Collection of Joe Gertler
Collection of Joe Gertler
| CORRESPONDENCE WITH WACO, 1934 |
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Collection of Joe Gertler |
Collection of Joe Gertler |
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PACKARD MOTOR CAR COMPANY DETROIT MICHIGAN Jan.18-1934 Mr. C.J.Brukner, President Waco Aircraft Co., Troy, Ohio. Dear C.J: Because all the enthusiasm for our Diesel engine has been lost around her(with the exception of about three of us), and it doesnt look as though anything will happen here for many moons, I am looking around for something more exciting than working on automobiles. I have been thinking seriously of writing to each one of our Distributors and Service managers through-out the country, and finding out if any are interested in their local airports or want to be, and will finance me in the agency of a good plane. In that connection I thought you might be able to suggest some place your company wants to establish an agency, or make a change in the present dealere in certain locations. I was over to Joe Salzmans hangar the other day to see Gar Woods new cabin job, and it certainly is a dandy, and does credit to your whole gang. You are one pereson in the aircraft industry who deserves all you have pulled out of it, for I can remember the old days when it was tough sledding for you, and how you used to do all the lay out work and all the welding besides. Please let me know, when you have the time, and with best regards to all the boys, I am, |
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Jan.18-1934 Mr. Walter E. Lees 2505 Pinecrest Drive, Ferndale, Mich. Dear Walter: Thanks for your letter and all the kind remarks about the self and the product. Sorry to hear that the Diesel cause is suffering along with rugged individualism. I suppose you do find automobile developement anything but inspirational after the interesting pioneering work with which you have been connected Getting down to the subject of your becoming located in a WACO sales agency-- I am goiing to recommend that we approach the problem from the opposite direction to taht which you suggest, as it would be an enormous task for me to comb thru our sales connections and compile information as to their extent and desir- ability, most of which information would be of a confidential nature. I can say that there are a good many good locations in which we can carve out a territory in which a good hard-working salesman can really make sales and money. I suggest that you do the investigating you have in mind and when you have located one or more spots in which you think backing will be available, that you communicate with us for a report on our existing sales situa- tion in those localities before proceeding with any arrangements that might mean expense to you, as you must realize that you are most likely to receive favorable response from cities in which aviation is already popular and ther are sales connections established. As stated above, this thought does not imply that there are not plenty of excellent spots available, but most of them will require a little initial build-up of enthusiasm, which may be easier to accomplish this year by reason of the Department of Commerce promotional activity which has planned a large ballyhoo campaign on private flying, and altho it is going to be directed to the "flivver" class, it will also focus considerable attention on the more substantial types. We have repeatedly seen dealers go into territories practically dead to aviation and strike up enough immediate enthusiasm to make a good thing the first season, and in some cases said dealer was a rank beginner himself I think you will agree with my recommendations outlined above, and we will await with lots of interest further word from you as to progress or any further request you may care to make for information or suggestions. We surely appreciate your interest in our picture and hope that things will work out so that you can be one of us soon. |
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Sincerely Yours, C. J. Brukner President |
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Editors Note: I find this letter from Walter to be particularly poignant. When I read it recently to my wife Jo, Walter's youngest daughter,
she observed that her father had a wife and four daughters to support and times were very hard. It was shortly thereafter that he joined
the Scintilla organization, where he remained until he was recalled to the Navy in 1940. I am very grateful to Joe Gertler for finding these letter is his extensive collection of documents from the WACO company and for allowing me to add them to Walter's site. |
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