i
THE OREGON STATESMAN TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1920.
i'
WHY PRICE OF
CARS ADVANCES
TOLD BY CATES
Upward Trend in Cost and
Shortage of Production
Ruling Condition
MAKERS ARE UNCERTAIN
Remade Automobile May Lat
er in Year Become Ac
ceptable Substitute
Automobile prices are figures as
quoted today. Tomorrow tbey may
bo different. And the contemplat
ing buyer hiav rest assured the fu
ture figure will ba higher. No per
son familiar with existing condi
tions will attempt to deny that the
market chows a decidedly upwarl
trend in pripp and a scarcity of pro
duction, which, according to the law
of supply and demand, will cause
still further advance. v-
Manufaciurers cannot tell except
from day 4 to day what the cost of
construction will be, because of the
unstable conditions of the raw ma
terial market. As an example, a Sa
lem dealer who recently visited his
factory in the east tells of an in
stance which well Illustrates this
point. The quoted price of aluminum
on this particular day was $45, b;'.t
the manufacturer did not place his
order until the following morning,
when the price bad advanced to $60.
, Influences Are Many
There are so many different In
fluences bearing on the cost of pro
duction of the automobile that it is
almost a certainty automobiles will
continue to advance in price daring
the coming summer, and some manu
facturers have notified their distrib
utors that the list price cf cars from
THE NEW MONITOR SIX
The Ride
Salem Auto
225
Go
and
Repairs, Tires and Supplies
FLOYD E. RAMSDEN
387 Court St.
ALEM1TE LUBRICATOR
SALES and SERVICE
A Complete stock of all fittings and
compressors
Monty's
- Service
134 South Commercial
now on will be that existing on th3
car at the time the invoice is mad
out. Further assurance these fac
tories refuse to give. Under these
conditions acd in the face of freight
car shortages and labor troubles,
there is only one prospect for the
average automobile cost figure and
that is an advance.
The labor problem is a grave one.
We are indirectly reminded by the
trade press and directly reminded by
the factories that workmen engaged
in the automotive industries are de
manding and receiving larger wages,
are independent and exceedingly
hard to handle because of the prac
tically unlimited demand for me
chanics. "With the present high scale of
wages," says one factory salesman,"
workmen lay off at will., thus re
tarding the production of cars cor
respondingly." Jn order to stimulate production
and meet the demand made upon
them for cars a number of manu
facturers long since inaugurated a
bonus system whereby a given per
cent of a year's wages is annually
distributed among employes regard
less of punctuality. To increase at
tendance at work these bonuses for
1920 will he limited to those whj
are at work regularly. '
These are foremost among the
things that have necessitated suc
cessive advances In prices of moto
vehicles of every character, and the
things that will unquestionably keep
the prices soaring throughout the
present year at. least.
Auto Shortage C'ertarn
From first-hand Information
gleaned from various sources it may
be asserted without fear of success
ful contradition that there will be
a shortage of automobiles in 1920.
And this notwithstanding the Hercu
lean efforts of manufacturers to cop
with the situation. It Is safe to say
that o dealer handling standard
lines of pleasure cars will be able to
stock automobiles during the pres
ent year. On the contrary, some of
the most conservative Salem dealers
predict that 1920 will witness as
great an automobile shortage as 191?
it not even greater.
Present rnstibl conditions in this
- Ezy Car
Some cars are merely strong'
Some cars are merely symmet
rical Some cars are merely light,
Some cars are fairly light
Some cars are merely cheap
But
THE MONITOR SIX
meets every one of these re
quirements. See the Monitor
Six at the Auto Show and ask
ns to prove to yon every point
we claim
Exchange
State
Itimbia
Tire Shop
With a Smile
Street
-
gigantic industry work disadvan
tageous to the dealer. That por
tion of the always suspicious public
which may believe that statements
of pending ehortages are propaganda
to influence immediate buying are
badly mistaken in their conclusions.
It stands to reason that a dealer
would rather have a few more cars
than he can sell than a shortage of
deliveries. So long as a deiea has
automobiles he is in the field for
sales and sales meaji profits. But
when he has buyers and no automo
biles the dealer realizes nothing. It
is, then, plain that Buch statements
are not biased.
