Evening star., 1941-08-26
'ChrysIer's S Production
For Defense Shown
To Press Group
Arms Efforts Take
Spotlight From New
Model DispIoy
BY DAVID ]. WILKK,
Press Automotive Editor.

hSsOCl1tcu fTchs AubOmOtlFe
DETROIT, Aug. 26.-How the
production of armament by the au-
tomobile industry has become the
NO. / job" Of the motorcar manu-
facturer was demonstrated by
Chrysler Corp. today to a group Of
several hundred newspaper publish
ers, editors and writer's and trade
paper representatives.
Chrysler coupled with the showing
OF its production work for defense
a preview Of its 1912 model automo-
biles. The car showing, however.
was subordinated to the presenta-
ton of how the greatest mass pro-
duction technique of the industrial
world is being turned to the manu-
facture of Army tanks, anti-aircraft
guns, subassemblies for bomber
planes. military trucks, shells and
Chryslers own idea of 1000 o-horse-
power airplane engine.
Arms Output Speeded.
The l6-year -old Chrysler Corp,
founded by the late Walter p.
Chrysler and developed as one OF
the most important armament pro-
ducing units of the industry by x
T. Keller, master mechanic and
corporation president, made more
than l,l25,000 passenger cars and
trucks during the l94l model year.
The 55-year-old Keller, who be-
lieves there is nothing as important
as building something" and keep
ing up with a world that lis moving
on" doesn't know how many auto
mobiles his company will make dur
ing the next II months. He does
know that he already has delivered
28-ton tanks, Bofors anti-aircraft
cannon, thousands of military
trucks. shells, cartridge cases and
other items of armament essential
TO national defense, and that they
will be coming from production lines
in increasing volume during the
year ahead.
Tanks Demonstrated.
Today's presentation was an all
day affair. commencing with a
breakfast at a downtown hotel and
concluding with dinner in the
evening. A demonstration OF a
group of medium tanks in action
was probably the most spectacular
event of the day.
Keller told the newspapermen
guests that Chrysler's tank plant
was 'besting fruit" and predicted
that before long We will be making
more tanks than you can count"
Il am not allowed to tell you what
the volume of production is now,
he said, but We were scheduled to
make five tanks a day and believe
may safely tell you that we are
up to schedule"
The Chrysler chief was not at
liberty to describe the tank arma-
ment but he said with a smile:
I'D hate to be within a mile of
one of the cannon when it goes of. 4"
Sees Vital Task.
Industry" he SAID in empha-
sizing the task of eQuipping Chrysler
defense plants with man power and
machinery, is going to be the back
bone of our Army.
Newspaper publishers who guide
the thought of the Nations people
have a distinct opportunity for
creating, in the United States par
ticularly, a wholesome respect in
the organizations that, after all,
have to win this war"
Keller, discussing automobile pro-
duction, said he did not expect
there would ever be a complete sus-
pension OF car manufacture. Auto
mobiles. he said were needed to
push this defense job"
The tanks are being built in a
$40 900 900 arsenal in nearby Ma
comb County, about IS miles from
downtown Detroit. The contract
covering the initial order for the
mobile fortresses called for the pro-
duction of 1000 of them, to cost a
total of S34, 500 600.
Chrysler delivered the first tank
to the Army last April, seven months
after ground was broken for the
huge arsenal. In volume produc-
ton the plant. more than five city
blocks long and two blocks wide, is
expected to employ 10000 workers
and deliver five tanks a day.
Packard Holds Show.
Max M. Gilman, president of the
Packard Motorcar Co. told a Joint
dealer and distributor meeting here
| today that he was convinced they