The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1914-05-01

to his just reward. But his just re-
ward is not what he is getting. His
plant last year produced $25,000,000
of profits. Ford took more than half
of this sum and his six partners took
the rest No man on earth can earn
$12,000,000 or $15,000,000 year.
No man on earth can wisely use so
much a year. Ford knows this as
we'll as anybody. The fact that he has
chosen to surrender half of his profits
shows that he knows it. The fact that
he has chosen to return half of this
money to his employees instead of using
it to found libraries and endow col
leges shows that he knows to whom it
belongs. Ford has been a working
man himself. He is not entirely blind.
He knows what it means to work and
get only a part of what one earns
But let us hurry along. We Social
lists told you that under just system
of industry the lowliest workingman
need not lack a decent living. You
hooted at us. You said we were fools.
The rich men said we were crooks
What does Ford say? He says he
can afford to pay and will pay floor
sweepers not less than SIS day. What
do you think of a minimum of SIS a
day? You, Mr.. Average American
Workingman, who receive less than
$500 a year, what do you think of
$1,565 a year? Could you live in COM
parative decency on that? Would
your family feel little more comfort
able than it now feels on less than
$500 a year? How would you like to
work for Ford? Would you accept job
in his factory if he were to telegraph
you? Would you suspect his money of
being counterfeit?
Then, why do you always suspect
Socialist promises of being counter
felt? Can nothing but the actual
sight of money convince you? All
that Ford has told you in terms OF
money we have told you in words. We
nave told you even more, We have
old you that you may have all your
abor produces if you will but go about |
t in a sensible way to get it. Ford |
las told his employees they may have |
lalf of the additional $25000,000 a year
hat they should get. When Ford |
promises to return ten or twelve mil
ions year you take him exceedingly
If you are near enough to
lis factory you crowd around the
rates and howl for jobs. You block
he streets until the police have to
'ome and chase you away. But when
Socialists tell you that you could just
is well have the whole $25000,000 as
lalf of it, you yawn and declare you
,elieve you will vote the Democratic
icket and keep the tariff down or vote
ONE other ticket and put the tariff
Ip.
The man who perpetually yawns is
exceedingly likely to dislocate his jaw,
nut he is not in great danger of yawn-
ng a new suit of clothes upon his
ack, or a barrel of flour into the
itchen. 1t is time that we, as a ma
ion of working men and women, be-
an to give some serious thought to ]
he problem of how we may best go
bout it to make life more nearly
'orth living. If nothing can convince I
S except the actual sight of money, {
1t us thank God that Ford has money
lie has put crack in the walls that
ven a donkey should be able to see I
through.
But we should ask too much of Mr. {
. + l. I. + + + + + + + + = + + =
The fact that Mr.. Ford has
hosen to return money to his EN-
,loyes, shows that he knows to
1. -. L. IN1r x.AA !