With innumerable "i-hortages,"
coupled with perplexing labor trou
bles the manufacturing field Is ex
periencing difficulty in coping with
its out-of-season orders, which nat
urally leads to the conclusion that
those persons who procrastinate In
placing their order for automobiles
may be obliged to continue the us?
of ancient models during the present
twelvemonth. The factories cannot
meet the demand for even should
their other troubles be solved their
combined capacity would be Inade
quate to satisfy the demands of mo
torists and would-be motorists.
l'wl 'ar Trade Cirowfnjr
And this brings up to the ued car
as an item of importance in the au
tomobile business field. Where be
fore the machine that had been run
perhaps 2000 miles was considered
an crphan and ignored In favor of
the new machine, the absence of the
latter permits the used car to as
sume a position on the pedestal of
desirable purchases. And with the
raise In importance of the used car,
is likely to come an advance in
prices, lending first dignity to the
transactions.
Salem dealers point out that it is
big advantage to buy from es
tablished automobile houses Instead
iot from the curb dealer, who is not
responsible, has no means of pul
ing a used car in condition and sell3
In order to get quick returns. It
is largely through the efforts of curb
Etoners the business of selling sec
ond hand cars has been discredited.
The legitimate dealers of Salem are
trying to correct this error by plac-
ng their reputations behind the
econds, thus elevating this phase of
their enterprise and proving to buy-.
rs they receive better values by pur
hasing from the dealers.
Ordinarily when a dealer handles
a used car he has no profit to lose.
He has made bis profit from tne
original transaction if he sold it.
or if he has accepted the machine in
trade it has been at a low price
which will not result in loss in re
selling. There are two things he
can do with it if worthless he can.
unk It and offer only the price it
is worth as such, or he can sell It
as a used car.
If the latter, his price Is based
on the cost of repairs that have put
the car in Condition. Many times
these are extensive. But he cannot
ask. a price too near the new auto
mobile figure. So the margin of
profit to the legitimate dealer in
used cars Is very small and the cus
tomer gets the benefit of all the ad
vantage. The curb broker can undersell be
cause he does not, put the' car in
condition. But the public is awak
ening to the value of a car judged
not by initial cost but by the condi
tion it is in p-echanlcally. And. with
the shortage of new cars, the re
made automobile may later In ths
year become an acceptable substi
tute.
MOTOR , COMPANY
TO OPEN BRANCH
Well Known Salem Concern
to Deal in 100 Per Cent
Ford Products
Peter Diedrich being compelled to
lave Stayton on account of his
wife's health, the Valley Motor com
pany has grasped the opportunity to
open a branch Ford and Fordson
home second to none in the stale
where every Ford owner can secure
genuine Ford Parts and reliable auto
accessories. A complete stock of
Goodyear and Portage tires will also
be carried.
Mr. Luther Stout who will be the
manager. Is an old resident of Stay
ton and for sometime has occupied
a responsible position as one of the
heads of the sales force of the Val
ley Motor company. Mr. Norman
Kennedy who will have charge of the
shop and service work. Is a young
man well fitted and qualified for
such responsibilities. He has most
creditably filled the position of as
sistant shop mechanic for Vick bro
thers and later with the Valley Mo
tor company. Mr. Robert Perlirh.
the road salesman, needs no intro
duction, having been closely identi
fied with the motor trade for years
and numbers his friends by legions.
The Valley Motor company have
leased the Peter Diedrich building
for a number of years and will re
model the salesroom and shop. Tho
equipment has already been received
and is ready to install. The entrance
of the Valley Motor company into
Stayton's business circles will be a
big factor and asset for the promis
ing city. The personnel of the Val
ley Motor company includes keen
energetic young men and recognized
live wires who have unbounded faith
in Oregon, especially the Willamette
valley and Marion county, and are
sure to assist Stayton in developing
Into the busy bustling city it should
be. Here's wishing good success to
the Valley Motor company In their
new Stayton branch.
