Lord -Halifax Watches America's War Effort L ORD HALIFAX, the British
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Ambassador to the United States, visited the White Motor Co.'s plant, Cleveland, during November and expressed his pleasure at the wo* done in manufacturing lorries and reconnaissance units for army use. His tour was part of a series of inspections of American defence establishments and followed visits to aircraft factories on the Atlantic coast.
A considerable amount of material for the British war effort had beenprotimed at the White factory even before the American defence programme started, Up to the time of Lord Halifax's visit the company had supplied the British authorities with 300 sixwheeled heavy-duty tank carriers (including loading ramps), 90 oilengined six-wheelers for general transport duties in the desert, over 100 loadcarrying six-wheelers for military service and 150 Scout cars for reconnaissance work.
Lord Halifax was met in Cleveland city area by Mr. Robert F. Black, president of the company, and Mr. Robert Cass, chief engineer, and upon arrival at the plant he made a tour of the production lines. The British Ambassador, who has been particularly interested in the American labour movement, met the local officials and mixed with the workers, discussing their jobs and personal interests.
Special notice was taken of the manufacture of Half-Trac and Scout cars, which are of identical design except for the rear drive, the Scout vehicles having conventional rear wheels and the Half-Tracs securing their driving power by means of a traction belt system. Both are armoured units, which are employed for reconnaissance or for rapid transport of troops; each mounts, three machine-guns.
At present, the White plant is working on an order for 700 Scout cars, which follows an order for 2,500 that was completed six months ahead of
schedule. The total U.S. Half-Trac order is for 5,600 units. Work is also proceeding with an order for sr 6-ton six-wheelers with all-wheel drive. Altogether, White's defence orders from the U.S. Government to date amount in. value to over 65,000,000 dollars.
During his tour of the White factory, Lord Halifax answered many questions regarding war activities.—Report by Clipper Air Mail.