Evening Star Newspaper, January 27, 1929, Page 114

24 DECREASE IN VALUE OF PARTS INDUSTRY 24.4 Per Cent Drop Shown in Bodies and Other Auto Accessories. The Department of Commerce an- nounces that, according to data collected at the biennial census of manufacturers taken in 1928, the $&tablishments engaged primarily in the wmanufacture of motor vehicle bodies and motor sehicle parts reported products valued at $1,151,426,365, a de- crease of 24.4 per cent, as compared with $1,523,279,923 for 1925, the last Ppreceding census year. The principal items entering into the total for 1927 are as follows: 1,746,871 closed passenger car bodies, valued at $406,832,616; 69,661 open passen®er car bodi 10,033,827; 145,825 truck bodies, $27,405,063; gears (transmission, differ- ential, etc.), $57,477,522; 2,589,485 com- plete steering gear units, $17,926,266; frames, assembled and unassembled, $37,583,727; 12,872,366 wheels, $40,- 777,542; radiators (shells and cores), $38,723,899; 1,755,089 front axles, $16,853,268; 1,490,584 rear axles (com- plete), $64,584,255; bumpers and bump- erettes, $16,112,959; 20,794,961 rims, $13,931,569, and 3,198,764 shock absorb- ers, $12,499,522. = Classification Explained. The establishments classified in this industry are those engaged primarily in the manufacture (for sale as such or for transfer to motor vehicle manufac- turinz plants in other localities, but operated under the same ownership) of motor vehicle bodies, parts and assem- blies, not including complete chassis, engines, springs, tires, batteries, ignition apparatus and starting and lighting systems, which for census purposes are classified in other industries. Where bodies and parts are made and assem- bled into complete motor vehicles in the same plant the plant as a whole is classified in the motor vehicle industry proper. The statistics in this report do not, therefore, cover the manufacture of all motor vehicle bodies and parts, but only the classes specified which are made for replacement or for assembly into complete motor vehicles in other plants. In making use of the figures in this report it must be kept in mind that they include some duplication, due ot the fact that certain simple parts are sold by some manufacturers to other manufac- turers who install them in _more com- plex parts and assemblies. For example, some manufacturers of rear-axle hous- ings sell them to manufacturers of complete rear-axle assemblies and as a Tesult the value of the housings is dupli- cated in the total for the industry. 1,213 Plants Report. Or the 1,213 establishments reporting } 1927, 173 were located in New York, 1 in Ohio, 117 in Michigan, 113 | nig %x linots, 107 in California, 86 in Penn- g‘lganh, 69 in Indiana, 52 in Massa- setts, 49 in New Jersey, 43 in Wis- vonsin, 38 in Missourl, 27 in Connecti- eut, 22 in Towa, 20 in Minnesota, 19 in ‘Washington, 14 in Texas, 11 in Mary- Jand and the remaining 112 in 23 other States. In 1925 the industry was rep- resented by 1358 establishments, the decrease to 1,213 in 1927 being the net result of a loss of 280 and a gain of 135. ‘The losses were due to several causes, namely: (1) A considerable number of establishments which reported for 1925 ‘went out of business prior to 1927; (2) others ceased manufacturing and con- fined their work almost entirely to custom work and repairing; (3) some commodities other than motor vehicle bodies and motor vehicle parts as their principal products for 1927 and ‘were accordingly transferred to the ap- propriate industries; (4) a number were idle throughout the entire year 1927; (5) and some reported products valued at less than $5,000 for 1927. (No data are tabulated at the biennial censuses for establishments with products under $5,000 in value) The gains were ac- counted for in part by the transfer of establishments from other industries because of changes in the character of their priricipal products, and in part by the fact that some establishments re- ported for the first time at the present census. o DISTRIBUTION COST CUT IN 1929 SEEN Freer Movement of Commodities Between Urban and Rural Areas Held Basic Factor. Newspapers, good roads and modern trucks are in a natural alliance which may during 1929 contribute powerfully to a reduction of America’s high mer- chandise distribution costs, estimated at 60 per cent by most economists. That is the opinion of Paul W. Seiler, president of the General Motors Truck Co. “A year from now,” he said, “we may speak of 1929 as the year that wiped out distances, To do that is one of the greatest opportunities this year brings to American business. In fac- ing our part of the opportunity we of the truck industry find ourselves allied with the newspapers of this country by the very mutuality of our aims and plans.” Vastly freer movement of commodi- ties between city and what is still called “country” is a basic factor, Mr. Seiler contends, in any real reduction