.Mr. Multirox I'm aoing to send
you a bunch of orchids for your
birthday tomorrow. Shall 1 make it
one for each year
Miss Peacholow Then all the
girls will count them and find out
bow old 1 am. Better snd tne a
bwndred. They'll know I'm not that
oId.-Wasb.ln Eton Star. -v-'
DODGE CONCERN
POLICY INTACT
Letter Read at Chicago Meet
ing is Tribute to Late
President
Definite assurance that there
would be no change in the policies of
Dodge Brothers, Detroit automobile
manufacturers, as a result of the re
cent death of John F. Dodge, presi
dent, was given to dealers at a meet
ing in the Blackstone Hotel, Chicago
during the automobile show there
January 28. The assurance came in
the form of a letter addressed to the
dealers by Horace E. Dodge, now
at the head of the business, and
read at the meeting by George C.
Hubbs, assistant general sales man
ager. The letter follows: (
"I regret exceedingly that I can
not be with you this afternoon to
personally express my own and my
brother's apprecoiation of your work
during the past year, but on account
DRESS WARM AND
KEEP FEET DRY
Telia RheunuUlMm Sufferer fo Take
Salts and Get Rid of
Uric Add
Rheumatism Is no respecter of age.
sex, color or rapk. If not the most
dangerous of hiiman afflictions It is
one of the most painful. Those sub
ject to rheumatism, should eat less
meat ' dress as warmly as possible.
avoid any undue exposure and, above
all, drink lots of pure water.
Rheumatism Is caused by uric acid
which Is generated In the bowels and
absorbed Into the blood. It Is the
function of the kidneys to filter this
acid from the blood and cast it out in
the urine; the pores of the skin are
also a means of freeing the blood of
this Impurity. In damp and chilly,
cold weather the skin pores are
closed thus forcing the kidneys to
do double work, they become weak
and sluggish and fail to eliminate
this nric acid which keeps accumu
lating and circulating through the
system, eventually settling in the
Joints and muscles causing stiffness,
soreness and paid called rheumatism.
At the first tinge of rheumatism
get fom any pharmacy about four
ounces of Jad Salts; put a table-
spoonful in a glass of water and
drink before breakfast each morn
ing for a week. This is said to elim
inate uric acid by stimulating the
Sidneys to normal action, thus rid
ding the blood of these Impurities.
Jad Saitsls .inexpensive, harmless
and Is made-from the acid of grapes
and lemon Juice, combined with lith
ia and is used with excellent results
by thousand of folks who are sub
ject to rheumatism. Here you have
a pleasant, effervescent llthla-water
drink which ovecomes uric acid and
Is beneficial to your kidnevs as well.
THE
185-197 South
of my recent illness, I am obliged
to forego that pleasure.
"I do wish, however, to as strong
ly as possible impress upon each one
of you that my brother and I have
thoroughly appreciated the loyal
support you have given Dodge Broth
ers during the past year.
"the passing of my dear brother,
Mr. John F. Dodge, is to me, per
sonally, a loss so great that I hesi
tate to look forward to the years
without his companionship, our lives
having been, as you all know, prac
tically Inseparable since our child
hood. "I have the same pride In the ac
complishment of Dodge Brothers
that inspired him, and I feel that we
can pay no greater tribute to his
memory than to carry forward the
Service First--Courtesy First
Some Firms Put It This Way Courtesy First, Senrice Second
Our contention is that you cannot give senrice unless you extend courtesy.
Neither can you be courteousnnless you back it up with service.
The ordinary family does not buy an Automobile often.
They expect it to last a long time. 1
They want maximum comfort and satisfaction from the car they buy.
They want to protect their investment by purchasing from a dealer who has proper
SERVICE facilities to maintain the car on the road, and a dealer, that considers the owner's
satisfaction first. I
Our present owners depend upon our judgment and advice in Automobile matters they
bank on our advice because they KNOW we have the PARTS and the COURTESY.
The Public also know that in the Chevrolet they are getting value received "A SENSI
BLE CAR AT A SENSIBLE PRICE." ;
The price has not changed 490 Touring$873;53 f. o. b. our store or at our dealer's.
