Evening star., 1941-05-28
Auto Concerns Hunt
Ways TO Make New
Defense Items
Increase in Bombers
Program Is Given
Intensive Study
Special Dispatch TO The Star.

LIE ROll, May Z6.-lnStead OF
marking time while digesting STU
pendous national defense assign
ments, the automotive companies
are continually developing plans to
take on additional items and to
double or triple some of the pro-
grams approved only a few weeks
ago according to Rupert LeGrand,
Detroit editor of American Ma
! chinist. At the moment. he says,
the enlarged bomber program is re-
ceiving intensive study, especially
toward procurement of the addi-
tional engine and propeller manu-
featuring facilities.
According to we'll substantiated
reports, Chevrolet has been studying
the production methods evolved by
Buick for manufacturing the Pratt
& Whitney 1.200-horSepower radial
air-cooled engine. Buick, it will be
revealed, is equipping a S3l 900 900
plant at Chicago for producing 500
of these motors per month by mass
production practices that draw
freely upon automotive experience.
Takes Over REQ Plant.
Nash-Kelvinator has taken over
4000 square feet OF floor space
acquired by the Defense Plant Corp.
from the REQ Motor Car Co, Lans-
ing, and will spend S8,00O,OOO for
equipment with which to manufac-
ture Hamilton standard propeller
and hub assemblies. 1t is report
ed that these assemblies are of
recently designed type for appli-
cation to large planes for the Army
and Navy. Between 1000 and 5000
employees will be needed when the
plant is in full operation. General
Motors is also planning to expand
its propeller manufacturing facili-
ties at Dayton.
Further evidence of the impor-
tance of the automobile industry in
the aircraft procurement program,
it is pointed out. is contained in
transfer of the Central Air Corps
Procurement district from Dayton
to Detroit. The central district will
coordinate, facilitate and follow up
the procurement of aircraft, en-
gines and material after the con-
tract has been let.
Detroit's casualness in starting
projects almost on faith" is one of
the reasons why things get done in
a hurry, says Mr.. LeGrand. Signed
and sealed contracts are not custom;
many an order is taken verbally,
the written order coming through
later. For example. everyone has
known for months that Chrysler
and affiliated companies are setting
up plants to manufacture sub
assemblies for the Martin B-26 two
engined bomber. Yet the other day
the company received its first air.
craft contract-an educational order
of approximately S5000.0OO with
which to make nose and center
section assemblies.
10-cent Boost Likely.
Opinions expressed in Detroit con-
cerning settlement of the General
Motors U. A. VIC. I. o. dispute
over a new contract run about as
follows.
Cd it will be almost impossible
TO stop the chain Of l0'Cent raises
started by a steel company. and in
fact it is suggested that heavy pres
sure was brought by Government and
union sources to prevent General
Motors from breaking this precedent
even though its wage structure was
already the highest in the auto
motive industry; and
90 manufacturers might possibly
save money if they can reach an
agreement with the union over
wage increases without letting the
matter get to Washington.
1t is possible that General Motors
could have reached an agreement in
Detroit if it had been willing to
start the ball rolling with more
than the original offer of three
to five cents more per hour, depend
ing upon job classification. Natur-
ally. the union would not retreat
from it's position of 10 cents or else,
when it found the green light set
by government well-wishers.