AUTO FIRMS RETICENT.

The New York Times
April 26, 1914

Silent on Decision Blaming Assemblers of Parts for Injuries.

Special to The New York Times.

DETROIT, Mich., April 25.—Automobile manufacturers here hesitated to express any opinion on the decision of the New York State Courts that a company which sells or assembles a car is liable for injuries resulting from the breaking of any parts, not the manufacturer of the parts.

They do not like to admit that they are sending out merely assembled cars.  They are supposed to be manufacturers, not assemblers.  Those who do make all, or almost all, of their cars agree with the court that an automobile manufacturer should be held responsible for a car he puts on the market under his own name.  He is advertising it as his, with distinctive features and patents of his own, and is guaranteeing it to the public, by inference if not specifically.  There are very few manufacturers, however, who make everything that goes into their cars.