The Detroit times., 1914-01-16
RUFFO AMAZED
AT GIGANTIC
FORD FACTORY
Famous Baritone, Once Iron.
Worker, Inspects Auto Plant
In Wide-Eyed Wonder
FEEL LIKE IMBECILE,"
HE SAYS AFTER TRIP
Compares Henry Ford to "The
Old Romans" and Invites
Him to Concert

Two porters and u chambermaid al
lowed their work to keep them as
near as possible TO the door or room
Sld, Hotel Pontchartrain, Thursday
AFTERNOON. within, Titta Ruffo was
giving concert for his own edifca.
tlon aud amusement. while he awaited
tie arrival OF an automobile 10 carry
him 10 the Ford plant. The three en-
ployes heard about 50 worth OF the
famous baritone's voice for nothing.
Rufro IS bug" on machinery.
and he had heard so much about the
Ford plant that about the first thing
no did in Detroit was 10 express a
desire 10 see H. SO out he went,
Thursday afternoon with Howard
Shelley, OF the Chicago Grand Opera
company, and James Il. Deyoe, local
manager OF the concert which Runo
VIII give In the ATmory. Friday even
ing. Ruffo enveloped his athletic
frame--a few pounds would make him
a heavyweight white hope-in big
overcoat, put on fur cap, and seat
ed himself in corner OF the limous-
Inc, where he could see everything on
OOlIl SUES OF WOOCHdrd-dNe.
He had not been carried block be.
fore he exclaimed about the pretty
g!rls-"Les jolies files" lie speaks
French when he does not talk Itai-
ian His English vocabulary IS linn
tied 10 dozen words.
I'VE call them chickens in this
country, Ruffo." Mr. Shelley volun-
teered Belle galnne.~
"Si?' said Ruflo. with broad
smile.
He was surprised at the number or
trees on the side streets He had
never seen city with 50 many trees.
Above all. as block after block was
traversed, he was surprised at the
bigness CT Detroit
"You will soon have the largest city
in the country" he exclaimed.
A small automobile OF make new-
TO him Interested Ruffo as the limous-
ine dashed past il. He leaned forward
10 get better view.
at is built just like .cofYee-mill,"
he said
The plant was reached. and while
he waited Tor the guide. RufYo In
.spectcd a new Ford car, examining
the radiator, the controls, everything.
Then he washed into the shops, and
for 40 minutes he had very little 10
say. The great singer was mute
before the achievement OF the great
manufacturer IN one enormous
room, crowded with machinery, he saw
5000 men at work lie saw each one
doing his small bit OF labor and SHOW
Ing the part on which he had worked
to his neighbor, who in his turn did
his stunt.
1T takes a man like the old Ro-
mans to- conceive such plant" Ruffo
exclaimed when he could collect his
ideas.
The great baritone vas not demon
stratiye. Hands in pockets. he moved
from place 20 place, going as near the
machinery as he could, 10 watch the
operations the closer. The forgers in
terestad him particularly-for in Italy,
before he became famous, he was an
iron-worker Mr. Shelley told how
they had visited the Baldwin Locomo
tive works. in Philadelphia. where
Ruffo had seized hammer and tongs
and had beaten out metal cornucO-
pia, while the amazed smiths looks
on.
Ruffo watched the machinery being
assembled. sklllfully side-stepping
push-cars and overhead cranes He
followed the entire process, from the
hooling together OF the frames to the
pouring OF gasoline into the tanks
Then he stood for five minutes near
the doorway watching the machines
as tho drivers started the engines and
the ears, under their own power.
dashed out TO the shipping platforms.
at the rate OF one every minute. He
shook his head soberly.
We are nothing but atoms" he ex.
claimed.
Back through the plant he went,
and into the engine room. where he
inspected the 5000 horsepower en-
CINE that was feeding all the machines
Of the huge factory. lie blinked and
drew back. involuntarily, as he pass
ed the end OF the engine, where the
shaft dashed at him and suddenly
withdrew. He was silent as he
climbed into the limousine for the re-
turn. When he was seated. he drew
long breath and said: i feel like
an imbecie."
He listened attentively TO Mr.. Shell
ley, who translated several stories
about Henry Ford-part OF the rapid
ly-growing Ford legend, which may or
may not be true.
IL would like to invite Mr.. Ford
10 my concert. DO YOU think he would
Gomez" Ruffo asked.
Mr.. Ford would probably do as he
pleased Ruffo was informed; but the
singer insisted on sending the inyi-
tation. and a messenger conveyed It
70 Mr.. Ford, Thursday evening.
been spoiled. lie puts uD with the
haIdships OF concert tour~-and
there are many without complaint, II
he doesn't get what he wants. he
takes what he can get. without pro
test. lie keeps himself IN splendid
PHI steal condition. lie does not
smoke: when he drinks, which IS IN
frequently, he takes n very light ital.