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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (May 8, 1921)
MAY 8, 1921 FORD STAGES DIZZY months. including all seasons, the operating expense of the police mo torcycle in use in that city totaled only J140, or an average of 1 cent per mile. The machine is still in per fect condition and capable of 76 mile3 per hour. In New York city, where 300 machines are in constant use, tne motorcycle corps of the police de partment gave the city a net profit of (481.662 for .a period of nine months from February 1, to October 1, 1920. This was after all operating expense", Including salaries of the drivers, had been deducted from the total fines imposed, which reached the astound ing figure of $757,960. The saving to the metropolis in terms of crime pre vented, lives saved through suppres sion of recklessness, etc., is inestim able. OVERLAND FACTORY I m April Turnover Represents Frank C. Rlggs Back After Visit to Toledo. Millions of Dollars. SURPLUS IS $8,000,000 MODELS NOT CHANGED MORRIS AGKXT FOR AXM2RSOX THE SUNDAY OREGOMAN, PORTLAND, FlMGIflL COMEBACK INCREASING OUTPUT lm T" A. Monthly Output Nearly 100,000 Cars, With 102,000 Infilled Orders Ipon Books. DETROIT. May 7. One of the most remarkable financial comebacks in the history of the automotive indus try has been staged by Henry Ford. Only a few weeks ago financial cir- State Distribution of Popular Car Has Been Arranged. The Anderson car will be distrib uted throughout this territory by J. D. Morris, who recently was ap pointed by the Anderson company to handle this state. Mr. Morris ha established headquarters at the cor ner of Fourteenth and Couch streets in the Speedwell Garage building. In order to furnish new Anderson cars with a favorable reception here' Mr. Morris has had the salesrooms Volume Production of the Overland Four Planned by Willys and Chrysler. That a note of optimism which spells- good business and a rapid re sumption of production on a norma! jcaie is "evident on all sides at Toledo, s the declaration of Frank C. Eiggs. PRESIDENT OF YELLOWSTONE PARK COMPANY VISITS PORTLAND. i i fs H. V. Child (left), lirad of the hits rompany that care for the need of Yellowstone park i Am-rnr, who Im MMMucintrd with .11 r. Child in a 150,000-acrc ranch in Montana, park visitors, and C. I cles in tiiis city were asserting posi tively that he would have to nego tiate a large loan, at the banks upon the hankers' own terms. No similar prediction ever was farther from the actual facts. Ford not only has been able to , avoid asking the hanks for new fi nancing, but lias just paid J25.0O0.000 in notes a few days before their ma turity. This wipes out the bank ob ligations. Besides paying the bank notes standing against him. Ford has discounted his April trade accept ances and last Thursday had $8,000, UOfl in cash. It is confidently believed that Ford will have ample cash to meet his trade acceptances for May, but If he is unable to clean them all up on the due dates, Detroit banks have agreed to extend him all the accommodation necessary for a brief period. In ad dition to meeting his bank loans and merchandise obligations, Ford paid his quarterly income tax installment before it was due. Cash Turnover Krniarkablr. The marvelous!- rapid turnover 'in cash in the Ford treasury for the past two months has been due in large measure to the fact that his traffic department has worked out a plan under which deliveries which formerly took 18 days now are made in eight days. Increased labor effi ciency has made it possible to oper ate the plant at approximate 80 per cent of the capacity with 60 per cent of the normal labor quota. Overhead costs have been cut to the bone. This process has gone so far as to dis continue some of the telephone trunk lines which ran into his factories. and surplus office equipment has been sold. The prices of all materials used the manufacture of Ford cars have been substantially reduced, and this has added a substantial sum in the aggregate to the profit on car sales. These manufacturing economies were what finally turned the scales, and they will permit continued large-scale operations without further financing except, perhaps, for temporary loans of comparatively small sums by De troit banks. Ford Fools Great Bnnkrrti. Tlie detailed story of Ford's nego tiations with New York bankers was told in Automotive Industries, an eastern automobile publication,, sev eral weeks ago. The facts did not coincide in any way with the stories printed- with so much gusto by the financial publications which seemed to take delight in picturing him as on the verge' of ruin. The only ne gotiations which actually were insti tuted wero on the npst friendly ba sis, ana ne could have had any sum he needed on reasonable interest terms without turning over the con trol of his factory to bank represen tatives. He pulled through, however, without any assistance With the Ford Motor company now hitting around 3300 daily, approxi mately 1.000.0O0 cars will be turned on. at the Highland Park factory this year, tiince the plant resumed opera tions in February there has been steady increase in production, and two weeks ago Ford officials an nounced that the company at that time was putting out above 3000 cars. It is the intention of Ford officials to continue to increase the output until the plant capacity of more than 4000 daily is reached. Infilled Orders 102,010 Cars. It was announced at the Ford of fice this week that the company now has IOL',000 unfilled