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About The Oregon daily journal. (Portland, Or.) 1902-1972 | View Entire Issue (March 21, 1920)
" HE OREGON SUNDAY . JOURNAL PORTLAND, SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 21, 1520. DURAN T: II ONE OF CITY'S DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS eossi - - - - - . . -m m m ASSERTS NEW SALESROOMS KM 111 ? L PUBLIC S DEMAND Flowery Puffs About Branch Man agers Are Taboo so ar as Chevrolet Makers Concerned. rfS J" aP"t 4,'' ill -' Officials of automobil. eompulM are coming to aee the value of what la known aa "newa" regarding the operation of their motor cara In the market and on the highway of the country and are placing leae and less confidence in the flowery dis course sometimes published ty papers in their automobile ioctlons. They are beginning to see that the public wants, news and that reader Interest is the main thins in setting out a newspaper. Sixteen lines on the way the service manager of the ' Mysterious Six handles his engine troubles la far more interesting in a story than what the sales manager or the dealer In the same oar thinks of the fine finish and luxurious up- hclstery of the same ear. Meaningless automobile publicity Is taboo with R. C. Durant. vice president and sal an manager -of the Chevrolet In terests on the Pacific coast. As a result, Durant has Issued orders prohibiting the use of "hot air" publicity by Chevrolet dealers and branch managers. "What, does the prospective automo bile buyer rare what John Doe, dletrlbu- tor of the Gazump Eight Bays about his car?" says Durant. "When a man la In the market for an automobile he doesn't go by what auto mobile dealers say about their cars In the 'John Doe Says Columns.' " Durant says that when a prospective buyer wants to know what a dealer thinks of a car, he will get in touch with that dealer and listen to a salesman, but he will never swallow the flowery talk In the papers. Durant has Rone so far as to instruct his branch managers not to say anything for publication In the nature of hlRhly colored boosting of the Chevrolet line. He gives as his reason for this, the fact that the com pany Is selling the Chevrolet product and not the personalities of branch managers. USES NHS TO ADVERTISE AUTOS Haynes Automobile Co. Produces Film to Show Processes of ' Car Construction. To supplement Ita advertising in foreign fields, and to give the automobile-buying public of other coun tries a vivid, realistic picture of the accuracy of workmanship in the con struction of all types of cars, as well aa to demonstrate, by means of road tests aad endurance feats, the rug gednesa and extreme roadabillty of American automobiles, the Haynes Automobile company, Kokomo. Ind.. has engaged In the production of a complete motion picture film. This film will depict all the various details and processes of construction, droporRing, automatic gear-cutting, motor testing, metallurgical Inspection. motor and chassis assembly, multiple drilling, aluminum crank case milling, body finishing and upholstering, and finally the actual selling of the cars in the showrooms throughout the coun try. An entire staff of motion plctnre men from the Universal Film Manufacturing company. New York city, including the well known director. Harry Kraser. two camera men headed by Harry Forbes, and a crew of electricians, with hun dreds of feet of cable, flood lights and other necessary paraphernalia, have been busy at the factory "shooting" plo ture of the different departments from all angles. One of the most Interesting parts of the motion picture will be made from an airplane to give the public a true and exact conception of the size and ex tent of an American factory. This film will be taken to nearly all of the European counties by Deonlde Barrere. special traveling export rep resentative for the Haynes company, where it will be shown to prominent automobile men tn private exhibitions, as well as on the screens of European motion picture houses. The film will also be released by the Universal com pany through the bureau of commercial economics In the United States. t Si fe ar ' 'V 1-mV- mm w - ' it. ' Z . ii i ahinc - IS 1 W s. I v it "t. Mil JS. J c' oJ m- ( ' i. ' "yrtt! i ii i i - ' ' tt - s y f jr Mi I : One of tbe most daogeraiif lotereeotlons tn the city, tbe point sUe' Morrison adeiot runs Into Waaliinjrton street near Twenty-first, baa seen more near accidents and real accidents ttmn any other Intersection tilth the Bame volume of traffic In the dty. Measures for the protection of pedestriani at thlg rpot ' may be made In the near fntnrc BDX CAR SHORTAGE HURTS AUTO TRADE Hundreds of Orders for Coast Concerns Delayed by Railroad Situation; Outlook Is Dark. One of the chief troublea with shipments of automobiles to the local market Is resulting from the short age of freight cars. Dealers find that there are cars at the' factories covered by their orders and ready to ship as soon as proper carriers can be obtained for them. Talk has been rife of using open freight cars. flat and gondolas, for the purpose, but on account of unsettled weather conditions this has not up to the present time been considered either practicable or safe. CABS FOB CB0P8 According to a report from the ninth Federal Reserve district, 0,000 box cars are needed to move what is left of last season's grain crop in the Northwest. Cars are not to be had, and there Is a corresponding delay In credit liquida tion, to say nothing of grain shortages at points not able to afford such short age. If this Is the condition as far as moving- the food supplies are concerned. what hope can be held out to automobile men for an early supply of care to move stored stocks of automobiles to the Port land field, is the query that is commonly heard on automobile