of the HOLDS STREET BRIDGING IS PART OF CITY PLAN U. 8. Auto Trade Board Opposes Regarding Improvement as Levy on Abutting Land. Advocating the bridging of streets at busy intersections as a matter of gen- eral aid to traffic, the street traffic com- mittee of the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce in its monthly bulletin, holds that improvements of this sort should be regarded as part of the regular city plan rather than as a levy on abutting property owners. Specific examples of such overpasses built by general financing are reported in St Louis, Los Angeles, Chicago, De- troit and New York. Progress in accident prevention is indicated in several of the large cities of the country by the motor fatality figures for the 12 months. CADILLAG LEADER SEES PROSPERITY | Business Opportunities of 1929 Will Exceed 1928, Fisher Believes. On the 1929 business horizon both opportunities and responsibilities appear on a larger scale than at any time in history, according to Lawrence P. Fisher, president of the Cadillac Motor Car Co. “A year ago we entered 1928 in a spirit of healthy confidence. Business growth during that year established many new peak records. It did more. It built up a reservoir of commercial resources from which American busi- ness may draw an even greater degree of progress during 1929. If sound man- agement prevails and if business re- mains free from excesses, prospects for igg: are far better than they were in “The business attitude of the country generally is one of confidence in the future. This in itself is a sound eco- Actual business at hand in the various departments of com- merce, industry and finance stands at record volume. General Review Reveals Prosperity. “While final figures for 1928 are not yet available, present indications are that the sound prosperity of the United States will be revealed in a gencral re- view of business conditions as marking a new peak in automobile output, out- put of steel, volume of building, increase in market values of securities, per capita wealth and an array of balance sheets and income accounts not equaled in any THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C.” JANUARY GAINS PREDICTED IN MOTOR SALES Momentum Is Expected to Continue During Year—Sev- eral Factors Cited. ~ “From all indications, the automobile industry enters upon the threshold of a new year, backed by a most optimis- tic outlook for a year of substantial progress and further development,” in the opinion of Thomas Mott, local Chandler distributor. “One only has to consider a resume of the present situation to_appreciate the logic of this prediction. For months the country as a whole has been en- joying a prosperous era of business development. Particularly is this ap- plicable to the automobile industry. “There is every reason to believe that this sales momentum will con- tinue in view of the progressive steps which are taking place with various companies. On all sides continued evi- dence of preparation is noticeable, to take care of a heavy, anticipated up- ward trend of sales. * Of course, even with many manufacturers planning big schedules, it is not logical to assume that they will attempt unwarranted mass production in excess of poten- tial possibilities. “Never in the history of the automo- bile business has it been in a better position to take care of large volume on an efficient and capacity produc- tion basis. One only Bas to stop and consider the rapid strides made by all companies in the betterment of their product; cars generally have been made more appealing in beauty, more ef- ficient in performance, and a consid- erably lowered scale of prices have been effected right down the line. “With general business moving along on a satisfactory basis, and with man- ufacturers fortifying themselves with improved products, intensive sales and advertising programs, it is safe to pre- dict that 1929 will show marked gains in sales over the year just passed. “The replacement field alone for 1929 will run approximately 2,000,000 cars. Introduction of new low-priced models will prove a stimulus for many to re- place the old car with a new one. Be- cause of the lowered investment, many families will be buying two or three cars who heretofore felt that only one car could be afforded. “Another and decidedly influential factor in creating a potential outlet for increased production for the new year is the definite acceptance of American- built cars in foreign markets. This heretofore restricted fleld has of late manifested a decided increase, and from all indications will absorb a sub- stantia] percentage of the motor car output during 1929.” previous year. “In the automobile industry alone the growth of domestic consumption and of exports abroad to produce a higher peak than even the h record of 1928. “All of these factors in our domestic business situation are favorable. There is, however, an ever- growing