Salem Automobile Company
F. O. Delano A. L Eoff
SALEM DALLAS
Distributors Chevrolet and Scripps-Booth Cars and Republic Tires
Below is a list of our dealers that handle our line:
J. W. Berkey . . . : "Woodbum, Oregon
Service Garage Mt. Angel, Oregon .
Allen Brothers Silverton, Orgon
E. C. Titus Stayton, Oregon
Ilouck & Son Perrydale, Oregon
A. L. Bones Turner, Oregon
SENSIBLE SIX
TOURING CAR
On the firm foundation of its senrice record in the hands of upwards of 100,000
owners, rests the fact that this Oakland Sensible Six Touring model costs less to own,
.operate and maintain than any other automobile built
High Power and Light Weight As a fore
most example of the high-powered, light-weight
type of automobile construction now deeply
entrenched in popular favor, this Oakland en
ters its fifth year with all the features of its
power plant fully matured and confirmed, with
every chassis virtue completely verified and
with the stamp of broad approval set upon its
stout, roomy and convenient body.
By reason of the fact that the ratio of its
horsepower to the pounds of this car's weight
is 1 to 48, it acts with an alacrity and ease that
betokens inherent and lasting ability.
Efficient carburetion extracts the vutmost
power value of fuel and contributes to the effi
cient, reliable engine aetion. Records of 18 to
2."i miles on the gallon of gasoline are very com
mon. Oil is sparingly consumed. And due to
the fact that the 32x4 tires are large for the
weight of the car, even when loaded, mileages
of HKK) are quite usual, while records of 12,000
are not infrequent. Indeed, we are constantly
in receipt of letters from users of these Sensi
ble Six cars, stating tire mileage even more im
pressive. These gratifying records are perhaps
explained by the fact that these cars are over
due tire equipped in relation to the average
weight carried.
Model 34 B $1250 Salem
A lew of these models ready for immediately delivery. Order now for the next shipment will
v- be $1370, Salem.
American Automobile Co.
D. Samuel Prop. '
Commercial St- Salem
plans and aspirations which he and
myself had for the future of the
business.
"The business will be conducted
in the future exactly as it has been
In the past the same principles of
honor, honesty and Integrity that
dominated his life will continue to
dominate the business of Dodge
Brothers. There will be no change,
and you can safely make your plans
for the future in reliance upon the
same whole-hearted ' support of
Dodge Brothers that has been given
to you In the past."
'What did Cjolumbus prove iby
standing an egg on end?" That eggs
In his day were cheap enough to be
bandied carelessly." Waiblngtoa
Star.
OAK LA
Spacious and Kasy-Riding Careful design
has contrived a full 10G inches of body room
on the 112-inch whcelbase an extraordinary
proportion. Both front and rear seats are spa
cious. Ample leg-room is provided in both
compartments, making this model entirely com
fortable for tall people.
The comfort of this body is increased by the
deep upholstery in genuine leather, the slow
action of the long semi-elliptic springs and the
cushion effect produced by the large tires.
Set low by being mounted directly on the
chassis frame, the body assists the general
splendid balance of the whole car, nd hence
its ability to cover uneven roads and preserve
the equilibrium of passengers.
Endurance Close attention to the detailed
excellence of every item entering into the con
struction of this automobile has resulted in
its remarkable ability to retain its high effi
ciency for a long period and to run continuous
ly day after day with minimum need of adjust
ments or repairs.
This car represents the full development of
principles which have immensely influenced the
whole trend of automobile building in recent
times and fitted the passenger car to be a tre
mendous help to American families in this
period of vital transiortation needs.
.7
STOP TOBACCO
Stop tobacco for a month and set
how much better you feel. Ton ca
stop without suffering any incon
venience or feeling the usual cm.
ing. Simply get a box of Klcotol
from any druggist, use as directed
and the habit quits you. Tour
health will be better, your retistaae
ta disease will Increase and yon win '
cease to be a sclave to nicotine. R4
what Dr. Conner formerly of taa
Johns Hopkins Hospital, sayi about
the evil effects of tobaccon la aa ar
ticle soon to appear in this paper
Nk-oltol is dispensed by all good
druggists ;n thia city, especially by
D. J. Fry.
N D
Phone 3W