row today. A car load of automobiles is, unfortunately, not as large as it sounds, and many cars are needed to move automobiles and trucks from the manufacturing centers to points of local consumption. BCSISES8 SLACKENS What effect this is going to have upon local concerns is resulting In a general slackening pf business due to lack of the product. The factories are protected because their output is all covered by orders and they are far behtnd In ship ments, dealers here point out. but those ordering cars are becoming fretful be cause of non-delivery and delayed ship ments. Shortage of csrs Is due to many things, two of the chief causes being a shortage of parts for building motor cars, felt at the central plants, and the shortage of transportation facilities, felt all over the country. Dealers here are watching with some Interest the first moves the railroads will make, now that they are again under private ownership, to clear the air and relieve the tension here in this market. BETTER ORDER CAR T W HI WAITING Fact Is That Foreign Demand Is Steady and Wait Would Be Just as Long Later. People in Portland who are wait ing for automobiles or who are thinking about buying cars are un duly alarmed regarding shipments to this field, and hesitate to put their orders in for cars for fear there will be an unreasonable delay. Some feel that more cars are going abroad than should be allowed to leave the United States In view of the great demand for them here. Those who really want cars should order with out delay. It is true that a good many cars are being sent to foreign countries monthly and that this In some measure affects the local supply, but it seems to be a mistake for consumers to feel that by waiting they will be in a better position to get prompt delivery later In the season. There la a demand abroad for Ameri can-made cars that Is alarming to the makers of British, French and Italian builders. They feel that American busi- I ness men are taking advantage of their impotent state economically to cash in on their home markets. They fail to see, however, that this is merely a ques tion of business competition and the devil take the hindmost. American manufacturers are, however, not as heartlessly exporting their wares abroad as many have been led to sup pose. This Is probably due to existing uncertainties of foreign exchange, how ever, than to a 100 per cent philanthropic endeavor to supply their fellow country men. In view of the heavy manufactur ing figures during the past year and the past two or three months, the export figures appended by no means show that exports have been heavy In this line of merchandise. In 1919 passenger automobile exports were 67.106 machines, valued at $73,642, 035, compared with 36,936, valued at 136,278,292 in 1918. A total of 16,467 trucks valued at $36,099,079 were- ex ported, compared with 10.308 valued at 626,814,952 in 1918. The department of commerce January figures show that the South American republics, Asia, Africa, and Mexico, had a trade balance against the United States of $220,437,983 for the month, and $665. 156,801 for seven months. The January balance against Europe was $356,155,889. ARE NOW OPEN Rubin Motor Co., Distributor of King Series, Moves to Splendid Headquarters on Broadway. The formal opening of the new salesrooms of the Rubin Motor Car company, local distributor for the King 8, throws one of the most fine ly appointed automobile buildings on the row open to the public and at the same time Introduces to the pub lic the new eerlea King for 1920. The building, situate near the ap proach to the Broadway bridge, was erected at a cost of $26,000. It is one story in height and contains the show rooms, offices, service department, used car department and parte department. all under separate heads and each oc cupylng its own quarters. A huge elec tric sign over the main entrance calls attention to the line carried by the com pany and adda a rather distinctive and metropolitan touch to the lower row. At the opening of the new showrooms the Rubin Motor Car company has on display four new models that make the new King series one of the new de partures in motor car building and fin ish. With a long history of achieve ment behind it, the company la keeping ably abreast of the times with their strides in engine construction and body design. The King dates Its history back for 26 years, from the time when Its first car appeared on the streets of- Detroit. the first motor car to cause the inhab itants of that now motor-ridden city to turn and look at the new phenome non. It has been one of tbe pioneers in many of the new features that have found their way again and again into motor design during the years following that Initial appearance, such as the en bloc motor, left side drive, center con trol and other items that have since be come parts of standard engine design, The King is now being Bold on the local market complete from stem to stern, or from radiator cap to tank. Five cord tires, bumper, spotlight, moto- meter, glass wind deflectors, clock, auto matic tire pump, and so forth, are in cluded and their sales Include 52 weeks of free service to their purchasers. Alignment of tires, battery testing and other little attentions that add to the enjoyment of the motorist form a part of this service. E. A. Scheu, general sales manager of the King factory at Detroit, is in the city for the formal opening of the new building and, according to the president of the local company, is well gratified at the showing the concern has made, both at the recent show and now at Its new quarters. Scheu will leave Port land late in the week with Rubin for a trip to Seattle to decide upon a loca tion In that city for the distribution of the King. It is probable that a simi lar site to the one now