Roy D. Chapin: The Man Behind the Hudson Motor Car Company

XV. Pioneer in Motor Transport

CHAPTER XV PIONEER IN MOTOR TRANSPORT IN THE opening months of 1917, the United States was being drawn nearer and nearer to participation in World War I. For a time the nation hoped that a series of protests addressed by President Wilson to the German Government might be effective. Business was still on a peacetime level and in January the New York Automobile Show was held as usual. "We have a very striking exhibit," Roy wrote cheerfully to Inez, "a number of cars in fancy colors and we will cause a lot of talk before the week is over." The success of Hudson in weathering the difficulties of the prior year had given Roy the feeling that Wall Street financing was a more practical possibility than previously. The company's improved status might now enable it to get favorable terms, whereas hitherto it would have been at a disadvantage. Roy had decided to explore the situation. He had established contacts with Thomas Cochran, a partner in J. P. Morgan, with George W. Perkins (the elder), Harvey D. Gibson, and other financiers including the early bankers for J. L. Hudson, the Naumbergs. Among those interested was also Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. Roy was particularly attracted to the Roosevelts. "You would have been charmed by their hospitality," he wrote to Inez. "We had a very quiet little dinner at their house and spent most of the time talking babies and housekeeping . . . They are both the type you will like a lot and even if our deal does not go thru, I feel that knowing Montgomery and the Roosevelts has been very much worth while." He went with 145 I46 ROY D. CHAPIN them to the Museum of Natural History, and his letter continued "I can tell our boy all about the birds and beasts soon and perhaps make a noise like a zebra." As he wrote he could not foresee, fortunately, the events which were soon to develop. "This is our first Sunday apart for many months," he said, "and let's hope it will be the last for a long time." But this was not to be. Inez had not been well since the birth of Roy, Jr. Another baby, Joan, was on the way, to be born on February 12, 1917. Hence while Roy returned to Detroit, Inez soon was embarked on a series of trips to Hot Springs, to Savannah and other parts trying to regain strength and weight. Fate sharply altered Roy's plans, too. The everdarkening war clouds interfered with the expected financial deal. All business became nervous about the future, the whole nation was in a state of suspense. By early April while en route to Washington, Roy was writing to Inez: "It may well be I will be in Washington when Congress declares the state of war. I surely would like to be on hand . . . Probably it will be the most momentous act to this nation since the Civil War. "Am hopeful that I may be able to do my share in the common good and this trip may give me an insight as to where I may help." War was, in fact, declared on April 6, but a considerable time elapsed before the country was organized for action, before even the Government adjusted itself to the job to be done. Roy made frequent trips to Washington during the summer, but there seemed to be no immediate place where his knowledge and experience would count. Howard E. Coffin, his partner, had taken an increasing interest in aviation since the days of the Mexican trip, and had, in fact, spent less and less time on Hudson affairs. Coffin was in the thick of America's military program, and Roy consulted with him frequently, but having obligations to a growing family and to his company, Roy felt PIONEER IN MOTOR TRANSPORT I47 he should enlist only for some post where he might have something special to contribute. During most of the summer of '17, Roy was in Detroit, while Inez was at Harbor Point in the northern part of the state. Part of the financial deal which had been considered in New York had contemplated the formation of a new automobile company, affiliated with Hudson, which would make a lowerpriced car. This arrangement would permit the trying out of new markets without committing the Hudson name, as such, to the venture. In September 1917^ preliminary corporate...