Evening star., 1938-08-16
FORD LEADS CALL
TO RESUME WORK
Observers Say Employment
in Detroit Area Will Hit
Peak Soon.
BY DAVID ]. WILKIE.
Associated Press Stah Writer.


Of operations by the Ford Motor Co.
after two weeks shutdown gave
impetus today to what observers in
the automobile industry assert is an
upturn in factory employment in the
Detroit area expected to reach its
peak within the next month or six
weeks.
BY that time all automotive plants
should be in production on their 1899
models with a potential market for
a large volume of replacements aided
by sharp reduction in used car ac-
cumulations and what should amount
to shortageAin new cars.
The Ford Cb. recalled approximate
ly $4,000 workers; by the end of the
week it expects to have around $1,000
back at work. Normally it employees
around $4,000 in its parent plant at
River Rouge near here.
Tool Plant Activity.
There has been considerable ac-
tivity in the parts and tool plants in
preparation for new model activity,
but major boost to employment will
come when General Motors announces
reopening of its Pontiac, Oldsmoble,
Buick and Cadillac-La Sale divisions.
Chrysler and De Soto as we'll as Pack
ard also remain closed. although
Chrysler is expected to be first among
the larger producers to introduce new
models of its line.
In common with several other car
makers. Chrysler has advanced sched-
ules for 1889 model activity. Current
indications are that every producer
should be in new-model assembly work
by October, with formal Introductory
dates as yet undetermined. Orig
inally, it had been planned to for
mally present most Of the newer types
at the New York Automobile Show,
early in November.
There are indications. however, that
if Chrysler presents new models of the
Chrysler. De Soto or Plymouth lines
within the next four weeks the step
will be closely followed by the intro
duction of new types by Buick. Pack
ard and others.
IISt OutuTn since oCtOOST.
Wards Automotive Reports in its
| current issue said the recall of work.
ers in the automobile factories this
week started the first upward turn in
Detroit employment since last Oc-
tober. On October 81, 1887. it said,
the Detroit employment index was
124.9. From that date until July 81
it had dropped to the low level Of
| Alb The figures are those of the De-
troit Board of Commerce, which uses
1923-l925 as an approximate normal
for compiling it's index.
Yet to close down for the annual
change over to new models is the
Chevrolet division of General Motors,
which has been the industry's heaviest
producer. 1t is pointed out in trade
circles also that the Ford Co. will
undoubtedly suspend operations once
more when it switches over to its new
models.
Wards. which says dealer inven-
tories should not exceed four cars per
dealer by the end of August, believes
this years anticipated upturn in the
automobile industry will differ from
that of 1887 in that it will be SLOW
Not until october will the industry
be in full swing again." it says.
Other authoritative sources say the
| factories will be busy from then un-
! til December. stocking dealers and
filling early orders, and that what oc-
ours beyond December will depend
entirely upon general business con-
ditions.