Evening Star Newspaper, January 14, 1923, Page 60

BY THEODORE P. NOYES. Special Dispateh to The Star. NEW YORK, January 14.—The 1323 automobile show has come and gone. It closed last night in the full glory of the most successful exhidition ever held In this country. It leaves behind it 3 mark for other shows to strive for; & galaxy of shining cars, innumerable accessories, packed crowds and a huge volume of sales. Some idea of the magnitude of the enterprise can be gathered from the following figures: Four floors, each a city block in length and breadth, were necessary to stage It; there were seventy-nine complete car exhibitions and 336 ac- cessory exhibits; the highest priced car was $11.136, whilg the I t was $343; the total number of exhibitors was 416, an increase ever the frst show in 1900 of nearly 350. The exhibition was stimulating to the most hardened showgoer, at least the writer found it so, and he has been “covering” shows for a wmood many years point it may be mentioned that Washingtonians are particylarly fortunate in having within their borders an organization such as the Automotive Trade Asso- .clation. Except that it is bigger and more elaborate, the New York ex- hibit was {n no way better than our own Conventlon Hall shows. Many Cars on View. Entering the doors of the Grand Central Palace, on Lexington avenue, the visitor is confronted by a star- tling array of the “newest and beat of the American automobile manu- factyrer. The first floor is devoted exclusively to the complete cars. Here we find the Velle, Dort. Paige- Jewett, Packard, Durant, Wils St. Clair, ' Marmon, Jordan. Lincoln, Dedge, Nash, Maxwell, Willys-Knight, Overland, Studebaker, Cadillac, Hud- son, Lexington. Buick, Chevrolet, Chandler, Essox, Reo, Cleveland, Haynes, Hupmoble, ' Oldsmobile. Gardner, Chalmers, Oakland, Frank- 1in _and Peerless. If unable to find his favorite among these well known and prominent ex- amples of what a motor car should be, the visitor wenda his way upward te the mext floor, which, in reality, is another show. on the second floor were: Lo- comobile, La Fayetts, Rickenbacker, Stuts. Handley-Knight, Davis, Mitch- ell, Barley-Roamer, National, Elgin, Auburn, Ki f Apperson, Westcott, RA&V, Case, Pliot, McFarlan, H. C. 8, Mercer, Kisssl, Stearas, Columbia, m:x,n Moon, Cole, Stephens, Liberty and car. 8pace on the third floor was de- voted to the Stanley, Anderson, Pa ersen, Bouronville, Crawford, Ameri- can. ch & Lang. Noma, Courler, Premler, Dorrls, Gray and Hatfield. An Impressive Exhibit. ‘The fourth floor contained the Star, which had & large exhibit, and the aocessories, which have become such | l THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON D, OTORS and | NEW YORK AUTOMOBILE SHOW PROVES GREATEST IN HISTORY 79 Complete Car Exhibitions and 336 Ac- cessory Displays Included Every Known Machine—416 Firms Represented. a prominent part of the equipment of present-day automebiles. The impressions of a visitor at sueh a show are difficult to analyze. He i3 undoubtedly struck by the tre- mendous strides In the automobile industry; evidenced by the large dis- play and the completeness of the cars. He ls bewlidered by the large number of beautiful examples of the manufacturers' skill, especially if he is thinking of buying: but he is prob- ably impressed most of all at the opportunity of viewing and inspect- ing at close range at the same time practically all of the motor cars made In America. He ne longer doubts, after this inspection, that the United States leads the werld in the manufacture of automobiles, There were no drastic changes in motor car design or freak cars on display. The automobile manufac- turers are now refining, and not changing, their products. Each exhibitor showed his newest : model. and although there may not have Deen anything absolutely “new" about the particular car, it was the last word in comfort and refinement. Closed cars were prominent by their appearance, with one or two models in every booth. The tendency seems to be in lower and more com- pact lines, greater convenience and comfort for the motorist, coupled with the maximum utility. “Family Car” on Wane. Tha *family car,” while atill in evidence, seems to be on the wane. By this ft i{s meant the high, awk- ward and unwieldy product of a few vears ago. In which style was sacrificed for what was then termed comfort. Automobile manufacturers have progressed to the point where comfort and style sre synonymous, and have evolved body-and ‘seating arrangements so that the most exacting can ride with the maximum pleasure. Trunks and trunk racks are ap- pearing on every body, elose. open. The manufacturers have at last come to realize that the motoring publio uses its ear for somethin else than riding downtown and bacl and have provided means whereby it can carry its bag as it rides. The running board, the mudguards and the top of the hood are not places to store baggage when mak- ing trips. Every car should have a trunk containing