1928-10-20 — Page 17

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CHRYSLER SPEED.

The "De Soto" Six.

To those motorists who have always admired the dash, the

speed and the mechanical perfec- tion of Chrysler-built automobiles, comes, with the advent of the new

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. MOTORING SUPPLEMENT.

FACT HUNTER.

Erskine's Hobby Is Words.

SHOES TO MOTOR CARS.

At his right hand, on a richly carved walnut desk, Albert Russel Desoto six, the opportunity to en- Erakine, president of the Stude- joy all of these motoring thrilla baker Corporation of America, in a low-priced automobile, accord-keeps a dictionary. ing to W., J. Benson, president of In his leisure moments he picks the Benson Motor Company, De-up his dictionary and opens it at Soto six dealers in San Francisco and reflects.

random. Word by word he reads,

and San Jose,

This is the unique diversion of one of the leading figures in the Američan automobile industry. He has been doing this for 85 years, acquiring a vocabulary that typl- fies his desire for accuracy, and his anxiety for the full facts of

"Facta,” he says, "are getting scarcer every day." It is on this basis of meticulous accuracy that he has grown from a struggling bookkeeper to a wealthy industrial leader.

"The thousands of people who havo visited our showrooms, both in San Francisco and San Jose during the last four weeks have been surprised at the number of costly features found on the De-overy case. Soto aix, which heretofore were unheard of on a car selling within several hundred dollars of its price cluse," Benson declared. In continuing, he said: "Our firm, like many other DeSoto

dealers throughout the country, signed the agreement to handle the new DeSoto several months before the car was announced and with no knowledge of ite specifications or mechanical features. The fact that the car was going to be manu factured by Walter P. Chrysler, admitted generally, to be the greatest automobile genius in the business to-day, was all that was necessary to know.

"

"Get all the facts" is his cry; but he gets things done, and done His staff of young quickly. executivea find it hard to keep pace with this man of 57 years: White hair and suspiciously rounding form suggest his age, while a ruddy complexion, twinkling eyes, and a spirited voice reveal the youthful spirit.

Family Ruined by War. Born of parents who had beeri impoverished by the Civil War, some-Erskine left school at 16, and began to sell shoes in a store al 78. 6d. per

"Although we expected thing exceptional, we hardly dar

ed expect the car we received. week. At 21 he was bookkeeper in The new DeSoto's many features a wholesale drug house, und-wo proved to be just as big a sur-years later 'revealed his facility for prise to us as they did to the gen-cost-cutting by demanding the eral public.

chance to keep two sets of books one-third more pay. This for meant working at least three alghts a holiday for three years,

At 27 he changed his position, of the and became chief clerk branch of a cotton company, and spent the following six years work. ing his way through the accounting

and studying department

tire

It was not reasonable to be lleve that the car could possibly offer such features as a perfectly developed high-compression motor, 'built by Chrysler, hydraulic four wheel brakes, rubber insulated en gine mountings, crankcase ventiln- tor, hydraulic shock absorbers, front and rear; alender-profile technical side of his job. Ife was radiator, new bowl-type lamps with beautiful cow! laraps and given supervision of the operations appointed general auditor, and was cowl bar all chromium plated, of 300 cotton gins at the age of 31.. arched window silhouettes, new

In 1904, when 33, Erskine be- airwing fenders, new charming came treasurer and director of the colour combinations, ele. These Yale Lock Co. Six years later he features and many others are the

was elected vice-president and principa) reasons for the tremen- | director of the Undefwood Type- dous reception and the flood of or-writer Co.; and in 1911 he went to ders that followed the initial show-the Studebaker Corporation as tren- ing of the new DeSoto six," Ben-surer, director, and member of the son concluded.

executive committee.

So, all he had learnt of costing REMEMBER THESE. and efficiency in the production of chemicals and cotton, of locks and Hints to Ensure Safer typewriters, he applied to motor

cara,

Driving.

