Daily British Whig (1850), 22 Mar 1924, p. 11

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Ford News. Is the automobile a blessing to Canada? Are Canadians motor-mad, or is the automobile the most potent factor in maintaining prosperity in Canada, when the greater part of the remainder of the world is in the dumps of depression? With motor car registration in 1923 approximately 556,000, with sales of new cars in Canada estimat- ed at more than 80,000 for the year, and announcements of largely in- creased production schedules for 1924, it seems important to Mind light on the real status and signi- , ficance of the automobile. The steady increase in the use {and importance of the automobile has caused a difference of opinion , among strictly financial men. Among ¢ the leaders of the automotive indus- ATs - try, however, there is not only opti- mistic unanimity but that pasitive conviction which has led to costly extension of production facilities and to development of far-reaching mer- chandizing plans. This spirit of op- timism fs the same ag animated our empire builders, such as were the railroad pioneers of two or three generations ago. DOES PROSPERITY RIDE IN A CAR? The development of the automo- tive industry is only a logical se quence of the demand for transpor- tation facilities, which have always played a major part in opering up a land to its fullest possibilities, With vast unopened areas in our land of huge distances, proper rail- road service could not be a paying or a practical proposition. The need for transportation still remains and is of prime importance in changing these waste spaces into productive areas. No country can rise t full height of importance without adequate transportation, What is the truth? Let us apply such facts as are avallable to the solution of this Involved problem. Roughly speaking, the development of the automobile from a scientific novelty to an almost universal utili- ty has occurred in the last twenty- 'three years--1900 tq date, Has jt reduced or increased av- erage earning capacity, average wealth, average savings and average efficiency? In 1900, with a population of } 5,371,315 Canada listed 1,782,832 | gainfully employed. In 1911 with a of running short of gas. voir. Tt is easily installed; it Dealers! Bt open. Ford Owners ~ Attention} Ever run out of gas ? Most people have, and, of course, Just where you wouldn't want to. Drive, and let your wife or daughter drive, without the risk Instal a Remington Auxiliary Reser- fills itself when supply tank is filled; and it will feed to the engine on any grade. Price, complete, $8.50 For further description, or if you cannot obtain the Rem- - ington Auxiliary Reservoir from your dealer, write to BEAVER AUTO NECESSITIES, LIMITED 85 St. Lawrence Blvd., Montreal Exclusive agents for EMINGTO DICT EIN Automatically Ready Write for representation. Some districts are population of 7,206,000 the nation's gainfully employed totalled 2,723,.- 634. On the basis of the 1911 fig- ures, with an approximate popula- tion of 9,000,000 there are today ap- proximately 3,360,000 gainfully em- ployed. Canadian government fig- ures are not yet available and this figure is an estimate. In 1916 the estimated wealth of Canada was $19,000,000,000. Four years later, 1920, the estimated to- tal wealth leaped to $22,500,000,- 000. An increase of three and one- half billions of dollars! These figures prove that "average wealth" was Increased. Now let us look into savings to see whether the increased wealth has led to extravagant living. In 1901 savings bank deposits In Canada were $221,624,664, or $41 per capita, In 1923 they were $1,- 141,136,278, or $130 per-capita -- an increase of 215 per cent. And what has been the progress of general business during the motor age? Here are some more facts! In 1906 Canadian bank clearings totalled $3,997,969,665 and in 1923 they totalled $17,317,227,574--a 833 per cent. increase. Thin of that!" °° Between 1901 and 1921 the value of field crops increased from $194. 953,420 to $931,863,670; of live stocks from $268,651,154 to $766,- 720,000; of the fisheries from $25,- 737,154 to $49,241,339, and of mines and minerals from $65,797.- 911 tp $172,327,680. The products of manufacturers increased in value from $481,053,375 to $3,458,036,- 975; the wages paid from $113. 249,350 to $629,700,644, and the number of employees in manufactur- ing alone from 339,173 to 678,337. The chartered bank deposits in creased from $349,480,000 to $1,- 781,749,790, the total of fire insur- ance from $1,038,687,619¢0 $5,987,- 358,057 and of life insurance from $463,769,034 to $2,934,844,288, Thus the value of farm and ani- mal products has increased nearly fivefold; of live stock threefold; of mining products threefold; of manu- factures sevenfold; of wages five- fold; of bank deposits fivefold; of fire insurance sixfold; of life insur- anée sixfold, and of foreign trade sixfold. Since 1901 Canada has increased its export trade by 400 per cent. and now ranks fourth among the world's trading countries. It has to be re- membered also, that for nine years, the progress of the dominion was vi- tally affected by the war and the period of readjustment which fol- lowed. «Surely these facts should give us hope and confidence for the future and surely there is no soil more unfavorable for pessimists than that which is embraced within the botthdaries of Canada. The manufacture of automobiles and accessories alone supplies em- ployment to more than 15,000 peo- Does Prosperity--Gal Two-- -- ple in Canada directly, and indirect- ly to as many more engaged in the production of raw materfals for au- tomobiles; in transportation of this raw material and the finished pro. Endorsed By fn almost Fleet Owners business where fast service is delivery a h trucks have an enviable reputation. duct; in the construction and main- tenance of improved highways, and in countless other activities wholly or partially affected by the general use of automobiles Those who wonder at the con- tinued increase in the sale of auto- mobiles