importance in the interrelation between the economic conditions of all the nations of the world. The present era of prosperity here was ushered in with the development of the motor car. Other nations are just beginning to realize its value, and use of motor cars abroad is now in the same phase as it was here 20 years ago. Nations Recovering Buying Power. “Nations recovering from effects of the World War are better off today at any time since the declaration of peace. They have greater buying power. Their increasing use of motor cars will add to their own prosperity and will further contribute to our own. “In the United States we have at hand the greatest amount of business resources and ilities in our his- tory. With these opportunities we have also the greatest responsibilities. “The year should be viewed not as a ‘cashing-in’ period, but as a time for laying the foundation for a period of many years of prosperity. The busi- ness principles which we employ this year will be a factor in the economical welfare of the next generation. It will be a time for a combination of great conservatism in management, with the most progresstve policy in our history, and the business world will be watch- ing the results.” 1y hly CITIES URGED TO MAKE USE OF WASTED SPACE Fills Between Retaining: Walls Cited as Instance of Valuable Area. In line with the elimination of waste in all forms of endeavor, as for in- stance the use of corn stalks in mak- ing paper, cities in the future must give more attention to the elimination of waste space. Of the several conditions hampering cities, now that the automobile has complicated transportation problems, one of the most in need of corrective measures is the elimination of “Chi- ness walls” accumulated through the construction of retaining walls and fills by electric and steam railroads. It has long been the custom in elevating rail- road tracks to build parallel retaining walls, filling in between them with earth, with accasional openings at street intersections. Traffic authorities point out that barriers formed by such construction are not in keeping with modern needs. Instances are cited to show that this space under the tracks can be utilized 60 per cent distribution’ costs with which American industry now wrestles. “There is a fundamental trend which none of us has yet calculatey gccurate- 1y, and which very few businesses have even started to use, toward tremendous expansion in the influence areas of cities. The growth and influence ex- pansion of newspapers illustrates that quite clearly, I think. ' “This trend is apt to be more sharp- 1y defined in 1929 than in any previous year, and perhaps than in any single year to come. - “Therein lies ripe opportunity for the manufacturer who would cut his distribution costs. And an equally golden opportunity for the great city merchandising establishments, which must find ways to increase their armies of customers in order to use the full wtentials of their remarkable organ- Ztions. “The merchandising and storage fa- cilities are in the cities. Outside the cities are vast new sales fields of peo- ple as modern minded and as modern pursed as any who live within formal city limits Communication is already established, influence is already cre- ated and functioning by progressive newspapers. “Cutting distances and time, getting full and free.flow of commodities be- tween the eat modern ‘inner city’ iang the rich ‘outer city’ is the final TWO MEN WILL HANG. #%8ad Men's” Gallows to Be Used in Wyoming. RAWLINS, Wyo. (#)—The gallows "wyoming's “bad men” in 1903 will hang a pair of con- used for the last of victed slayers this ye ear. Cnarles Aragon, Shoshone Indian, is sentenced to hang March 28 and Henry Morris May 1. ‘Wyoming's last hanging was eight to the advantage of both railroads and the general public. Such space, fre- quently valued at $250 or more per run- ni foot, can made available through simple and economical con- wuon of supporting columns and Three uses for this space are appar- ent: business, parking and automobile traffic arteries. 5 Auto Production Boosts Freights. During the year 1928, according to estimates recently compiled, consider- ably more than 4,000,000 carloads of MOST OF 1929 MODELS IN PYROXYLIN FINISH Popularity of Beiges, Browns and Blues Carried Over Into Auto Industry. ‘The automobile of 1929 as displayed in this year's show is particularly note- worthy because of the success with which the engineers and artists of the automotive industry have handled form, line and color, according to Howard Ketchum, Duco’s color director. Stream lines are more effective in their greater implication of speed. Wind beads on hood and cowl, V-shaped windshields, new windshield tops, streamline fenders, low running boards and low centers of gravity, proper curvature front and rear to reduce wind resistance to a mini- mum, contribute to the sweeping lines of the