Tire Misguides: the Fallacy of Counts at Shows.
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We have never approved of the uses to which we have seen, show counts of tires put. We have no criticism to pass upon the accuracy of particular re
cords, connection with any specified show, but it is with regard to the alleged significance of such records thatwe have entered objection more than ()Me. The inconclusive practice leads nowhere.
This journal at all times seeks to keep users properly informed concerning facts which bear upon the employment of commercial motors or supplies of any kind. We have, therefore, to emphasize the fact that these so-called "tire cenSuses " at motor shows are, generally speaking, indications of the depth of the tire manufacturers' purses. The fatuity of the scheme should be obvious, and we desire to make it so, in order that it may be banished from the commercial side of* theqindustry, and that users may no longer be cajOled or deceived by it. We are not concerned with practices at private-car shows, and the foregoing references must not necessarily be taken to apply to them. The only parties who gain, from the system of special discounts or payments on the part of tire manufacturers to the end that a fleeting excess of pseudo-p-opulaxity may be shown, are the standholders. Their expenses are reduced, due to the struggle for publicity which at the moment obsesses the tire people That 'factor is the one of which we wish to apprise our readers.
Several of the older manufacturers have become thoroughly tired of these unbusinesslike proceedings, and we desire to help -the remainder to reach the conclusion that they will not lay themselves open to this process in future. years.
We hope that these brief references may open the.
eyes of many owners of utility vehicles who have been unaware of the facts. Statements and statistics about the numbers or percentages of tires on chassis and vehicles at any particular show are misleading. They do not indicate, correctly the popularity of any one or other tire. because the whole position of affairs is a matter of pit:chase. Any tire manufatturer may get to the top, in this fashion, in any particular year, if he be willing to bear the cost. We disapprove of this class of advertising,. chiefly because it is of misleading effect. We hope it will stop. Users should accept references to work done on the road, and satisfactory testimony is forthcoming in respect of practically every tire on the market. We are, accordingly, the more surprised that some of the tire manufacturers think it necessary to continue to " buy themselves in " at shows. It is not testimony of the right kind.
It is due to some makers of vehicles to state that they will not allow their own contracts and views to be affected by propositions of the kind.. As matters stand, however, counts at shows are vitiated by the factors which we have explained.