The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-04-21


is a homely but concise summary
OF one OF the greatest industrial
achievements this country If not
the world has ever witnessed
Npsilauti in modest way observes
this spectacular war time anniyer.
ssry and to Henry Ford with his
highly skilled assistants the peo
plo Of Ipsilanti express recogni
lion Of master minds.
The site OF the worlds greatest
bomber plant just cast Of Ypsilan'
u was one year ago quiet coun-
tryside. \ camp for boys. proyid
Cd through generosity OF Mr.. Ford
model workshop and quaint
white church blended a typical
composite OF thoughts spiritual.
hduslrial and philanthropic, so
characteristic OF a truly great man.
Here Mr. Ford frequently re-
hxel ia the atmosphere Of young
nanhood and agricultural pursuits
which be loves and enjoys. It
vas not uncommon to see him at
Tork with boys Of the camp and
d. records for the dash Of hun
ared yards or more and for dis
Arce In the standing broad jump
aero impressive testimonials OF his
Secular habits. Alert and active.
tic worlds greatest industrialist
found time for recreation and good
fellowship
To see the camp. an attribute OF
peaceful vholesomeness. converted
into a factory for production OF
death dealing bombers was dis
tUrbing. II was not pleasant
thought FOR the quiet. mild man
nered country gentleman whose
love for the freedom OF the farm
life. into which he was born, has
remained paramount despite his
luGusfrial success.
And worst of all was realization
that his beautiful sugar bush
must 20 Children from miles
about came there 10 observe the
process Of "sugaring Off Day and
night the fires we're kept bright
under syrup pans while sap was
flowing, and there was no mistak-
ing Mr.. Ford's fondness for the old
time custom nor his alteration Of
the majestic maple grove that
stood as monument 10 the days
Of his youth, producing just as
faithfully as the trees he tapped
sixty years ago
II was with reluctance that he
finally yielded them 10 the demand
Tor airport space. The trees must
be cut. even though plans had
previously been altered TO pre-.
serve them. As the woodsmen
vent 10 work there came the ex-
preston Of reverence in sudden
appearance OF an old fashioned
saw mill near the grove. and the
maple logs we're carefully convert.
ed into lumber for use in buildings
that might preserve the memories
he had cherished
So began preparations FOR the
enormous factory which was to be
designed. built end equipped
with such speed that the first OF
the gigantic deetroyers OF the air
might roll off from the assembly
limo within the year.
II has been a story Of unparalleled
skill and coordinated science
this story of the Bomber plant
Day and night construction has
been rushed and as space became
available for Industrial use there
came machines ready for produc.
ton and men pouring IN through
closely Guarded gates on every
SIDE TO operate thom
War time censorship quite prom.
erly bans information regarding
The number 81 bombers already IN.
der construction. how fast they
VIII come of from the assembly
lines and in what numbers each
DAY We are asked not 10 print
such statistics but We are re.
Nealing no war secrets when We
say the huge planes will be pro
duced more rapidly than anv o.
similar size have ever been built
before. and that they will be a Dc
Gliding factor IN the war.
Rapid development Of the fac
tory - build these planes vii
change the quiet college city o
lpsilsnti TO an industrial center
81 first line magnitude. Here tho
Messrs Ford and such men a.
Charles Sorensen. vice nresiden
o. the Ford Motor COMPANY
Roscoe +. Smith. general manage
Of tho bomber plsnt. and Logan
Miller. accomplished production
engineer. together with man,
others. have been. and stu are
writing most fascinating chapie
n the history OF high speed bro
dGoiion Full appreciation NJ thei
work can come only IN month
ahead As bombers 70 out from
Npsilanti and lighter planes AMI
tanks and guns become available
We shall. zee the results Of thi,
hage victory drive. and 10 IN
great Industrial leaders maxim.
production nosr'ble We shall b
deeply Indebted Through thei
leadership and the cooperation o
men ~ the machines and on th'
assembly lines our armies will pro