Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-06-29
BAD BUSINESS.

n suDhCtlUeT Stuuh US cHprluk
from Champaign, III, newspaper
containing story under a Detroit
date line 10 the effect that Henry
Ford has announced that any emf
ployes OF the Ford Motor company
who ara members of the national
guard will not only not receive pay
while absent on the border or in Mex
leo. but win forfeit their positions
with the company Az well.
Bat fce she fact that II tmanates
from an apparently reliable source
and TO date has not been denied by
Mr.. Ford or any one authorized TO
speak for him. Il would be difficult
to credit this story. Assuming as
VIC must. that 1t Is true, an entirely
new light is thrown on the Rltrulsm
as well as tho patriotism OF Mr.. forc.
II is not for a moment to be sup
posed that the reason for this action
is founded In business considerations.
The pinch OF hard times has never
been felt by the Ford Motor company
-~-indccd. TO USE an expressive bit of
slang. prosperity Is rs middle name.
Perhaps the most effective bit OF adj
vertlsine that Mr.. Ford has ever done
with the possible exception of the
persistent circulation of Jokes regard
ing the car bearing his name, was to
divide the profits OF the company
with his employees, tho division being
made under circumstances that would
insure tho maximum of publicity and
firmly establish the reputation of the
manufacturing as philanthropist.
The only conclusion that can be
reached Is that Mr. Ford Is 80 con-
firmed a pacIfist that he not only
considers It wrong for the Individual
to 60 TO war In response to the call
Of the president but believes that it is
his duty TO throw every obstacle pos
sihls in the way OF those who recog-
nise that they are under an obliga-
ton to bear arms in defense Of the
nation. In other words, ne intends
to silence every gun that no can. and
where there y a gun that can not be
silenced by him and the nian whose
trigger finger belongs with that gun IL
within the sphere Of his influence he
proposes, to show his dispieasure by
Furnishing that man and those who
may be dependent upon him.
When we recall the voyage of the
Oscar ii Il must be admitted that Mr.
Ford IL at least consistent--dhnt his
course IL entirely logical II the prem
Uses formed by his previously an
nounced convictions are sound. But
It is unlike Mr.. Ford to let II matter
of this sort Interfere with business
and that Il will seriously interfere
with business TO the extent that 1t will
impair his popularity with The Amer
lean people can not DO doubted
For while the American people alb
hor war and love peace, they are not
paeifists after the pattern of Mr.,
Ford. They believe that there come
times when not to fight would be
disgraceful, ana they believe even
more strongly that the man who obeys
his countrys call TO arms should not
be punished for his patriotism. They
viii resent the penalisIng OF loyalty
which MIR. Ford has enforced.
At the risk of being considered
flippant 1t may be said that Mr..
.Ford's conduct towards his employees
who are members OF the national
guard viii give the sensibsIlties of the
American people a jolt even more Sc
we're than that occasioned their bodies
hy riding In his cars.