The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-01-09

MISTAKE
Other Auto Manufacturers Say
They Cannot Emulate Ford's
Plan of Paying Gen
erous Wages.

erous Wages.
sOnited Press Leased Wire Service.]
NEW YORK, Jan. auto manufac-
turers attending the auto show here,
agreed that they would be unable to
emulate Henry Ford OF Detroit in the
payment Of a IS day minimum wage
for eight hours work. Many manu-
facturers declared they were consider
ing profitsharing plans but nearly
all declared that the payment of S. a
day minimum wage to unskilled labor
was an economic mistake" at this
time. Here are their views:
Hugh Chalmers: 1T was too radical
a step to take without consulting 9th
er automobile manufacturers. 1t
would be utterly impossible for other
manufacturers to take up the plan"
Windsor T. White:-"Mr. Ford will
undoubtedly get the pick of the labor
market but l don't think his plan will
j
the plan an economic mistake"
Horace d. Lisser-"H Mr.. Ford ever
had to cut wages he would have
strike on his hands. Ford practically
owns his plant and can do as he
pleases. The, rest of us have stock
holders we have to please
Otis o. Friend Mr.. Ford has all
the money he has any use for and he
now wants others to have chance.
1t Is not q plan for other companies.
c. W. Meers: Mr.. Ford's last state
ment showed he had $13,O00,000 in
cash. He is able therefore 70 indulge
In any experiment he pleases. / be-
lieve the plan economically wrong"
j. j. Cole:-"We are not much con-
cerned If Ford wants to amuse him.
self all right. He can afford it. 9th
er's can't"
Eugene Myers Ford can take
care of only SO many men at SIS day.
There will be some dissatisfaction
here and there, but believe workmen
will seek employment as usual
Ford In New York.
NEW lsRK, Jan, 81" Just think 0.
lit, = carried that guys grip up to his
room and didn't know who he was,
walled a bell boy, at the Belmont ho
/ tel today as he went about calling
loudly for "Mr. Ford-Mr Ford" The
bell boys, walters and others at the
Belmont did not suspect the modest,
unassuming man who arrived there
yesterday of being Henry Ford OF De
troit who recently announced $10,-
| 100000 profit sharing plan of the
employees of his manufacturing plant
/! Today scores We're seeking Ford at
| the Belmont, the bell hops and the
rest have learned who he is and now
all want jobs with his concern.
1 Ford received no more attention
about the hotel yesterday than any
other visitor in New York, but now
that uniformed employees know who he
/ is, nothing is too good for the Detroi,
manufacturer. During yesterday hs
/ gained the reputation of being a goot
/ Upper, but today the only tip desired
/ by those who called to lis room is a
! job.
i Business men and manufacturer!
/ were plying Ford with questions to
day. All We're answered When asked
as to his theory for the establishments
1 Of the IS day minimum wage, in
Guiding such employees as sweepers
/ Ford replied:
Our theory that the man who
/ sweeps the floor is worth SIS for eigh
hours work Is not only sound business
but It's social justice. 1t costs just al
much to feed the babies of floor
/ sweeper as it does to feed the babe.
of motor construction engineer"
! "The distribution of ten million dol
lars anticipated profits among th,
/ employees is not charity. 1t is good
logic and common sense. They are
Z not to get it with an if attached. They
are to get their share every two
weeks"
1 At the Ford Gates.
DETROIT. Mich, Jan. 9.-Polic'
estimated tLera were tx (oo mon /,