May-June 1993 Issue Number 144 LEWIS WRITES FOR MICHIGAN HISTORY "Working Side by Side" is the title of an article by SAH member David L. Lewis, Professor of Business History at the University of Michigan, published in Michigan History magazine. Described by Michigan History as "a Ford historian and Ford watcher for the past forty years," Professor Lewis will be recog­ nized by members as a former SAH president and recipient of the Friend of Automotive History Award in 1991. Henry Ford, the elder, was a man of moods with pronounced UK CHAPTER likes and dislikes. Among the latter were Jews (see SAI-l Newslet­ LAUNCHES NEWSLETTER ter, December 1981 for a review of the book Henry Ford and the Jews by Albert Lee). Controversially, Ford was a champion of The Society's United Kingdom Chapter has published the African-Americans, and in his article published in the February first issue of what promises to be a quarterly organ for the sharing 1993 issue of Michigan History Lewis gives rare insight into the of Chapter news and networking its widely dispersed membership. relationship. His seven-page chronicle gives the reader another The title, SAI-l Newsletter revives a name used by our Journal for side oft he motor magnate, aside of which most of us have probably over ten years, and heralds Chapter news and feature articles, as been unaware. With a half-dozen photos accompanying his text, space and contributions permit. The premiere issue contains an we see that although Ford may have been prejudiced he was article by Malcolm Green on mobile canteens used in World War impeccably honest in his convictions, or, as the article states, II , and a treatise on "cinderellas," or stamp-sized promotional "Henry Ford's philosophy of an integrated work force was born at materials related to the automobile. the end of a crosscut saw." Editor of the new publication is Andrea Green, and submis­ Ford employed, among others, Joe Louis, Jesse Owens, and sions for publication may be sent to her at Knowle House, Hooke Coleman Young. His first black employee, William Perry, sur­ Road, East Horsley, nr. Leatherhead, Surrey KT24 5DY EN­ vived the layoffs during the Great Depression and remained on the GLAND. Membership in the UK Chapter, which includes dues to Ford payroll until hi s death in 1940 at age 87. Ford was also a close the parent Society, is £15 per year, and application should be made friend of the noted scientist George Washington Carver. These to Chapter secretary Peter Card at 54 Willian Way, Letchworth, were but a few of Ford's black friends or employees. Hertfordshire SG6 2HL, ENGLAND. The article is, I feel, of great importance in illuminating a largely unknown facet of Henry Ford. "Working Side by Side" is a perfect example of the quest for knowledge for which our Society was created. MEMBERS WRITE SHIRE ALBUMS - Keith Marvin Two SAH members are the authors of recent automotive titles in the Shire Album series published in Britain. Founder member Nick Georgano has written The Bentley, Shire Album No. LAST CALL FOR SILENT AUCTION 292, and Jonathan Wood, recipie nt of the Cugnot Award in 1989 for his Wh eels of Misfortune, has penned The Citroen, Shire Album Just a few days remain to contribute items for the 1993 silent No. 289. Shire Albums are concise, 32-page softbound volumes on auction of books, literature, and automobilia. If you have any topics ranging from local history to industry to crafts to folklore. duplicate or surplus items of this description, won't you donate Each is written by an authority in the field and is of interest to them to the Society's major annual fund-raising effort? Contribu­ novice and aficionado alike. Shire Albums are sold widely in retail tions should be sent to auction chair Karl Zahm by July first. Send shops in the United Kingdom (these two new vol umes sell at the them to: modest price of £2.25); information on overseas orders can be KarlS. Zahm obtained from Shire Publications, Cromwell House, Church Street, 4520 Edgewood Hills Drive Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire HP27 9AJ, ENGLAND. Rockford, Illinois 61108 SAH Journal No. 144 May-June 1993 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Dear Members: Peter Card, secretary of the Society's United Kingdom Chapter, recently forwarded a copy of the first issue of the Chapter's new Newsleuer. The publication consists of four pages, and the SAH Journal (ISSN 1057-1973) is published six times a year publication schedule is quarterly. It is informative, friendly, well by the Society of Automotive Historians, Inc. Copyright 1993 prepared, and truly an enjoyable publication. One of the many items which caught my attention concerns CHRISTOPHER G. FOSTER, EDITOR the White Motor Car Company of Cleveland, Ohio, and its promo­ 1102 Long Cove Road, Gales Ferry, CT 06335 USA tional slogan exhorted to its customers: "Keep Your Car- White Cars are built for keeps, not trades." No wonder the company Richard B. Brigham, Editor Emeritus never broke automobile sales records! Congratulations to Peter and editor Andrea Green for a fine effort. Keep up the good work! OFFICERS A few members have written regarding the need and dispo­ PRESIDENT. ....... ........................ .... .. ............. .Jack L. Martin sition of the "reserves" noted in financial reports from Jim Cox. VICE PRESIDENT.. ................ .. .... ...... .......... .Taylor Vinson For many reasons, reading financial statements is not one of my SECRETARY ...... .... .. ....................... ............... Nan E. Martin favorite tasks, and although they are definitive and informative as TREASURER ..................... .. ... .............. ... ....... .James H. Cox to the financial health of the organization I much prefer reading about cars! BOARD OF DIRECTORS The SAH board has consulted Public Accountants and Throuch Oct. 1993 Throuch Oct. 1994 Through Oct. 1995 Certified Public Accountants, and they seem to be in general Christopher G. Foster Matthew C. Sonfield KarlS. Zahm agreement that an organization dependent on dues as its primary Stacey P. Hanley Helen J. Earle y Nicholas Fintzelberg source of income should maintain emergency reserves adequate to Patricia E. Chappell Paul N. Lashbrook Thomas M. Deptulski continue the group's business for a minimum of two to three years without income. This recommendation represents an increase Subscription to SAH Journal is by membership in the from the previously-accepted norm of one year's income, and Society of Automotive Historians. Dues $20.00 US per year. probably results in many heated discussions about just how large Membership inquiries, renewals, and changes of address our reserves should be. To maintain our fiscal integrity, your board should be directed to the secretary at of directors has established these reserves as our "rainy day fund," 6760 E. 800 N ., Brownsburg, IN 46112 safely invested and earning interest. Although the interest may be used for day-to-day expenses, the principal remains intact to protect the Society from any unexpected contingencies. EDITORIAL COMMENT Previous mention has been made of preparations for the 1993 Silent Auction, our main fund raising activity. I remind and Ask and ye shall receive. I asked you, faithful readers, for encourage you to please take a moment to search your shelves and some help in filling the pages of SA I-I Journal with interesting storage areas for duplicate or surplus books, literature, or material, and many of you have responded with some excellent automobilia which you might contribute to the sale. Chairman items. Jim Valentine's catalog of early Vermont registrations in Karl Zahm is actively seeking inventory and is looking forward to SAH Journal No. 141 inspired others to seek out similar material your help. Please send items to him at 4520 Edgewood Hills Drive, from other states, and you will see Carl Larson's article on North Rockford, IL 61108, by July first. Dakota vehicles, including trucks, in this issue. Another based on Matt Sonfield, chair of the Cugnot and Benz Award Com­ Georgia records is in the works, but fear not-! won't put lists in mittee, reports that the Committee is busily reviewing all the every issue for I know that some of you find them boring. nominations received prior to the deadline. To those of you who This raft of new material, however, doesn't mean my quest forwarded nominations we extend our thanks. is over. An editor can never have too much, so if you've a topic Please help your Society to grow by taking time to secure a you've been resaerching, or something that interests you, it's pretty new member or two from the ranks of your many friends and likely that fellow members will find it fascinating, too. So send it business associates. Thank you. along to me today. -Jack L. Martin I'm also in need of photos for Journal covers. Many of you have responded, but I'm sure that others have photographic ar­ chives that would produce excellent covers. Anything Australian BACK ISSUES OF SAH JOURNAL or Japanese (in the latter case, the earlier the better) would be welcome, as well as Eastern European cars (no, no Trabants, Through 1992 there have been 141 issues of SA H Newsleller please). American cars not represented lately include Buick, and Journal. Nearly thirty are out of print, or nearly so, including Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Mercury, DeSoto, Dodge, Studebaker, and numbcrs2,3, 4,5,6,7,20,23, 25,33,34, 39, 43,47, 62, 63,65, 68, 94 , most of the smaller prewar independents. Unusual models and 96, 99, 100, 101,118,124, 125, 126, and 129. Single copies of other body styles are a plus, and non-passenger vehicles are good candi­ numbers $1.00 each, postpaid USA.