orders for auto mobiles on its oooks. ' The plant built SO.000 cars in March, and the April output was close to 100.000. Actual sales In the domestic market in Jan uary were 57.1'08 automobiles and 113S tractors, according to official an nouncement. In February 63,603 cars were sold and 1932 tractors. In March the sales were S7.221 cars and 4708 tractors. The April sales, according to the announcement, gave promise of being considerably above those of March. They will be announced with in a few days. Ford normal production prior to the shut down December'23 was about 100.000 cars a month. In turning out this number approximately 52,000 employes were on the payroll. With the company averaging around 3300 daily today, and at least once within the last week having reached prac tically 3500, there are but 32,000 men employed. refinished and is arranging for a large supply of parts with which to care for Anderson owners. Morris has also been riven the southern Washington territory for the car. The Arlington garage. Nineteenth and Salmon streets, will handle the serv ice, it is stated. E. CHILD LEAVES CITY YELIjOWSTOXE park magnate OFF FOR HOME. . President of Park Transportation Company Takes Train, Leav ing Auto to Chauffeur. Harry W. Child, president of the Yellowstone fark Transportation company, president of the i euow stone Park Hotel company and joint owner of a modest 150,000-acrc Mon tana cattle and grain ranch, stopped over in Portland Wednesday on nis way from California. Mr. Child has been at his winter home at L.a Jolla. near San Diego. He was accompanied by Mrs. Child and by his ranch part ner, C. L. Anceney. Mr. Child made the trip in his seven passenger White 16-valve four. Not caring, however, to test the doubtful nleasnre of ririino- over some of the Washington highways, Mr. Child and ! struggling." he continued, his 'party entrained -t Portland for Helena, leaving his car to be piloted home by -his chauffeur, C. W. Horn. Mr. Child was eager to get home in order to begin -preparing his six ho tels for the influx of summer tourists which will n$ the park from its open ing on June 20 to the close of the season. The company of which Mr. Child is the head operates in the park a fleet of 50 White seven-passenger cars and 200 White 11-passenger buses. The buses are run through the park on a regular, railroad schedule, while the cars are for the use of those who de sire to make trips through the park. To direct the operations of the trans- portation company and the hotel com pany is Mr. Child's regular job. and, whenever he feels the need of a lit tle diversion he runs over to the "Fly ing D, near Bozeman. where he and his partner, Mr. Anceney. round up a trainload or so of their beef cattle for the Chicago market. Cent a Mile for Police Motorcjcles. Figures prepared from the records in the city, hall at Mason City. Iowa. reveal the, fact that for 14.000- miles of service, covering a Period of 13 Convertible Body .Invention. Invented by an English aviator, glass panels that slide into the body of an automobile enable a car to be converted from one of the open type into a limousine in about one minute. HKAD OK MITfHKI.I. MOTORS COM, PA.W IS PORTLAND VISITOR. Portland last week was the host to John Talnsh, general manager of the Mitchell Motors company of Ra cine. Wis., who is on a tour of the Pacific coast. Mr. Tainsh spent his time here conferring with. H. W. Mitchell of Mitchell. Lewis &"Staver. local- Mitohell. distributor,. -and study ing the local motor-car situation. vice-president and general manager cf Willys-Overland Pacific, Inc., Pacific coast distributors for the Overland and Willys-Knight, who was in Port land las-t week for a conference witn Harry Hays, manager of the Portland ' lirnnnh nf W lv.Over anrf Pnctfl,. Mr. Riggs arrived in Portland on liis return from a trip to the middle west, during which most of his time was spent in or around Toledo, with John N. Willys and other officials oi Ihe big Overland company. While i'V Toledo Mr. Riggs attended the big "Willys day" celebration, when over 600 Willys-Overland dealers were quests at the factory. Later he went on a tour of the principal cities en route between Kansas City. St. Louis and Chicago, with Willys-Overland otticials. conferring with dealers and distributors. "Business Is coming back to normal and the Overland company is rapidly resuming its position as one of the leading producers of the country," Mr. Riggr said, before leaving for Cali fornia. "The company's financial sit uation is excellent and before I left Toledo a programme for May produc tion at the factory had been worked out which means an increase of 30 per cent in employment and 50 per cent in car productit n over April. Be tween 8000 and 9000 men are now employed at the big factory." A conference with Mr. Willys brought the realization that Willys and Overland affairs are progressing definitely and steadily toward j planned and well-developed objective, Kiggs said. "The burden of readjustment under which all business enterprises1 are naturally nas fallen heavily upon the large and widely assorted group of Willys prop erties which was .lust in process of transformation when the cessation of business interfered. Preparations to lesume the projected development ! the enterprise, however, are going forward with increasing assurance. and tangible evidence to that effect may be expected in due course. "Conditions surrounding the busi ness of the Willys-Overland Co., at Toledo, have long been a matter for trade