THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Friday, October 1, 1982 41
Genius of Albert Kahn and Auto Industry Factories
Described in Andrews"Architecture in Michigan'
Wayne State University
Art Prof. Wayne Andrews
covers a vast field of Michi-
gan architectural history,
from 1831 to the present, in
"Architecture in Michigan"
(WSU Press). It is a pictorial
history, richly illustrated
with the most important
structures in Detroit and
many other cities in Michi-
gan.
It is the story of Michigan
architecture commencing
with the pre-Civil War era.
Prof. Andrews shows his
skill as art history profes-
sor, as a skillful photo-
grapher, who brilliantly
portrays the earliest period
as well as the modern. In
all instances he is the
romantic, the dedicated
student and researcher, and
the revised and enlarged
edition of his notable work
is an historical record of
great merit.
Notable in this impres-
sive work is the chapter
devoted to Albert Kahn.
It is a fascinating biog-
raphical sketch, and even
in its brevity of only
seven pages it draws at-
tention to genius and in-
comparable achieve-
ment.
Kahn is described as the
ablest factory designer of all
time. According to Prof.
Andrews:
"Here was a modernist
anything but modern once
he was not facing the prob-
lems of an assembly line.
`Evolution is preferable to
revolution,' he decided in
his nonfactory commis-
sions, pleasing himself and
probably his clients by re-
turning to the Renaissance
and other historical styles."
Kahn is introduced as
"ihe favorite architect of
Frackard, Ford, GM and
Chrysler." He was the ar-
chitect and designer of the
General Motors Building,
Hill Auditorium in Ann Ar-
bor, the Fisher Building and
the scores portrayed in the
lengthy section of photo-
graphed, Kahn-designed
buildings.
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Dr. Andrews states that
Elizabeth Dilling was Henry Ford II."
Kahn. It is a noteworthy
by 1929 Kahn's industrial
notorious as an associate
book that enriches the WSU
It
is
too
much
to
expect
an
work was bringing in $1
in anti-Semitic move- historical record of a specific Press.
million a week; that by
—P. S.
ments and she had the
1939 his office produced
support of Henry Ford, industry to be complete. It
should
nevertheless
be
18 percent of all
something not mentioned
P FACIAL HAIR
architect-designed build-
in this biographical essay noted that among the mis-
P ERMANENTLY
sing
names
in
the
record
of
ings in the United States.
of Kahn by Prof. An- architectural Michigan
REMOVED
There is this tribute to
drews.
leaders those of Sol King
Eyebrows, Neckline, Arms
Kahn as he is introduced
there is a revealing fact and Louis Redstone.
Recommended by Physicians
biographically by Dr. An-
here in relation to Joy, that
FREE
CONSULTATION
drews:
But, in its entirety, Prof.
he, too, was inclined toward
SHIRLEY PERM
"Withal, he was modest.
Andrews
provides
a
glori-
supporting anti-Semites. As
!Registered Electrologist
`Architecture,' he an-
Andrews writes: "He was ous history of architecture
nounced more than once, 'is
in
Michigan,
an
excellent
ADVANCE BUILDING
devoted to the American
90 percent business and 10
23077 GREENFIELD, Room 260
account of the rise of the
Liberty
League
and
to
its
Near
Northland & Providence Hospital
percent art.' He knew he
auto industry and a biog-
ALBERT KAHN
successor,
the
American
PHONE
557-1108
was a lucky man.
Over 20 Years Experience
Intelligence Fed- raphical sketch, filled with
" 'When I began,' he cess and failures of the Vigilante
fascination,
about
Albert
eration." 7.0
would say, 'the real ar- many auto firms.
This
is
where
the
author
chitects would design only
Another famous char-
PEARL SCISSORS
museums, cathedrals, provides mention of the acter, who had a role in the
capitols, monuments. The anti-Semitism in the career life of Henry Ford I during
the auto magnate's years of
office boy was considered of Henry Ford: '
"With the innovation of anti-Semitic activities,
FALL
good enough for factories.
