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. too es mu tem me soe - I LET US !NARROW YOUR ▪TIE ■ 1: 'rt, • 1 I We also mfg. ▪ • Custom ties • III I '\ BUCKLES UNLIMITED BELT SALE $700 BERKLEY SAVE UP TO 60% ON DIAMONDS • 'f ... KICK THE SALT HABIT By Shopping At The NEW ORLEANS Kosher Meat & Poultry • I PROFESSIONALLY' — ▪ • Ties with I your co. I logo 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. 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