100 years ago in The Record

Monday, Dec. 9, 1918. The end of the world war has inspired a “revival of the spirit of Christmas giving” despite fears of a postwar economic downturn, The Record reports. “The merchants of Troy are prepared to meet a record-breaking holiday rush this year,” our reporter writes, “They are agreed that the end of the war is not likely to decrease the purchasing power of the community, as most of the manufacturing concerns are running on a fairly firm basis.” While some observers feared immediate layoffs with the end of government orders, retailers claim that this is only “the beginning of a period of production of needed articles which have not been manufactured for a year and there will be a demand for them for some time to come.” Local merchants aren’t just predicting good business; they’ve already seen it. “The active campaign of local merchants to have the shoppers do their buying early has not been in vain,” our writer notes, “and is now showing good results in the fact that most of the stores report a good, steady trade. Holiday shoppers have extra money to spend, despite the dreaded high cost of living, because many industries paid overtime while filling government orders this year. Anticipating more spending, local stores “are optimistic in regard to the holiday trade and hope that this season will beat all others.” Ford is Awaiting Power Privileges Earlier this year, automobile manufacturer Henry Ford announced plans to open a tractor factory in Green Island. A Ford representative tells The Record today that construction will begin “within a week after obtaining permission from the government to use the water power from the government dam.” “The statement does away with any fear that the project has been exaggerated through enthusiasm,” our reporter writes. Ford has reassured locals that the tractor plant “will probably prove the largest industrial enterprise in the central part of the state, if not the whole state.” Henry Ford has told reporters that he intends to show preference to returning war veterans when hiring for the Green Island plant and other facilities across the country. “I am eager to help along toward the production of food as well as toward the employment of workers, particularly our returning soldiers,” the carmaker says. The Troy Chamber of Commerce has pledged its assistance to Ford “in any way possible that will hasten the decision of the government to permit you to use water power from the dam for your Green Island plant.” The Ford plant “will mark the beginning of a great industrial expansion for this whole distance,” writes Chamber president E. Harold Cluett.