Adam Trenton , an executive of the Detroit Auto Plant , was hurrying to
his office. Although it was only 7.30 a.m. .Adam noticed a few cars parked
near the executive elevator. Where a man parked was a significant prestige
factor in the auto industry. The higher the rank, the less distance he was
expected to walk from his car to his desk.
As Adam entered his office he saw a pile of newly delivered mail on his
secretary’s desk . he never read the whole of it; that was one of the
functions of his secretary – to “ filter out the most important things.”
He had hardly been in the room one minute when he heard the voice of
the Product Development Vice-president , Elroy Braithwaite , from the
intercom box behind his desk.
“ Good morning, Adam . I’d like you here for a while. There’ll be an
informal meeting today with press. They want to know our plans for new
models. Before the press conference I think we should have briefing.
Later in the day when the newspaperman arrived . Voice president Public
Relations, Jake Earlham, was performing introductions. There were
representatives of A.P., the Wall Street Journal and Detroit News. The man
from Detroit New was bob Irvin whom Adam knew best; he wrote a daily column
about automotive affairs. He was well-informed in the industry and was the
first to speak.
“What has been done at your plant to introduce new non-pollution
electric and steam engines?”
“Both of them are available at our test center, “ said Braithawaite “
but there is no hope to use them in cars at low cost , low weight and good
convenience in the near future.”
“ But there are some people who still believe in steam power. Some
plants in California are planning to get a fleet of steam cars on the road
soon,” the A.P. man put in , “ and there are legislative proposals out
there to ban internal combustion engines in five years from now.”
“You fail to mention that steam engines will be extremely bulky and
most expensive , with low efficiency. Even if we try to produce such cars
with all the problems and disadvantages., we must think of our customers
and competitors,” Adam replied.
“then why do you reject electric cars?” the Wall Street Journal pointed
out.
“Unfortunately, there’s little more than talk so far. We do have some
experimental electric cars. At the moment , though, it would be expensive
and not much more than a curiosity,” responded Elroy Braithawaite.
“ and if you’re thinking about air pollution in connection with
electric cars,” Adam added, “ there’s one factor which a lot of people
overlook. Whatever kind of batteries you had they’d need be a requirement
for many more power stations, each polluting the air to a great extent.
Since electric power plants are usually built in the suburbs , what could
happen is transferring it out there.”
Adam continued, “ what we believe is that clean air , at least air not
polluted by cars be achieved best and mist cheaply through refinement of
the present gasoline. Maybe that is not so spectacular as the idea of steam
and electric power but there is a lot of sound science behind it. Other new
developments can also help to solve problem. New metals for engines would
allow very high temperatures in seconds. Using that we could completely
burn the fuel and avoid air pollution/”
Adam was glad that the press conference was coming to the end at last.
He was eager to get back to the “ORION”- the new model which completely
absorbed him at the time.
(After
Wheels by A. Hailey)
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