removable suit- cases. and it looks as if every car would be in the near futuve. Tops; both open and clased, are showing the trend of the times Open tops are neater and more oo pacl. Closed tops are lighter and of improved appearance. In this connection the writer wishes to call attention to the growing tendency of manufacturers to disre- gard the motorist who desires te drive With his top lowered. There are undoubtedly many own- ers who keep the top of an open car up throughout the year, but there are many more who lower the top at every opportunity. Present models seem to have been constructed with the idea that the top was to stay raised, whether the owner wanted it 50 or not. On some cars it is impos- sible to lower it, while on others it can be lowered, but it is a day's work Down the Road. for about five men, and then, after this i3 accomplished. the folded top presents such an unsightly appear- ance that the owner gets hurriedly to work to get it up again. Better Engines Shown. Tops, in open models, should be made 30 that they can be lowered at the will of the owner, ing appearance. nt ti 35 per cent of the motorists in this country drive with tops up all year around is “bunk.” as any one who tours will testify. Body designs and seating arrange- ments Have been mentioned. They ehowed much improvement, and are designed so that the driver as well as passengers can be comfertable. st but not least by any means was the improvement noted in the various engines. Everything, it seems, has been taken care of, but progress is the watchwerd and many new wrinkles are making their ap- pearance. It is certaln that the owner of today is to be envied over]| can drive day in and day eut with Uittle er no sttantion te ‘nu moter; except, of course, oil and gaso while very few years have ll& when it was the question, “WIill I get there or not?" The various accessol on dugl-'! were too numerous te mentien. Sul fice to say that they supply every known convenience of the car driver and passenger. These ‘displays were elaborate in the extreme and the use. fulness of the articles was demons strated. A visit to the show. & view af the jammed humanity arou: the beoths: d of the thousands who Wi streaming In the doors seon o vinces the visitor that the autem bile industry is still on the upward march. ——— A Moral Victery. Prom Life. *““Was you here when I geot me little dig, in about his old manz" come when youse was ter.” Just his brothers of years ago. Now he!pickin’ yaself outa the gutt .The New Closed-Car Creation! . EFFECT ON GASOLINE. Bubber Tires Hold Important Re- latien to Fuel Comsumption. " JANUARY 14, 1923—PART 3. _ gas, mechanieal construction of ear, its condition, efficiency of driver, inflatien, | condition and size of {ires. speed, load and road conditions. age No question in motoring is mere in- teresting than the relationship between Fubber tires and gasoline consumption. ‘When a tire under load revolves there are two forces offering resistance—rall- ‘and the slip or give of , say Miller tire men, ‘have to be overcome by expenditure of 1. gasoline consumption de- st part upon grade ot ‘:&: Ure. lc:th ine. ponds in Looking bac! is apparent day. that every All these facts are variable and consequently cause s flue- tuation in gas consumption or tire mile- This and That. ward over the list of once famous cars that are no mere, it car has its Perhaps some of the cars named wi after astronomical bodies will break | cities of Japan, and if this is realized the spell by shining at night as well. ' {t will be of greatest promotive value FAR EAST AWAKENING TO CARS. IRVINE INFORMS EXPORT MEN Sales Will Grow., Commissioner Says. Chinese Wall Used as Automobile Road. Quicker Transportation Demanded. Japan is the leading motor market of the far east, in the epinion of W. L. Irvine, United States automotive trade commissioner, speaking to the export managers' conventien of the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce at the offices of the N. A. C. C, in New York. “Japan leads not only in consump- tion of motor vehicles, but in poten- tialitles," sald Mr. Irving. He also indicited that China is 3 promising field, as its walls can ‘be used for highways, and some of the wall ma- terial is now being used for road bullding. There are good roads in the Straits Settlements and Malay peninsula The success of automobjle business epends upen the condition of t and rubber markets, which are the main businesses of that region. Speaks on Fuel Problem. W. £ Culbertson, vice chalrman of thé United States Tariff Commission, addressed the meeting on the current tariff situation. Edward Driger, president of the Vacuum Oil Com- poke on the motor fuel probs oad. Representatives of igni- | tien and battery companies discussed | rendering service abread in these lines. | " *walter Drake, chairman of the [N. A. C. C. foreign trade eommittee, presided. Other members of this commitfec are H. M. Robins, Jay Rathbun. H. M. Phipps, J. D. Moeney, H. 