I'm still that office boy de- Packard's Building No. Harry Bennett, also figures
signing factories. I have no 10 behind him, Kahn was in this story and it merits
ready to face the enigma- quoting:
dignity to be impaired.' "
ALL LEATHER
Albert Kahn was born tic Henry Ford, who was
"It was in the Edsel Ford
in Rhaunen, Westphalia, reported by Samuel mansion that the most
DRESS BELTS
in 1868, son of "an itiner- Marquis, the Episcopal dramatic incident in Ford
Solid
ant rabbi." The family clergyman who once history took place, the deci-
Black,
moved to the U.S. in 1880 served as his adviser on sion by Edsel's widow, the
Brown or Blue Only
PEAit. SCISSORS
and Albert's father, not a human relations, as say- former Eleanor Clay, to rid
"THE BUCKLE LADY"
good business man, had ing, 'We want to make the Ford Company once and
Now Available
for a time managed a res- men in this factory as for all of Harry Bennett and
MASONIC
taurant near the old well as automobiles.' to insist on the nomination
Michigan Central Depot (Though Nevins and Hill of her son Henry Ford II as
and
SHRINE
2240
COOLIDGE
in Detroit. When the quote him as also saying, president.
5 Biks. N. of 11 Mile
BUCKLES
depot burned down in `A great business is really
Mon.-Sat. 10-6
and ether fraternal erraintiens
"Bennett was a man
545-6885
1882, he ran a saloon, sold' too big to be human.')
Come In and See Yours Now
hated
and
dreaded
on
all
"He also remarked to
I
vegetables, sewing
levels by all save Henry I,
machines and spectacles. Marquis that 'the trouble who found him a useful
He functioned as a wan- with people is that they do -assistant on anxious days at
dering rabbi in Trenton, not think. I want to do the factory.
N.J., Jackson, Mich. and things and say things that
" 'Who is this guy, any-
will make them think.' But
New Orleans, La.
reading, he argued, 'can be- way?' Edsel once com-
• We Sell Diamonds Only
Therefore Albert's child- come a dope habit. Books plained. 'He is nothing
• By Appointment Only
hood was an anxious one, as muss up the mind. We read but a gob.' Bennett
he is described by Dr. An- to escape thinking.'
sensed this resentment. 'I
Call Jerry Turken at c,4
drews. At 13 he was an
"Insensitive as Wagner knew that Edsel despised
office boy, working without when it came to the feelings me,' he said.
The New York
pay the first year, at $15 a of Jews, he peddled anti-
"Eleanor Ford not only
Diamond Cutting .
week the second. He Seinitism for years without dared to stand up to her
Company TM
groomed horses to earn considering the effectihis father-in-law but declared
"The Diamond Cutter'
extra money, and because stand would have on Ford war in her son's favor. 'If
3000 Town Center,
he smelled of the stable he sales or what Kahn's reac- this is not done,' she in-
Southfield, MichiialiR
was fired.
formed Henry I, 'I shall sell
tion might be."
355.2300
Then Julius Melchers,
There is another interest- my stock.' Whereupon the
the father of Gari Melchers, ing aspect in this Andrews great Henry Ford surren-
*Cc,
offered him art lessons. account relating to a Jew- dered, to Bennett's amaze-
• .
That led him to his first ar- baiter. Referring to Henry ment. 'You're taking over a
chitectural job with Mason, Bourne Joy of the Michigan billion dollar organization
•
t"'
and Rice which lasted from Central family, Andrews that you haven't contrib-
C
The
New
York
Diamond
Cutting
Company,
1 97 7
1884 to 1896.
states that "The ever- uted a thing to,' he told
-
-
He won traveling schol- militant Joy, who could not
salt is best used for melting ice, not your stomach
a,.._hips and his career conceive of life without a
began in earnest, continu- cause, also spent no end of
member
ing unto the great successes time in trying to ferret out
Communists
in
the
he achieved when he or-
ganized the Albert Kahn churches. He died in 1936,
architectural firm in 1896, not before he had a' chance
encouraged by his brother to hail 'Red Network,' pub-
lished. by Elizabeth Dilling
Julius.
Kahn was wed into a of Kenilworth, Ill."
famous Michigan family.
He was married to Ernes-
Israel Television is
Successors to Pasadena Kosher Meats
tine Krolik.
limited to one channel,
New Orleans Mall, opposite Star Bakery
15600
W.
10
Mile
Rd.
at
Greenfield
The Andrews story re- which broadcasts educa-
all our beef, iamb, veal, poultry & deli Items are slaughtered or processed under the
lates the architectural ac- tional programs until 5:30
supervision of a recognized orthodox rabbinical organization.
tivities, the great structures p.m., children's programs
We are open for your inspection at any time
he created, the industrial until 6:30, and then in
we do not pre-kasher our meat except our ground beef
fame he acquired construct- Arabic until 8 p.m. General
programming runs from 8
ing the auto firms' plants.
In the process, Dr. An- p.m. until midnight. Color
"Custom cutting for Custom People"
Our new Jewish calendars
drews relates history, that broadcasting is expected to
are now available
Allan Cohen & Michael Cohen
of growth expansion, suc- begin in 1982 or 1983.
t
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