First came a 70 per cent duty
on practically all American cars and this was followed up by an almost
complete restriction of all American cars.
This prohibition will have the same effect as the English exclusion in
that it will stimulate the demand for the native French cars. Here we
get to one of the striking phases of the new industrial development of
immense concern to us. France has her eye on quantity output. Many signs
point to it.
When the war broke out, a certain young French engineer saw great
opportunity in shell making. He was immuned from military service, he
had a little capital of his own, and with Government aid he set to work.
Within four months he had built an enormous plant on the banks of the
Seine almost within the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. In six months he had
enlarged his capacity so that he was producing 15,000 shells a day. Last
summer he sent for the agent of a large American machinery company: "I
am going to make automobiles in series after the war." "In series" is
the French way of expressing quantity output.
"All right," said the American. "What can I do for you?"
"Simply this," said the Frenchman. "I wish to order sufficient
automatics to meet the demand when peace comes."
This is the spirit of the awakened French industry. I know of half a
dozen automobile and other producing establishments who are making plans
to manufacture popular-priced cars when the war is over.
Pages:
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74