Studebaker and Erskine servico men mass on the following hints-to- owners of those cars in particular, i and motorists in general.

Six months after he entered the Studebaker organisation he hail re- duced the 4,000 bookkeeping forma to 1,500, and installed a new, and simpler accounting system, While Always watch the driver in he has reduced costs and increased front of you. In wet weather some profits, he has also brought bettor motorista will not lower the win- conditions for his men. He has dow on the driving side and so Instituted a pension system, paid cannot give the usual signals. bonuses, improved working condi- This is why you give the brakes a tions, and increased the average once over every fortnight.

In traffic watch for the nedestrian wage per man-hour nearly 300 per

who rushes blindly) cent.

from behind a row of parked cars. Remember, the onus is on you !! you knock down a pedestrian. If you see he is in doubt which way to move-you stop. It is the safest plan.

At the same time, ble methods have reduced from 600 to 800 man-

hours the time taken to produce a

CAT.

The genius of Erakine lies in his ability to understand figures, to co-ordinate them properly, and to get the most out of his men, say

those who know him.

Never question the traffic con- stable's decision. His job is to regulate Maybe ho makes some His paychology is speed and mistakes. But the average action. He prefers the Increased motorist makes more. volume of accomplishment and the When you are caught in soft occasional mistake arising from ground, have no chains, and decide immediate, speedy action rather to rely on lengths of rope tied than the lesser accomplishment round the tyres, always tie the and the frequent loss rosulting knot on the top of the tread. It from laziness and procrastination, gives the wheels more grip.

FORCE

4

OF

HABIT.

HONEST ABE

WHO USED TO "THROW

IN AN EXTRA MEASURE/

AT THE CORNER STORE.

GETS A JOB

AT THE GAS STATION

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1928.

JOHN I

THORNYCROFT

THE LEADING EXPONENTS

of

& C• LIMITED:

ECONOMICAL ROAD TRANSPORT

HONGKONG OFFICE,

UNION BUILDING, 5th. Floor.

THORNYCROFT

PASSENGER OMNIBUSËS

AND

MOTOR FREIGHT VEHICLES

Write ver and our representative will call.

Telephone Central 4831.

DEAL.DIRECT.

Ford

NEW FORDOR SEDAN

NOW ON DISPLAY

this model every detail has been carefully

I cnsidered, bar may to

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the most discriminating buyer.

It has a long, low, streamline body, with narrow belt moulding running completely around the car. The purchaser has the choice of several exquisite two-tone colour harmonies set off by bright touches of gleaming metal. The body has that rich finish and refined detail making it appear custom-built.

Above all, it is a wide, roomy, comfortable car. Deep lounge Boats upholstered in soft woollen cloth, with brown hairline stripe, in pleasing contrast with light, brown trimming. Arm rests are provided for the rear seats. Em- bossed cloth panelling around doors, and on seat in front compartment. Oval bow light and robe rail in rear compartment are added features.

There is also mechanical beauty that matches this outstanding beauty of line, colour, and finish.

Price at Hongkong': Hk. $1,990.00 including Bumpers and Spare Tyre."

55 to 65 miles, an hour 40-horse-power engine-quick acceleration - four-wheel brakes - independent emergency brakes-4 Houdaille,hydraulic shock absorbers-20 miles or better per gallon of gasoline-triplex shatter-proof glass windshield-electrie windshield wiper-low first cost, and low cost of upkeep-right hand drive-typical Ford ro- liability and long life.

Here is the car for owner-drivers, as well as for chauffeur driven.

Request the dealer to call at your home or office for o demonstration ride. You will then know the joy of riding and driving the new Ford Cars. AUTHORIZED DEALERS”.

WALLACE HARPER & CO., LTD., 745. Nathan Road, Mongkok, KOWLOON, HONGKONG.

Tel. K. 566.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY EXPORTS

COMPANY EXPORTS INC., SHANGHAI.