occupied here will be selected and a building along the same plan built to accommodate the branch there. Nathan Sable, former owner of the Sable garage, and several others since that time, opened up his new garage at East Forty-third and Hawthorne ave nue, March 12. In connection he will bave one of the largest repair shops In the city, with all the latest up to date machinery. A. Armstrong will have charge of the repair end of the busi ness, than which In capacity there are few better. .They will handle a full line of accessorlea When once open. Sable says, , they will be open day and night. O. O. Anderson expects to open hla new garage at" the corner of Twenty- third and Savier streets, soon. He has the place practically all rented now. H. A. Vorpaht'i new garage Is well on toward completion and he expects to be thoroughly settled by April 25. It stands so that It commands a particu larly good run from three " different streets, especially coming out Milwaukie avenue, and Is especially adaptable for window display. W. H. Bishop's new garage at 126-30 East Sixth street is about completed. except for the floors. He will open up for storage and general garage business about March 25. F. XQ. Fratht, owner of the Umatffla Avenue garage, SSI Umatilla avenue (Sellwood), la remodeling hla garage, making It all brick, putting In a new front and, In general, making it thor oughly modern and fireproof. New faces loomed up at the TX & ga rage, 817 Williams avenue. V. U Bar- num (not P. T.) and W. V. Bracoo an both young chaps who look and get around as If they meant business. They promised to be up at the next aasocia tion meeting. - Material Saving The New York postoffice department reported In 1900 a saving of 15 minutes a trip, as a result of Ita tests with motor vehicles, for collection of maU in the downtown districts. Faulty Lubrication Wastes Gasoline Motorists who do not think they are getting sufficient mileage from a gallon of gasoline should take care to lubricate their cars properly. Friction Is the greatest friend of the gas bill and the best decelerator in the world. One of the points forgotten by many motorists is the careful oiling of the valve-stems. On a -long drive or where the car is being used with regu larity, the oiling of these stems with a good grade of oil your garage man will advise you as to the best for your own particular make of car will make an appreciable addition to the miles per gal lon and will greatly Increase the effi ciency and pulling power of your motor. Don't Crank Engine Too Long, Warning Don't continue to crank your engine with the starting motor If it does not start after a few revolutions. Something is wrong with your ignition system or carburetor. Locate and remedy the trouble before again cranking Uie engine. Just turning the engtne over will not help you start, but It will exhaust? your battery If continued for any length, of time. "Cranklns Is fairly well versed in me chanical affairs, Isn't he?" "You're right. But there's one thing about his car he says he doesn't know." "What on earth can that ber "He doesn't know why he bought it." Farmers Adopt Trucks Farmers lead all others in adopting the truck for commercial purposes. Ac cording to figures compiled by the de partment of agriculture, there are about 7,000,000 farms In the country, while the number of motor trucks used on them Is about 80,000. Although 42 per cent of the farms are over 100 acres, most of the motor trucks are used on farms of lesser acreage where intensive farming Is done. Truck manufacturers estimate that 150,000 trucks will be made In 1920. iiiiiiuiiiiiiuiiiiiiuumiuiiiinniinmiuimnminiiii! Notice to Dealers! We are now allotting territory on the popular DAVIS SIX Wire or write at once for proposition J. H. Graham Motors Co. Tenth, Near Stark Broadway 3231 - Portland, Ore. IBmlib for Service --jhMiif 4."'- J Quality, experience and high manufacturing standards have built into the BELL "FOUR" the properties which insure long, econom ical service. We present in the "BELL FOUR," at gl55o f . o, b. Portland complete, a sturdy, light car, gas-saving, easy riding, good looking and with the endurance quali ties which produce unusual service with a final saving in real money. Endurance is the supreme test of a motor car. Call at our salesrooms or phone for a demonstration of the Bell "Four." Western States Motor Distributors for Oregon and Washington 30-32-34 GRAND AVE. N., PHONE EAST 8517 AT COUCH v PORTLAND, OREGON Qualify Goes ClearTfaxwgh la fho minds of men Who measrxro motor car merit closely there is un questionably a preference in favor of the Dart. It is a preference mat is based rrpoa very definite facts. The Dort has demonstrated In the daily Use of thousands of owners that it does perform unusually long and faithfully with but rare need of attention. It has established itself as a car that operates at a very low cost These are the results of rigid adher ence to proved engineering practice and of sound and skilled construction. Touring Car .,....$1035 Roadster $1035 Fourseason Sedan $1665 Fourseason Coupe $1665 F. O, B. Faotoiy Wire Wheel and spare tires extra Northwest Auto Co. . Alder at 18th St. Portland, Oregon POUT M OTQR. CAR. CQMTT Co. Hillsboro Transfer Hillsboro, Ore. Have Added Another GMC Truck To Their Fleet Another Truck Owner Is Convinced of GMC Quality Wentworth-Irwin, Inc. Second St, Corner Taylor, Portland, Oregon More Mileage Motorkool Oil Eaves 2S to (0 per cent faaolln. Remove carbon from cylinder Pr.venU carbon 5epoiU. tT?.?" "park tllsL , , M . Xjubricatlng- upper chamber par Prolongs uto of motor. , fectly. - Increase! power and mileaf. Produces higher motor efficiency. MONEY BACK GUARANTEE PACIFIC MOTORKOOL OIL CO 202 Broadway at Taylor Phone Main 90 ; CMt A(bU WseteA la Oreroi and TTMblBftoa