ensemble. Mouldings, doors and ornaments help to emphasize the effect that a wind tunnel might produce on a plastic clay model of an automobile. Practically all the cars are in pyroxy- lin finish. With a wider use of this has come from year to year a surer use of color. Some of this year's cars are distinguished for the succesful employ- ment of maroons. It is interesting to see that the popularity of beiges, browns and blues in the textile and silk industries has carried over into the automotive industry. Another interest- ing color accent on this year's cais is supplied by the free use of chronium and aluminum. Aluminum is used as a window reveal and molding accent. Chronium.plated wire wheels are in evidence. A modification of the use of chronjum effect for wire wheels, as shown on some cars, was the introduc- tion of a chronium argent lacquer. SEVEN BUYING REASONS. Packard Dealer Cites Advantages of New Car. Now is the time when every one is considering the purchase of a new au- tomobile, according to Oscar Coolican, local Packard dealer. There are seven reasons, at least, that can be advanced why the motorist ‘who already has a car will find it well worth while to buy a new one and why those who have not yet joined motor-~ dom’s ranks will find it especially worth while to do so this year. Here is what an investment in a 1929 motor car means: Lower operating cost, reduced upkeep expense, more power and speed, greater safety, a new standard of beauty and style, marvelous comfort and an ease of handling never before equaled. — Danger in High Rear Lights Seen. | ‘The Automobile Association of Eng- land has always recognized the danger of high rear lights and on one occasion the matter up with the mechan- ical transport section of the G. P. O. In the case of mail vans practical rea- sons were given for placing the rear lnmpls and number plates higher than usual. Harnessing Art Is “Lost.” “Farm hands can fix a spark plug, but have lost the knowledge of har- nessing horses and mules,” said Walter M. Pierce, ex-Governor of Oregon. “Of freight can be definitely traced to the manufacture and use of the automobile. SEE design and years ago, Tom Horn was the last “bad man.” 2 the 200 men we had on our pay roll this year only 1 harnessed a mule, and he climbed into the manger to do it.” THE LINCOLN with new refinements of coachwork Space No. 24, Main Floor at the Automobile Show Warfield Motor Co. 1130 Conn. Ave. Decatur 3110 LINCOLN MOTOR CARS EXCLUSIVELY o= al D. C. Naval Reserve When the U. S. destroyer Abel P. Upshur, training ship of the United States Naval Reserve Battalion of the District of Columbia, starts her series of three cruises this Summer for the purpose of training the reservists. it will have a new commanding officer. Lieut. Comdr. Mark L. Hersey, now command- ing the vessel, and who also is in- structor of the local battalion, has been ordered to the U. S. battleship Ten- nessee as navigator. He is to be re- lieved in May by Lieut. Comdr. Richard S. Field, now commanding the U. S. destroyer Bainbridge. Comdr. Hersey is one of the most popular regular officers ever assigned to the local organization, according to both officers and men. He has done everything possible to make their work easy, at the same time instilling into them the doctrines and discipline of the Navy. On the annual cruises he has given them as much liberty as the exigencies of the service would permit, and both officers and men express much regret that he is soon to leave. Comdr. Hersey has been assigned to the local Reserves since the latter part of 1927. Comdr, Field has had reservists serv- ing with him, as his vessel was among those designated to carry out for train- ing’ Reserve organizations which had not be};:n assigned a particular training ship. Records have been received at local Reserve headquarters of the assignment here of Joseph Rubin, chief carpenter’s mate, 1427 Morse street northeast. He came from the U. S. S. Niagara, and has put 16 years in the regular estab- lishment. Also there has been trans- ferred here Edward Hollard, officer’s cook, second class, 144 Randolph street, a 16-year man. His address was formerly Camp Parole, Md. William F. McGuinn, fireman, first class, four-year ex-service man, has been transferred here from the U. S. S. Dobbin. He lives at 907 Twenty-third street, while Berkley B. Schutt, aviation machinist’s mate, second class, 719 Sixth street southwest, came to the Reserve from the naval air station at Anacostia. He has put five years in the regulars. James E. Montague has been trans- ferred from the volunteers to the Fleet Naval Reserve and assigned to the 3d Division. He is a fireman, third class. The following have been discharged by reason of expiration of enlistment: William T. Smith, pharmacist'’s mate, second class, of the 2d Fleet Divi- on, and Francis J. Welch, quartermas- ter, second class, of the 1st Fleet Divi- sion. Ensign Robert