG CAR IS ECONOMICAL Praise for Passage) of Bonds and Decision to Improve Highways . Further Is Given by Motor ists on Their Arrival. Two motoring parties In Chalmers cars, one of them driven by a 13-year-old boy, and showing a remarkable record for high-gear work over twist ing mountain grades, as well as im proved boulevards, passed through this city recently bound for Southern Cali fornia. The travelers set out from Daven port. Waah and while both were anx ious to pass part of the Winter In Los Angeles, the trip Itself settled down to & spirited contest of careful driving between youth and age. The result was a toss-up unless the car driven by the boy be given a handicap for his lack of experience. Although both wre Chalmers cars one was a 1916 five-passenger, while the other was a new seven-passenger model. The former was driven by H. Kucks. a prominent wheat rancher of Palouse County, while the car driven by the boy belonged to his father, A. J. Field, a Davenport merchant. While the performance of the two cars as far as San Francisco was about on a par It is remarkable that, if any thing, the larger car shaded its run ning mate in point of economy as too ra In the following data: Seven passenger car used 2184 miles, 147 gal lons of gasoline, 24 H quarts of water and 13 quarts of oil. The speedometer of the five-passenger Chalmers regis tered four extra miles, six extra gal lons of gasoline, four additional quarts of water and three more of oil. The seven-passenger car averaged 15 miles to a gallon of gasoline and car ried passengers and considerable lug gage. Although driven 2184 miles less than one mile was covered on low gear, hlle Intermediate was used on less than E0 miles during the entire tour. "When it was taken into considera tion that my boy Is only 13 years old and never drove a car outside of a small town before, it is some record,' said A. J. Field in an interview given out in San Francisco. "For the most part we found good highway and road conditions are being Improved all along the line. But the greatest incentive to roadway Improve ment In the Northwest was the passing of the recent California election bonds. "It was known that bonds had been voted some time previous, but we of the Northwest watched with Interest the voice of the voters when this Hast 15,000,000 proposition was placed be fore the people in November. A defeat would have pronounced your work al ready done a failure. But passing the bonds with a landslide, as you did, showed the entire country where Cali fornia stands on the highway ques tion. I am happy to say it has pro duced a largs size good roads boom in the Northwest. MAXWELL IN CHANGE PACIFIC COAST DISTRICT DIVIDED I-VTO TWO ZOX'ES. W. J. of La Crosse Appointed Supervisor Northwest Territory. Com prising; Several States. With the recent promotion of T. J. Toner. ex-Pacific Coast supervisor of the Maxwell Motor Sales Corporation, to the position of director of sales, comes the announcement of important changes In the management of the Pa cific Coast branches in San Francisco and Portland. Mr. Toner has divided this district Into two sones. J. L. Justice has been made htad of the California lone, which comprises the States of Cali fornia. Arizona and Nevada, 'while W. J, LaCaase has been appointed super visor on the Northwestern sone com prising the states of Oregon, Wash ington, Idaho, Utah and Western Mon tana. For the past year Mr. Justice has been traveling over the California ter ritory under Mr. Toner and is well fitted for the new position. His good work has made for him an enviable record and he thoroughly understands Mr. Toner's methods. Mr. LaCasse has been largely Instru mental in placing the Maxwell car In front up North, and he has won for himself a position of high repute In the ssles department. E. E. Thompson, one of the live wires In the local zone, who acted as Mr. Toner's chief aide during the past year, will leave next week for Detroit to take up Important duties In the sales department of the factory. R. S. HCRD IS REMEMBERED Presentation Made by . Staff, With Horn Hee as Spokesman. All of the employes of the White Company's branch at Park and Couch streets recently got together and en- Announcing the Purchase Of the ' . U. S. L. Battery Service Station Formerly operated by Chanslor & Lyon, and Frank C. Riggs Battery Service, by J. W. VAN MATRE, Formerly Manager of Riggs' Service Station Now established at North