The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 41

FOURTH SECTION Hlje JbMer and Jeadjer1. This Sections Contains Automonile News, the Serial Story, General Weaver's Features DES MOINES, IOWA. SUNDAY MORNING. MARCH 28. 1000.

AN INTERESTING AND EN-TERTAINING STORY ABOUT THE MANUFACTURE OF THE MASON AUTOMOBILE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ONLY AUTOMOBILE FACTORY IN IOWA SEES mm Jpi 4 1 ii r' If I rVy 4-; 4 ft 1" V-j "7 vy m3 1 BKX MINTERNt Asnlstam General Manaifer. FHF.T) DESUFA'BKBO, Master Mechanic and Superintendent of Factor'. K. n. MASON, Foumler of nrlglnnl Mason Molxr Car Company.

A. B. SlUttVKK. Bin! Treasurrr and Gonoral Mitnugpr. WONDERFUL SUCCESS ACHIEVED ni llinnil nin in -runr-r- wrinn MASON FACTORY ENLARGED CAPACITY GREATLY INCREASED dl mmi UHii IN Inhtt itAno MORE EQUIPMENT 0 LARGE ADDITION MADE TO FORCE THE GREAT HILL CLIMBER-NO HILL TOO STEEP FOR THE MASON.

OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTORS WINS CHICAGO RELIABILITY RUN Limited Amount of Capital Stock Now Offered for Public Subscription To Secure Additional Capital Needed To Extend Business. Defeats Higher Priced Four Cylinder Cars Easily. The Mason Never Beaten By A Car Of Its Class. THE medal awarded to The Mason Car in the Chicago Reliability run of 1000 miles in ten days. First in the class of cars costing under $2,000.00 of greater and the same accredited horse power.

While Hiitomobile after automobile has been pltu'etl on the market during he hist half dozen years, it remained for Kes Moines men to produce the most practical and most, powerful moderate priced two cylinder car The Mason Automobile widely known as the Kill Climber. The problem that has confronted the makers of Tho Mason Automobile from the very first has not been how to Bell the jirorluet hut how to produce ears to meet the constantly growing demand. In spite of the utmost effort The Jdasou factory baa never been able to keep up with its orders, so popular has the ear become. i To carry on the manufacture of automobiles requires a large permanent investment in costly machinery and buildings. In addition a considerable working capital is needed for the purchase of materials, etc.

If the car is to ho a permanent success, nearly every part should be made in the home factory, under the dircot supervision and control of the automobile manufacturers. The original Mason Motor Car Company began business on the small capital of The following spring this capital was Increased to $60,000 which, however proved to be far from sufficient to provide the additional equipment and plant needed if enough cars were to be produced to supply the constantly growing demand for The Mason. A. B. SHRIVER REORGANIZES BUSINESS.

A. B. Shriver, a prominent banker, capitalist and land owner of Winterset, Iowa, became interested in The Mason ear and was convinced that the businesa offered a great opportunity for investment. In January of this year The Mason Automobile Company was incorporated under the Iowa laws with a capital stock of $250,000. This new company bonght the stock of The Mason Motor Car Co.

and at once assumed control of the business. Mr. A. Shriver was elected president, general manager and treasurer of the new company, while Ben Minium, a practical business man and capitalist, mis made assistant general manager. Of the cnpltal stock of the new Mason Automobile Company has been i a ft tJl.l -JI TT wniiiii7fliyn4i tx.LT T.y i 1 Mason Runabout Combination Mason Runabout, combination, baby tonneau, Beetleback or nimble seat, suitable for a professional or business man.

Two cylinder 24 H. P. water cooled cylinder, fj-in. bore, 5-in. stroke, cbain drive, Tim-ken roller bearings, wheel base 9 inches, liub expanding brakes, weight 1,750 nounds.

Price $1,250.00, F. O. B. Factory. In the winter of 190H the first Mason car whs completed by Fred Duesen-berg, who is still identified with the new concern.

Thiscnr immediately attracted a great amount of attention because of it's speed nd hill climbing qualities. Jn the following spring the Mason Motor Car was organized by E. R. Mason and Fannie- K. Mason with a capital stock of only $25,000.

A small factory was secured and the manufacture of the Mason Automobile was oVgun in Juno. In spite of the handicap of insufficient capital and tho fact that the car was entirely new, Twenty cars were sold during the summer of that year. PROVES A SUCCESS FIRST YEAR. Every car turned out the first year proved the best sort of an advertisement for the Mason and during the second year a total of loO cars were Bold. That year tho capital stock was increased to $50,000, which was still entirely in- adequate to meet the growing demands of the In 3908 the factory was able to manufacture approximately two hundred cars every one of which was sold well ia advance of completion.

