Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-04-10
Detroit Industry
Aiming Allies al
Dazzling Pace
BY SILER FREEMAN

II creative genius and produc-
ton efforts can win this war,
Washington can start writing the
peace terms of the world now. The
auto industry's "know-how, F"
carried over from its peacetime
pursuits, is nowhere better de-
monstrated than in the grim task
OF arming the nation TO destroy
the dictators.
Stern-visaged men and women.
working shoulder to shoulder and
guided by the nimble minds Of the
engineers, have started the flow Of
tanks, planes, guns and munitions
from the auto plants in the De-
trot area. What once was a
trickle has become steady
stream and the stream will turn
into a torrent such AS never has
been dreamed of in the history Of
production.
SHOWS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The second days tour of the
plants in the Detroit area spon-
sored by the War Production
Board again showed what has
been accomplished and what is
being accomplished. The verdict Of
the Detroit, Washington and New
York writer's who visited the rest
OF the production centers yester-
day was unanimous; America is
well on its way 10 surpass the goal
set by President Roosevelt.
The creative genius lis every
where evident. Turned loose on
new tasks, the auto engineers and
production men have conceived
machines and tools and shortcuts
never before thought possible.
Sta n dardization, simplification,
unification of ideas and purposes
are achieving output totals that
would be amazing. if they could be
cited.
A plant turning out new type
OF engine for tanks has stand
ardiZed 10 such an extent that
Servicing is cut 10 minimum.
Parts are interchangeable with
ones from a tractor. More power
at less cost is being built in And
above all speed in production is
the result.
ENGINES FLOW SMOOTHLY
Engines flow smoothly from the
assembly lines. some for our own
forces. some for our Allies.
Then there Is the plant which
formerly manufactured spark
plugs. now makes machine guns in
fascinating quantities. Barrels are
turned out with speed almost I'M
believable and with perfection
which only the purpose for which
they are needed can demand.
But above all. new methods 20
speed the output are being devised
daily. Here is a machine which
cuts down operations by one half.
doubles production. Parts are being
blanked out that formerly needed
machining. The "know-how" has
won another battle OF production.
SAME SKILL SHOWN
In an auto factory that once
boosted a product that was one
of the best in the business, the
same skill has been turned loose
on parts for plane engines. The
average service OF the men work
ing on the delicate precision work
is 20 years with the same factory.
Their products are exact. almost
beautiful in perfection.
In another section. they are
starting TO manufacture parts for
the Nd tanks. Machines are be-
ing set up in every foot Of space
Some are not yet in place. There
is difficulty in getting machinery.
But well get them" the head
Of the company vows grimly.
And wei be turning out the
tank transmission and the drive
before you're much older"
The final stop is al a body plant
where the new Nd tank is being
readied. There is hand-built
model Of the monster. built in AZ
days Several mates Of the death
dealing giant are moving along the