speculation. The silence of the company during the period while it was adjusting itself to changed con ditions has been altogether proper, but has given risj to stories of all kinds some of them wild and im probable, and others jurt plausible enough to appear to be tinged wit 'ruth. In the absence of official com ment or denial, some of these tales have been believed, with the result that a more or less misleading con ception of the real state of affairs has become current. - No Lack of Harmony. "Let it be said first of all that there is complete harmony between John N. Willys and Walter P. Chrys le Ids chief co-worker. Both, jointly and severally, confirm this statement. "The rehabilitation of the Willys Overland. Willys Corporation, and al iiec1 and associate companies, has been the big work on the minds of both men. and to it they have applied everything in the way of brains and ability with which nature has en dowed them. Chrysler has been re modeling the business structure, while Willys has been equally active in the financial end. Now he is reapplying himself to the merchandising problem, with which he is entirely at home, an 1 in connection witS which he has won notable victories in the years that ara past. "Backed by Chrysler's known abil ity as a great manufacturer, the com bination of these two men would seem to substantiate a programme on whicn they are both united, and to whicn botli are bending their best efforts, making It one of almost limitless pos RibMities for development. The merest outline of it dafinitely answers the question whether -the present four cylinder Overland io to be continued. ine answer, oicourse, is that it is not my io De continues., out tnat it is to be made on a volume basis under Chrysler's direction, and at production costs such as only a man of Chrys- er s capacity can secure. "Willys and Chrysler together sie lha.'. the future of !he concerns under their direction lies In giving the ut most of value that the great plants can produce, and in selling on a basil cf rigid economy. In short, the pro gramme means that Overland is to re assume its rightful position as one of the large producers, and that its man agement is to be unchanged a great manutacturer building the cars and great merchandiser disoosinir of them." Prices Reduced 600 to $900 . This Startling Reduction at once makes the Jordan the greatest dollar for dollar value oh the market It's the same Jordan car which has led in style, comfort econ omy, performance and service. Now it leads in price. , Quality has not only been main tained but improved. 24.1 miles per gallon Jordan's country -wide economy run average Compare all motor car prices as of these dates September 1920 Former Jordan Prices $2850 5-Pass. Silhouette $2850 Playboy $3950 Brougham $3950 5-Pass. Sedan $3075 7-Pass. Silhouette $4200 Custom Landaulet $4200 7-Pass. Sedan May 1921 ' Jordan Prices Today $2250 5-Pass. Silhouette $2250 Playboy $3300 Brougham $3300 5-Pass. Sedan $2475 7-Pass. Silhouette $3300 Custom Landaulet $3700 7-Pass. Sedan Jordan Motor Car Company, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio Mitchell, Lewis & Staver Co., Broadway at Everett, Portland, Or. him ifc Rickenbacker, flying ace of the American forces in the war with Germany and ex-race driver, will not drive in the 500-mile jaunt to be held at the Indianapolis motor speed way. Monday, May 30, but he just can't stay away and to save time he is go ing to fly from Oakland, Cal., to the race scene, planning to make the trip In two days. The first leg of the hop will be from Oakland to Omaha, Neb., and he plans to make the re mainder of the journey the following day, arriving in Indianapolis the day before the race to visit with his former competitors on the race coursa and his numerous friends. oVerlaxd factory starting Willys-Knight sunied at Production Re Toledo Plant. TOLEDO, May 7. With the return of Overland officials from the Boston automobile show indications appeared to point to a gradual increase in pro duction at' the Toledo plant of the Willys-Overland company. Vice-rres-ident Charles B. Wilson and Sales Manager A. C. Barber attended the WITT TI Rickenbacker Can't Stay Away. 1XDIANAPOUS. Captain Eddie CORDS and- FABRICS 20 Reduction We also carry a large assortment of other STANDARD MAKES at reduced prices. 30x3'2 Non-Skid, $13.95, 6000-mile guarantee. RESl show and met w'th the Willys New England dealers while there. It was the first opportunity the dealers have had to get acquainted with the new factory heads ani also put the fac tory men in touch with the eastern markets. Last week the first insue of the Willys News, tho factory' employes' paper, since the change In manage ment and since the "closed for In ventory" period last November was put out, betokening the gradual In crease in business In the plant here. Employes are being added to the pay roll and the production of Willys- Knight cars Is increasing. The plant schedule is now running heiwern 25 and it) cars dally. The output varlii with the demsmls from dealers. A schidule for Overland fours may be announced In the near future. Turn corners carefully. See Us Before You Buy MALCOM TIRE Broadway and Everett Street One of a Chain of Stores CO. Portland, Or. Republic Trucks GOOD TRUCKS GOOD OWNERS 'V - j; hp v 'Y-rfT Ttl, V. ' Vf , " . , -. X Hey! You fellers who want to move safely and fast just call the D. & R. TRANS FER CO. Reason They use 3 REPUBLIC TRUCKS. Roberts Motor Car Co., Inc. Largest Exclusive Truck Dealer in the Northwest Portland, Or.