Sanders, Fleet Aviation Reserve, having moved from this city to Brookline, Mass., he has been trans- ferred to the 1st Naval District, with headquarters at Boston. Chief Torpedoman Raymond C. Wil- son has been designated a master diver, in accordance with authority received from the Bureau of Navigation. He holds' the Navy Cross with gold star, the latter in lieu of a second Navy Cross, for his heroic work in connection with raising the S-51 and S-4. ‘The commandant of the Washington Navy Yard has received a gold star in lieu of a second Navy Cross, to be pre- sented to Joseph Eiben, chief torpedo- man, for work on the salvaging of the submarines S-51 and S-4. Plans are being made by the local Reserve bat- talion and the commandant of the Washington yard to present the gold star at the drill of the Reserve battalion at its armory tomorrow night. Elimination flight training for can- didates for aviation commissions will be conducted in the future at the avia- tion bases at Squantum, Mass.; Rock- away, Long Island; Great Lakes, Il and Sand Point, Wash. It is expected, according to a department announce- ment, that 50 per cent of those star ' MARINE CORPS NEWS l The report of the senior examining board which has been in session at corps headquarters, this city, for some weeks past, lists the following-named commissioned officers of the corps as having been found qualified for pro- motion to colonel: Lieut. Col Thomas Holcomb, Lieut. Col. Edward A. Greene and Lieut. Col. Edward B. Manwaring. For promotion to lieutenant colonel: Maj. Franklin B. Garrett, Maj. Samuel W. Bogan, Maj. Calvin B. Matthews and Maj. Albert E. Randall. Col. John T. Myers, president Marine examining board (junior), which has likewise been in session for some weeks past at corps headquarters, lists the following officers as having been found qualified for promotion to major: Capt. DeWitt Peck, Capt. Archie F. Howard, Capt. Raymond R. Wright and Capt. Pedro A. Del Valle. Capt. Ralph J. Mitchell will shortly be examined for ing this training will be eliminated prior to its completion. The quota for the District aviation division will be eight student officers, six seamen, second class, and two Marine Corps Reserve privates. ‘The requirements for an applicant for aviation training as just laid down are that he must be a citizen of the United States or its insular possessions; he must reside in the locality of an authorized Naval Reserve aviation divi- slon or squadron; he must have finished his university training, be a senior in a_university, or have the equivalent education which will make him eligible for ground school training under the local university regulatioms. Appli- cants must be qualified physically, both for enlistment and for flight. At the time of the commissioning the applicant must be not less than 18 nor more than 28 years of age. He should not have passed his twenty-seventh birthday when enlisted and ordered to flight training. Applicants must also certify their willingness to remain on active duty for one year after receiving commissions, or a total of 21 months, including training period. promotion to the grade of major by this same board. ‘The following officers of the corps having been found qualified by the jun- ior examining board, have been pro- moted from first lieutenant to captain: Harold W. Whitney, Claude A. Phillips, John W. Beckett, John Halla, Kenneth A. Inman and Lester N. Medaris. The following-named first lieutenants will shortly be examined for promotion to captaincy: Sherman L. Zea, Albert W. Paul and Frank B. Geottge. The junior board has examined and found the following second lieutenants qualified for promotion to first lieuten- ants: Arthur T. Mason, Veryl H. Dartt, Willlam_E. Burke, Robert S. Viall and James E. Kerr. The following second lieutenants will shortly be examined by the junior board fot promotion to first lieutenant: Reginald H. Ridgely, jr.; Caleb T. Bailey, Robert J. Straub, Clarence J. Chappell, jr.; John D. Muncie, Philip L. Thwing, Jesse C. Harmon and James B. McHugh. It is understood a large number of the commissioned officers in the grade of captain and first lieutenant, re- spectively, who have to their credit more than 30 years of combined serv- ice (enlisted and commissioned), and who are, respectively, far beyond the standard age for those in that grade, will in all probability take advantage of existing law which permits of their retirement after 30 years’ service. This class of commissioned officers includes many of the former most worthy non- commissioned officers of the corps who were promoted to commissioned rank during the World War (temporary), and who, having rendered valuable service as commissioned officers during the World War, were given permanent rank as such in 1921. The general stagnation which has held back reasonable promotion espe- cially in the grades of captain, first lieutenant and second