AMERICAN CHAIN & CABLE COMPANY, Inc.
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A Short Story
About a mile behind the front lines in Germany
two American soldiers were sprawled out in a make-
shift overnight shelter. Like all GIs, they were happy
to find they were from the same hometown. Both
were York boys and buddies on sight.
"So you're from York," slowly remarked Bill, the
one with blond hair.
"Yeh, and I wish I was there right now!" answered
Ken, a short stocky boy. "Say, what did you do in
York?"
"Drove a truck. What did you do?"
"I worked over at the American Chain," Ken
replied.
Bill lifted himself onto his elbow. "They have quite
a plant in York. Make a lot of tire chains, don't they?"
"Buddy, they make plenty of products for war and
for peace, too, and ..."
"You know," interrupted Bill, "I'm interested in
Acco. My father worked there for a long time. Tell
me, did you ever hear how they happened to pick
out our town as the big chain city?"
"Well, the way I got it, the present American
Chain plants started from a small chain shop that
was opened about 1870 by a man named Addison
Shaffer. His shop was on South Pershing Avenue,
right off Market Street. About nine years later J. C.
Schmidt built a new chain plant on East Walnut
Street and hired Addison Shaffer as his foreman.
Around 1889, Mr. Schmidt built a larger plant. You
may have heard it called the Schmidt Plant. It's still
standing near State Street, alongside the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad. A few years after this Mr. Schmidt
imported the first electric welder and mechanical
former for making chain. At first, he had a lot of
grief with this new development, but after a lot of
experimenting he made it work. And, buddy, that
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sure made a big difference in chain-making."
Bill butted in and asked, "How come you know
all this?"
"I ought to know something about it, my father
and grandfather worked for American Chain," was
Ken's answer.
"Go ahead. I'm listening."
". . . well, Mr. Schmidt's business got so big he
became interested in plants in Carlisle and Brad-
dock, Pa., and Columbus and Mansfield, Ohio. Then,
he formed the Standard Chain Company which did
a lot of business with the Weed Chain Tire Grip
Company. That's the company that was started about
1905 by W. B. Lashar. In 1912, Mr. Lashar organized
the American Chain Company, Inc. Shortly after,
about 1916, American Chain bought the Standard
Chain Company, including the Schmidt Plant in
York and the other plants in Pennsylvania and Ohio,
and built the big E. W. Plant at East Princess and
Charles Streets. That's when my dad went to work
there. As a matter of fact, he worked in the Malle-
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able Foundry that was built out in East York about
1919. You know they use a lot of malleable castings
in the chain business."
"But, how about the Wright-Manley Plant?" asked
Bill. "I used to make deliveries out there with my
truck."
"Oh! they came into the picture in 1927 and 28.
The Manley Manufacturing Company located in
West York was acquired by the American Chain
first. About a year later, the Wright Manufacturing
Company, of Lisbon, Ohio, was acquired and moved
to York in 1928 to their present location. In August
of 1938, Manley production was moved over from
West York and consolidated with Wright; thus the
Wright-Manley Plant. That is where they make
Wright Hoists and Cranes and Manley Garage
Equipment . . . ," Ken paused, raised his hand and
grinned broadly.
"Huh! What's the matter?" asked Bill, surprised.
"Look," smiled Ken, "You probably think I've been
trying to sell you the American Chain. Let's turn in.
I'll tell you more the next time."
"Well, O.K., but it sure seemed good to get back
to York for awhile and I learned something about
American Chain."
Acco Products for War
The two York boys over there on the other page
discussed the history of the American Chain & Cable
Company at York. But even they probably didn't
realize the wide variety of vital products made by
Acco for war and for peace. For instance, right in
the kit of those soldiers there probably were several
hand grenades. In each hand grenade there is a
tiny cotter pin that is an important part of the gre-
nade. That is made at York.
Chain is doing many war jobs. Tire Chains kept
American and Allied armies moving toward Ger-
many through snow, mud and ice. In the South
Pacific, Weed Chains did duty on many formerly
Jap-held islands.
On Sea, On Land and In the Air
The winning of a battle really begins at home. In
America's factories a prodigious job of production
has helped the man at the front to beat a tough
enemy. Acco has helped these factories, these Amer-
ican plants with products such as Wright Hoists and
Cranes and Acco Sling Chains which keep war
goods moving along the production lines. Once the
product is made, it's necessary to get it to the fight-
ing fronts FAST. That's where the Merchant Marine
and Naval Supply comes in and they use such Acco
products as Topping Lift Chain which is used on the
rigging that handles the cargoes and Cargo Slings,
Hatch Beam, Cargo Net and Deck Lashing Chain.
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All types of Naval Combat vessels are equipped
with Acco Chains and Wright Hoists. For example,
here are a few: Anchor Chain, Guard Rail Chain,
Debarkation Chain Ladders, Bunk Chains, and Para-
vane Chains.
Wright and Ford Crane and Hoisting Equipment
is being used for the handling of bombs, torpedoes,
heavy shells, aeroplanes and for maintenance ser-
vice aboard ships in practically all branches of our
Marine service, as well as on field trucks and in
munition dumps.
Many of the principal shipyards in all parts of our
country have been equipped with Wright cranes
which are being used for the building of ships of
the "big battle wagon" down to the P.T. type.
The Acco Malleable Foundry has contributed
immeasurably to the war program through the fur-
nishing of critical castings to many of the leading
industrial concerns engaged in war contracts.
One of the perplexing problems of the Navy was
solving the problem of lifting heavy bombs into
planes. Here, the Manley Division at York worked
right with the Navy and developed a portable bomb
hoist, and bomb trucks. This is one of the production
accomplishments that helped to earn the coveted
Army-Navy "E" awarded to all divisions located
in York.
Acco Products tor Peace
It's interesting to note that while York-made Acco
products are vital during war years, they are equally
important during peace times. Let's start with the
basic industries. Coal mining, metal mining and
quarries must have chain for their operations.
Many kinds of animal chains such as tie-outs,
halter chains, pump chain, log chains, are used by
farmers in their daily work.
Constructing America's roads and buildings takes
a lot of chain, too.
America's automobiles and trucks are serviced
with Manley garage equipment such as jacks,
wrecking cranes and presses.
Nearly every kind of an industrial plant uses Acco
Chain, made in York. Wright Hoists and Cranes also
serve America's industries. Often chain and malle-
able castings become part of the product made in
that plant. Sling Chain is used for material handling
in moving items along the production lines.
The American Chain & Cable keeps pace with
modern developments through highly developed re-
search and experimental facilities. Just as in war
Acco's experience and skill was devoted to the prob-
lems of our fighting forces, they are ready to resume
their service to peacetime industries.
Acco's diversified products are vital in war
essential in peace.
Josh