must realize that the big Increases are in cars selling for less than $1,000. These constitute more than 80 per cent. of the present mar- ket. Such cars are bought for their money-earning power, They earn their cost and keep. The smaller percentage of cars selling for more than $1,000 go into the hands of those who can afford those refinements and special fea- tures, which, while not essential to maximum utility, lend distinction ami social prestige in keeping with the financial status of their owners. The automobile industry could never have attained its present tre- mendous totals over a period of 23 years had not its product more than justified itself economically, Its proper use lengthens life, in- ereases efficiency, stimulates general ousiness and promotes the wealth and stability of the nation. UNIFIED BASIC RULES SOUGHT BY MOTORISTS While continental unification and standardization of basic traffic reg- ulations is one of the most laudable endeavors of the Ontario Motor League an official of the League points out that standardization o: minor regulations is neither prac- tical nor desirable, "Uniformity of courteous treat- ment accorded strangers when visit- ing cities and towns, provinces and states and the standardization of methods whereby rules peculiar to tourist is deserving of much more generally as yet" he declared. "When we advocate uniformity," he went on, "we do not propose hav- ing all traffic rules identical in all towns. Such a process is not only im- practical but undesirable, for the reason that only through experi- sive system be devised. Any motor- ist who tours and considers the sub- ject open-mindedly will admit that traffic regulation is evolutionary, and that to standardize it is to row- er its standard. "The sort of uniformity needed is not similarity of all rules, which is rarely possible, but unification of the basic ones and a standardized form of acquainting the tourist with the the main highway entrances to ah cities and towns there should be posted on signs of uniform size and character, brief but accurate In- structions as to the details of the community's rules. Parking regula tion signs should be placed where motorists are accustomed to look- ing for them, and fire hydrants should bear the local Imstructions for clearance. "Unless every city and town on the continent has streets of the same width, intersections of the same form, and conditions identi- cally the same, uniformity of traffic rules will never be possible. "In certain places it is obvious that it is more logical to pass around an officer in turning: 'In other places turns are better made in front of him. One-way streets and prohibited left turns vary with local conditions and cannot pe made identical throughout a city, let alone the continent, no matter how ideal such an arrangement might superfi- cially seem. Some of the most ideal arrangements in New York or Los Angeles might be grossly jmpracti- cal here and elsewhere. "There is a healthy rivalry among cities in an effort to arrive at some more practical means of speeding up traffic with safety, and of simplify- ing parking; and this should be en- couraged. But not at the expense of a community are made known to the | attention than has beem given it| mentation in traffie regulations can | anything approximating a progres- | peculiarities of the local rules. At} y 1G, 1 NS AL BE. 1% RT CERES A luxurious car at a moderate price Ll LOW in Cost and Upkeep --ayet elegant and comfortable NEV in every particular, yet strictly McLaughlin- Buick in character, the 1924 McLaughlin-Buick Master Four five-passenger Sedan fully exemplifies McLaughlin-Buick's policy of building greater satisfac- tion into its cars with each succeeding year. Moderately priced, everything that could be asked for is present-- fine appearance, comfort, power. Its new Fisher-built body, new frame, fenders and radiator, radiator filler- cap, aluminum running-boards, bumper --its powerful McLaughlin- Buick valve-in-head motor --its sturdy, proved Four-Wheel Brakes, all contribute to that greater measure of utility that the world has come to expect in Ask us about the G.M.A.C. Plan of De- ferred Pay- ments, "Canada's Standard Car", Local Distributors: c.130 Angrove's Auto Sales, 148 Sydenham Street. Dope BROTHERS - TYRPE-B SEDAN The Type-B Sedan could well stand as a concrete symbol of everything the name Dodge Brothers itself has come to represent. It is honestly and wisely built. It stands up under the sternest kind of service. It will serve long beyond the span of life usually allotted to & motor car. the motorist, or to his embrarrass- M. QBERNDORFFER ment. CLAREN! 'REET "The O.M.L. and 3ffillated clubs m OB 81 | take the position that no tourise should be obliged to worry as to what he should do im driving through a strange town. The {f- structions should be given him where and when he is accustomed to look for them. In other words, hs should be given everv opportunity to co-operate with thc aity in fol- lowing out its traffic plans. "Uniformity of conditions Is ut- terly impossible unless we are to redesign all cities alike. Therefore uniformity of local rules is equally impossible. When or where cars shall park will ever remain the privileges of the local authorities, just as laws differ among provinces and states and ordinances among cities. Time limitations or methods of parking should be shown by pro- j per signs. | j Te "But uaiformity of tourist educa- tion is essential to safety, and fur- thermore is practical. It is spreading among those cities which appreciate the fact that safety and simplifica- tion result from helping the strang- ibs onal _ | er. But the situation demands more _. AE than courtesy on the party of the - traffic officers. There should be » BUY ADVERTISED GOODS] | Ferran] The Sure Way To A Square Deal - "We are working toward this goa! & in the beMef that it will enable each city to adopt the regulations best suited to its needs without in any' way incon venlencing the tourist." i ¥

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