"There is no ear on the American market among the so called medium priced four cylinder cars costing up to $2,000 that is I he superior of the Mason in efficiency, power, speed and easy riding on the rough, hilly, country roads:" aid F. Dtiesenberg to a Register and Lender reporter. "These facts have been proven in every public, contest in which the Mason has been entered." "From the first we have put forth every effort to make The Mason a motor car which is simplicity itself in construction and operation." continued Mr. Duesenberg. "We have put forth everf effort to produce a car with the ability 'to go and no matter how rough or hilly the roads may be.

The Masons can not only climb the steepest hills but it can go through mud, snow nd Baud that will stall other cars of higher price and gTeater horse power." The great feature of The Mason Automobile is its wonderfully efficient two cylinder engine, which mado the car a success from the start. The only changes made in this engine during the past three years have been to reduce the weight wherever possible by the substitution of aluminum for iron or steel and otherwise to make the motor more efficient nnd easy to handle." POWER OF MASON ENGINE ILLUSTRATED. "A practical illustration of the power and efficency of The Mason motor is afforded by an actual happening last year. The factory is situated near the Des Moines river. Because of high water the machine shop was deprived of power.

As usual the factory was far behind in its orders and a shut down would have meant a heavy loss. The problem was solved by setting up a regular Mason motor car engine and attaching a governor. This engine ran the entire machine shop for several days. The Mason Automobile has taken part in many public contests but it has never been defeated by a car in its own class. As early as 1007 The Mason won everal races in Milwaukee, and the same fall at tho Minnesota slate fair it defeated higher priced four cylinder cars, winning eery race Lu which it was entered.

MASON WINS AT CHICAGO. Winning first place in its class in the Chicago Reliability run in October, 1008, was one of The Mason's greatest achievements. In four days it ran 1,000 miles with a perfect road score and had the lowest consumption of gasoline of anv car in the event. After the run was finished, the two Mason cars entered in 'the contest were run through from Chicago to Ies Moines (402 miles), leaving Chicago early Sunday morning and reaching the destination at a late hour Sunday evening the actual running time being less than 16 hours. Tho entire run was made on high gear, the low gear not being used during the trip.

Last fail The Mason was again entered in the races at the Minnesota state fair and won everv race in which it competed. It broke the track record for fast time with the' exception of that made by two professional racing cars. At Waterloo, Nebraska in comnetitioa with many higher priced four cylinder ears The Mason won the two mile in the surprising time of 2 minutes, 26 eeonds. The only car able to beat that time waa a seventy horse power Thomas 6 cylinder car. The Mason is iustlv famous as "The Hill Climber." Time and time again it has easily climbed hilis at which higher priced four cylinder cars utterly failed.

To illustrate the powor of The Mason engine and the hill climbiug ability of The Mason car, an incline on a 50wr grade was erected at the Iowa state fair in 1908 The Mason repeatedly climbed thia incline from a standing atart. carrying as high as eight passengers. All other ears were invited to make the trip but only one or two were able to reach the top after taking a running start mm pun ae 1 1 ny iviewMrn, pui i vf iviiuimu, u. ti. nuu i m.

i. uliijt? itiuj, -lutvn and other capitalists. The balance of $100,000 Is now offered fur sale to the public. NEW BUILDINGS NEARING COMPLETION. A large addition to the factory Is at present in course of erection and a lnrg amount of new machinery haa been ordered which will not only greatly increase the capacity of the factory, but will reduce the cost of manufacturing the cars.

The present force of eighty meohanlca will be considerably enlarged. Thit season the plant will be able to turn out at least 600 cars. Over 400 cars have already been sold for delivery this year notwithstanding the fact that the season has just opened. At the present time the factory is over 70 cars behind in Us shipments, and dealers all over the country aro clamoring for Masons. The success of Tho Mason Automobile thus far is merely an indication of what the future is sure to bring forth.

It is today the easiest selling car on the market in spite of the fact that little If any advertising has yet Veu done. Every ca that lias been sold during the last three years has made friends for The Mason by the score. With a larger factory, more equipment, and an ample working capital the business will be in a position to go ahead rapidly. MANAGED BY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS MEN. Since (lie reorganization and after A.

B. Shriver Ben 11 intern, II. M. and D. ,1.

Pattee and others hnve become members of the firm, Mr. K. Mason former manager, owing to other interests which demand his attention, found it. necessary In lie relieved of the burden, has turned over tile management of affairs to tho officers of the new Mason Automobile Company, and is now under tin.) control nml management of these capable business men who will devote theii attention toward milking it one of the most profitable manufacturing concerns in tho west. The remaining unsold balance of the capital stock of The Mason Automobile This 1909 Model Mason The Hill Climber said to be the most perfect car in every respect, for all purpose service.