Broadway, Chanslor & Lyon Building. The service which these stations formerly gave will be excelled, where possible. The good service which made them friends will be characteristic of the new station. Van Matre Storage Battery Co. 32 North Broadway, at Couch Street. Phone Broadway 45. thusiastically decided to present to R. S. Hurd, branch manager, who has been promoted to the position of Pacifio Coast sales manager, a token of the esteem In which he is held by every salesman and employe. The purchasing committee selected a pair of solid gold cuff links, set with, amethysts, which was presented to Mr. Hurd before his departure for San Francisco. The unique feature of the occasion was the presentation speech, of Horn Hee, the Chinese Janitor and utility man. who had been selected as spokesman. Horn Hee Is the oldest in point of service at the White Com pany's Portand branch and it was therefore deemed fitting that he be chosen for this pleasant duty. Horn had been drilled by various members of the sales force, who told him that he must "put it strong." Horn rose to the occasion and made for him self a name as a speaker. Incidentally, he broke the record for brevity, which is in some cases not recorded a fault among public speakers. "Missa Hurd." said he, holding out the gift, and then hastily pulling off his cap and placing it on one of the sales desks, "we sorry see you go. We likee you velly much." Then, de scribing an extended windmill move ment with both arms, he burst forth. In this peroration: "We want see you go way up top." And the applause was instant and spontaneous. MOKROX OX MAXWELL BOARD Directorship Is Obtained by Member of Many Big Concerns, sjohn C. Morron, president of the At las Portland Cement Company and dl- rORTI.AMl BOT Wllo SERVED ON BORDER GOES EAST TO ACCEPT PLACE WITH ALTO FACTORY. . A. E. Ilutterrield. Jr. A. E. Butterfield. Jr.. son of a member of the Portland firm of Butterfield Eros., left his Port land home recently for Racine, Wis., where he has accepted a position with the Mitchell Motors Company, granted on the recom mendation of H. W. Mitchell, of Mitchell, Lewis & Staver Com pany, Oregon dealers In the Mitchell car. Mr. Butterfield. who is IS years of age. formerly attended Lin coln and Jefferson hisn schools in Portland and served along: the Mexican border with the machine gun company. He is now working In the Mitchell shops at Racine with the idea of learning the au tomobile business from the very start and with the assurance of the Mitchell officials that the sooner he climbs to the top the better they will be suited. rector of a host of America's biggest enterprises, has recently been made a director of the Maxwell Motor Com pany, his appointment coming as a re sult of the retirement of Eugene Meyer, Jr. Aside from his vast experience In big enterprises Mr. Morron is also widely recognized as a genius for constructive work along Industrial lines. Prominent among Mr. Morron's directorships la his connection with the boards of the Baltimore & Ohio and the Chicago & Great Western railroads, the Guarantee Trust Company, of New York, the Inter-Continental Rubber Company anil the National Bank of the Republic, of Chicago, together with a trustee ship of the American Surety Company, of New York. GRAXT MOTOR IN XEW HOME Company Has Excellent Quarters at Cleveland, Now. 'The Grant Motor Car Corporation marks' the opening of its fourth year of growth, phenomenally rapid even for the automobile Industry, by removal from Flndlay. O., to Its new factory at Cleveland. The new Grant home is a model of modern efficient factory construction and arrangement. The length is 800 feet; the width 250 feet, and the floor space, 150.000 square feet. It has an annual capacity of 35,000 cars. So compact Is this plant that the four buildings comprising It are prac tically one. Realization of the fac tory's size may be gained by consid eration of the fact that, if the factory buildings were placed end to end. they would measure more than a third of a mile. Car Must Climb HIsli. Rocky Mountain motorists roust have cars that can climb to regular altitudes in order to get the fullest driving en joyment. William L. Bush, president of the First National Bank, at Idaho Springs, Colo., says that in the 5500 miles that he has driven his Kissel-Kar he frequently attains an elevation of 11.000 fet. t at r ' i li fkiyfr-hrtrtd iifci--ir1iiifiiinmriiiii,iiii-k i T ii nt ran nl nim t A