lieutenant, re- spectively, will, it is understood, speedily relieved in the event that the personnel bill now under consideration by the Senate naval affairs committee be_enacted into law. Maj. Tom D. Barber, assistant paye master, now on duty in Nicaragua, has been ordered~ to Marine Barracks, Quantico, Va., for duty. First Lieut. Merrill B. Twining, be | corps. heretofore on duty at Marine Barracks, Pacific_Coast Torpedo Station, Key- port, Washington State, embarked on the United States Army transport Somme, which left San Francisco, Calif , January 25 for the East Coast of the United States via the Panama Canal Upon his arrival Lieut. Twining will re- port to the commanding general, East Coast Expeditionary Base, Quantico, Va. Chief Pay Clerk Fred S. Parsons, now on duty in Nicaragua, has been ordered to return to the United States and will report for duty at Marine Barracks, Quantico, Va. ‘The National Capital Detachment of the Maline Corps League took a vote during the past week on the proposi- tion that they participate in the presi- dential inauguration parade March 4: Capt. William G. Stott appointed Past Detachment Commandant Willard N. Hart chairman of a committee to make the arrangements. Rrig. Gen. Harry Lee, commandant of the barracks, Quantico, Va., who will command the naval contingent in the presidential inauguration parade March 4, will have charge of one regiment of sailors and one regiment of Marines, Detachments of Marines will arrive on March 3 from Quantico, Va., and will be joined by the Marines_attached to Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, under command of Lieut. Col. Jesse ¥. Dyer, while the Marines attached to Marine Barracks, Eighth and I strgets souil.- east, will be ccmmanded by Col. Theo- dore E. Backstrum, commandiag oficer of that post. The sailors will come from Hampton Roads, Va., while it is likely that quite a few detachments ot sailors from the Navy Yard, this city, will join them. ‘The annual divisional rifle and pistol competitions of the Marine Corps will take place this Spring, according to orders recently issued by Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, commandant of the ‘The competitions at Quantico will open for record target practice June 3, but practice firing will com- mence as soon as weather conditions permit at that post. Five divisional competitions will be held, the four in addition to Quantico being scheduled to take place at Parris Island, S. C.; San Diego, Calif.; Guantanamo Ba: Cuba, and Peiping, China, respectivel; ——— e e e e THE Lincolns which you will see at the Automo- bile Show this year are well worth your time and attention. For these cars represent all that human skill has achieved in the art of fine motor car making. Neither care nor expense is spared in making the Lincoln as nearly perfect a motor car LINCOLN COMES TO THE NINTH ANNUAL AUTOMOBILE SHOW COACHWORK WITH NEW NEW REFINEMENTS as it is possible to produce. These Lincolns are more beautiful than ever. The new body types are the work of the foremost custom coachmakers. They are distinguished by a new smartness, a new fleetness and grace. The lamps, the radiator, the exterior trimmings are chromium plated—which means tarnish-proof. The radiator, incidentally, is deeper, the fenders have an exhilarating sweep of line. The whole effect is swifter, lower, more eager. . . . And there are corresponding mechanical im- provements. The new rubber engine mounting, for example, which dampens motor vibration; the new all-enclosed six-brake system which brings you smoothly and instantly to a stop. . . . These and other refinements have been introduced quietly, iu accordance with Lincoln’s policy of constant improvement. There are no yearly models. Lincoln believes in building motor cars so fine, OF DESIGN so good to look upon that they are always smart. The Lincoln is precision-made from start to finish. More that 100 operations are kept within limits of 1/5000 of an inch—1/15 of a hair’s breadth. The motor is so accurately constructed that you do not even have to break it in. You can drive your Lincoln at normal speed the very first day you own it! And the Lincoln is an exceptionally safe car. Its center of gravity is low, so that it clings to the road. It has shatter-proof glass throughout. And it is tremendously strong. Every part is tested and retested many times. Every finished car that leaves the Lincoln factory represents approxi- mately 30,000 separate inspections. But perhaps the best understanding of the Lincoln as a fine motor car is to be gained from an examination of the car itself. You are cordially invited to the Lincoln exhibit at the Automobile Show in the Washington Auditorium, January 26th to February 2nd. And any Lincoln dealer will be glad to arrange a demonstration for you, without the slightest obligation to yourself. The Lincoln Motor Company, a division of the Ford Motor Company of Detroit. rue LINCOLN