The car that shows greater speed and endurance than any two cylinder car in the market. Proven by demonstration and realized by constant and severe test. The Mason is a car that will meet all comers under the strictest rules, either loaded or stripped (2 cylinder, water cooled, 5 inch bore, 5 inch stroke; chain drive; Tim- DeSCriptlOn ken roller bearings; wheel base 9G inch; hub expanding brakes; weight 1850 pounds. Touring Car equipped with Splitdorf Magneto; Comnanv. in0.imo is now offered to the public nt rat.

100 a share. I tie. com. I lit! UII. a r.

jr. o. jj. actory. ia" 1 1, mi, .,1 nnnr the lowu laws which uriitects everv stock holdo holdo from any watering or selling stock at less man pur.

In subscrihinif for stock in The Mason Automobile Company, Bl MoilK surpln and Towa people will not otilv secure a very profitable investment for ir funds but in addition will encourage the prowth of one of tho most pmmi iromisin at nion'-. What the Mason Has Done in Competition With Other Cars oinntu in tt tntp Kverv anlo of a Mason oar means thr will be kept in circulation at home which otherwise would be scut to nianuny turers in the east. The present immense automobile industry of Detroit, I il.illarl mwtlllil-, iltHTHII ntoti'lZ far constructed have been sold July 4, Mo.ue-Won ,,250 Class wnicn now irs ruipMPtviii'-in. lO i mvjipdb v. small war a few years ago.

With the proper encouragement from home invest For All Kara. The Mason Automobile Factory Is certain to mean much to the city ana -a tinifl toward nwkhig thin one of the most successful and pmmuuie Won Ohms three Second In free for nil three mile October, 1906 I.os nUle bill climb. ments in tho west. Alreadv man of the shrewde.it investors in Pes Moines have milwrri. (his stock" It is certain to par a good dividend ihis year and will grow i.

i i t.n...Kila CC! in value everv vear. MucKiioiuere in many oi me ooiui nuiimiu" doubled and tripled their original investment within a few years. So AutfUHt, 1907 iTlmkn rccoi'il bctwceti Kansaw Oltj nml Hcutci- 713 nitlca In 2S liour and 10 minute. August, 1907 Des MoImch Won nil emits In Itarne.v Oliirirbl meet October. 1907 Minnrapolis Only two-cyllndcr car to finNIi In Reliability run.

AiutiiNt, 10ON Des Slolnes Won mptithI nus at Anlo club meet. Aiijriivt, 1908 Oes Moines Made crfect score In Auto club run. Atituit, 1908 first place In Obis- It, 1,000 mile Reliability run. Dii'emlicr, 1908 Ies Moines Won and $2,000 da races of De Moines Auto club. Jiuiuory, 1909 San Antonio, Texas Won $1,250 clag race.

ever hud a more promising iurure inau ue hub jf -1- -f ha Vtft In Iowa, cars are in use in Boston, ixs Angeic Montana. Patterson, N. and many points in Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma. Kan-las, Nebraska and Texaa. Wherever The Mason is in use it has made an unprecedented success.

HOW THE MASON SELLS. In the fall of 1908 M. Shriver bonght six Mason cars which he, took to Texas with him to show land buyers hia Texas ands While there The Mason behaved with such good taste, climbing hills and making quick trips oyer hilly country roads that its fame became known for miles around, flo effective was this demonstration that the Cameron Antomobile Company of Dallas, Texas, after hearing of the wonderful demonstration by F. C. la.borne,.jn the presence Slaughter a.

hunt of a car. who telephoned to Mr. Cameron from 8wnS! t0 arrange fo? he agency without his ever seem the car, which he did andlso arranged for the delivery of fifty Mason cars then and there to be shipped a. fJt a9 they could be turned out. The Mason "XAnoZ Ja, among the hilla of rrery country where it is run than any other known car.

Kvery woo may ne imeremea in mo rv.iiiiia.nv ia Inxit. ii to visit the factory in h.i"rt ue hill cUmb. May SO, 190" Kansas Oltj" Won runabout nnd touring car clans race). Jnne 6, 190" Chicago Mado perfiHt wore In run. Juno 1907 Mllwaakoe Perfect score In ltcliabilily rait.

Aii(riiHt, 1B07 Mllwauke Won clus and $2,000 class AiiKust. 190" Illnanke Won two open enentts. Septum ber, 1907 Minnesota biate Fair Won two eyeuts. visit will convince novum- thai the Mason Automobile has a tjres The sale of the stock lias been placed in tho hands of Ml A. Ay one of the men who promoted the successful cemeni fi' recent t1 The Ktoek will be sold at par.

$100 a share. Applleat chm.1.1 ia to A. li. Shriver. 807 Fleming Building..