8. Welch, G. F. Pauer, secretary. ‘Ameng the significant comments which Mr. Irvine made on far east markets were the following: Geed Progress in Japan. “The automobile has made goed progress In Japan and teday the ma- jority of the wealthy have their own cars. While the less fortunate are rid the motor vehicle is proving that net only ia it swifter than the leg-drawn two-wheeled carriage, but also mere jeeonomical In distancea in excess of a mile. | “There are in Japan today approxl. mately 10,000 usable motor vehicles, not including motor eveles. Of this figure about 25 per cent are trucks. More than one-third of these were iimported during the vears 1920 and 1921, As the life of a car is set at about five years, dealers estimate that replacements alone will call for 2,000 vehicles a year. Will Develop Suburb is now thought that hard-sur- faced highways will be completed thin two vears between the major | s and taxicabs for! to the use of automoti wvehicles. Cars will be used by business men to make the frequent trips necessary in the conduct of business, as well as commuting, while trucks will be em- ployed for the transportation 4 cargo, which Is now very slow b tween the cities because of the con- gestlon. “In the case of Tokio the new road is sure to bring about a suburban de- velopment, for the city is crowded. This will mean many new car owners and the introduction of passenger bus transportation, which makes fits ap- :;;?ll\'l!! :!0'1 vthulh ever conditions reximate anyt! like wh; anould be. i B China Utilizes Great Wall. “An idea of progress in ideas i the Celestial empire may be gained from the faot that serious considera- tion has been given to the proposition to build & molor road on top of (he great wall, or out of the malerial of the wall. The late city wall of Can- ton. which looked not unllke a secs tion of the great wall, now serves as a top surface for twenty-eight miles of highway, over which motor Buses and motor' cars are now run- ning. “At least 50 per cent of the cars which enter China today are pur- chased by natives. This is a tremen- dous gain. The ground work has been done and the way ls open for greater motor car sales. Hundreds of miles have been built within years. Straits Settlements Developing. “All business is suffering in the Straits Settlements and the Malay states, and the fact that soms cafs are being sold speaks well for the moter representation. “Cars and trucks are a real neces- sity in Malaya, az hundreds of es- tates and"mines are far removed from the railroad. “The poor business conditions hers are temporary. There are good roads in all parts of the country, and the automotive vehicle is assured of a steady future. “Tin and rubber quatations will be the best index of business conditions in this regien. as they are the two dominant preducts. Let's Took Around. Texas led all other states in_ the matter of road building in 1922, hav- ing added 933 miles during the year. The average for all states was 200 miles. Sometimes it is a2 good ides to stop planning what we're going to do just for a moment in order to contemplate what we have accom- plished. Five years of this sort of progress and traveling salesmen will will be the envy of all who know the joy of a good car and a goed road f new roads the past five Guarantee Buick Performance Buick authorized service guards Buick owners The Coupe-Sedan, a New Willys- Knight model that completes an en- tirely new line of seven cars, ingen- lously combining the cosy intimaey of tha Coupe and the convenlence of the Sedan in one original body creation! It seats five in fullest comfort. Doors front and rear give easy entrance and exit, unhampered by folding seata. Deeply cushioned, richly upholstered, and powsred with the one motor that improves with use—this mode] bas proved to be the year's greatest advance in fine-car design. In every medel of the entire New Willys-Knight line all the elements of the New Coupe- Sedan's outstanding quality are duplicated. everywhere against less-than-standard Buick .performance. i It maintains the fine qualities of dependability —the enduring and uniform transportation that is built into every Buick, by providing a genu- ine part to replace the original part whenever it e e _accident forces the need. WILLYS- KNIGHT R. McReynolds & Sons - Washington Distributors Sales and Service— 1423-25-27 L Street N.W. Genuine Buick factory-made parts alone can guarantee a continuance of Buick performance. BUICK MOTOR COMPANY, FLINT, MICHIGAN . Corporation Division of General Motors Pioneer Builders of Valve-in-Head Motor Cars Branches in All Prineipal Cities — Dealors Everywhere \ COMPANY, WASHINGTON BRANCH 14th and L Streets N.W. C. C. WATERS & SON * ‘Gaithersburg, Md. ROSSLYN MOTOR CO. Rosslyn, Va. g F‘:u. s 18 SEDAN 7-pess. . . $1995 COUPE Sopass. . . $1605 AR pricas 1. & b Tolade D-48-35-NP BUICK MOTOR STANLEY H. HORNER. 1018 14th St. N.W. Phoue Main 5306 OREM. MOTOR CO. Waldorf, Md. will build them LTIt b 3 L A e