The Midland Journal

INSPECTED NEW CHEVROLET PLANT IN BALTIMORE

"Old in years of service to Chevrolet, but young in spirit."

This phrase might well be used to characterize the delegation of twenty-four workmen, one from each of Chevrolet's manufacturing and assembly plants, who gathered in Baltimore some days ago for a pre-opening inspection of the new 80,000 cars-per-year assembly plant in that city. They represented practically all the major manufacturing operations that combine to form the finished motor car. Foundry, forge, manufacturing and assembly plants were all represented by these veterans from the upper age bracket of employees chosen to receive this special recognition for long service, which included not only the trip to Baltimore but side trips to points of historic interest, including the National Capitol at Washington and Mount Vernon.

Enthusiastic over their holiday and the sights they were to see as guests of the company, this group of workers, averaging 71 years of age, and chosen according to the number of years they have been in the service of Chevrolet, formed as lively a delegation as one might see headed for a national convention. To them life began yesterday. They presented a living refutation of the belief that the automobile industry has no place for workers who have passed 40.

Following their arrival in Baltimore, they enjoyed the limelight as a battery of cameras registered their arrival.

welcome at the City Hail, where Mayor Howard W. Jackson presented them with the key to the city. A fleet of Chevrolet cars then carried the visitors to the new plant on the outskirts of Baltimore, where guides under the supervision of W. S. Roberts, plant manager, escorted the group through the new plant.

As they passed down the aisles of the new Baltimore factory on their tour of inspection, they discussed with animation the innovations in assembly plant machinery and operation as they watched the various activities which they know so well. Many of the men had helped to build the plants in which they are now employed, and as they turned the years to compare, there was many an exclamation of enthusiasm for what had been accomplished by modern engineering.

At Washington, they were welcomed to the Capitol by the Speaker of the House, Joseph Byrns. His office became an open forum as the Speaker discussed age and automobiles.

Jim Thayer, 83, dean and spokesman for the group, started in 1915 with the Mason Motor Company building motors for Chevrolet cars. From 1916 to 1918, he was in charge of the installation of all the line shafting in what is now Chevrolet Plant No. 4 in Flint.

A delegation from another of the Flint plants, Philip Lawler, 80, was born in India, where his father's regiment was stationed during the Indian Mutiny. At the age of 13 he enlisted in his father's regiment, and spent the following 14 years in His Majesty's service. After retiring from the army, he came to the United States where he entered the employ of the Buick Motor Company. In 1916 he became an inspector with Chevrolet. He recalls the glee over a record day of 15 automobiles coming off the assembly line. Today he operates a huge machine that grinds parts for water pumps.

Following the return of these veteran employees to their respective homes, Maurice Sullivan, 73, Detroit, was nominated to present a signed scroll to M. E. Coyle, Chevrolet's president and general manager, in appreciation of his thoughtfulness in making this eventful trip possible.

The new Baltimore plant was opened formally on April 9 in the presence of a host of high officials of General Motors and Chevrolet, together with Governor H. W. Nice of Maryland and national and industrial leaders from the Eastern part of the United States.