The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-05-20
FORD'S WAR ON
CIGARETTE EVIL
STIRS UP TRUST
Head of American Tobacco Com.
pany Protests Against De-
trOiter's Campaign
AUTO KINGS SECRETARY
MAKES EFFECTIVE REPLY
Shows Most Boy Delinquents and
Other Sub-NOrmals Use
Coffin Nails"

+ c. I.iebold, secretary 10 Henry
Ford, has just sent very clear-cut
reply to letter received from Per.
cival l. Hall, president OF the Amer,
lean Tobacco company. protesting
against the attack made by Mr. Ford
on the cigarette evil as the result OF
scientific report as 10 its injurious
effects furnished by Thomas A. Edi-
son, the electrical wizard and person
oil friend OF the automobile manufac-
ulrc4' Hill insists that cigarette
smoking In moderation rs not injur-
ious. and declares that as the results
OF scientific Investigations became
known the prejudice against ii died
out even more quickly than it had
arisen"
Mr.. l.iebold's reply follows:
Detroit, Mich, May 10, 1914
Mr. Perciyal l. Hill, President.
The American Tobacco Co,
New York, n. Y.
Dear Sir.-Your letter OF May
10. addressed TO Mr. Ford receiv-
ed during his absence from the
city, and inasmuch as the matter
mentioned therein has had the
attention OF the writer. | take the
liberty or reply thereto.
Not being entirely familiar with
the extent TO which the newspa-
pers have referred to our atti-
tnde on the cigarette. | am not
in position 10 qualify their
statements, except 10 say that the
interview referred TO in the clip
ping enclosed was given out by
the writer and will be defended.
Our efforts have not been direct
ed against any manufacturer, nor
against the tobacco industry but
primarily 10 prevent our youths
from acquiring and continuing the
cigarette habit.
That this practice is injurious,
even To adults, is evident from
your letter, which defends the CT
garette IL used only TO a temper
ate extent by normal users.
That the smoking of cigarettes
is injurious is further evidenced
by the fact that reports from col
leges and other educational in.
situations show that young men
addicted TO the cigarette habit
SSiuOh Al tNei ledu III luelI
studies.
also call your attention to the
statement Of one OF the magis-
trates In your city, who states
that SO per cent of the boys be-
tween the ages OF 10 and II, who
come before him charged with
crime have their fingers disfgur-
I'd by cigarette stains.
II, as your letter indicates, sci
entsts and others have thus far
failed TO find any injurious ele-.
ment In the cigarette, then we
must laud Mr.. Edison for being
the first man TO find the reason
for the degenerative effect OF CT
gazette smoking.
| doubt very much the state
ment you make in your letter that
the popularity Of the cigarette Is
possible only because millions OF
American men have convinced
themselves that cigarette are
good for them. and would, there
fore. ask you to point out what
beneficial result has ever been
experienced by anyone through
indulgence In this habit.
IL NOulu appear tnat the state
ments contained in your letter
ale not of such nature as To
be for the benefit and uplift OF
our hayward lads. and in Justice
to the American youth who knows
not what permanent injury &C
companies this habit. this grow.
ing evil should be combatted.
Very truly yours,
e. G. LlEBOLD,
Secretary 70 Henry Ford