The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1917-02-10
FORD OFFERS PLANT
TO GOVERNMENT.
A Worker For Peace-But His Coun-
try First If War Is Declared.

Henry Ford, many time millionaire
prominent pacifist and leading auto
mobile manufacturer, has stated in nc
uncertain terms just where he stands
should this country become involved
in the worldwide war that is now
hammering at our gates.
Many large manufacturing plants
have stated in general terms their
willingness to subjugate all their ia
~cilities to the use of the United States
government, but Nh. Ford has gone
several steps farther in stating just
what he is prepared to do if this coun-
try becomes in pressing need of an
equipment suitable for war as con-
Quoted along those lines developed by
modern expediency and resourceful-
h: ness.
A thousand submarines a day, is
guaranteed by Mr.. Ford, if circum-
| stances should warrant this tremen-
dous fighting force, and this, too, at
| absolutely no profit to himself and his
associates. Can any man prove more
c~onclusively than this that first, last
and all the time, his country's inter-
ests are nearer to his heart than any
IIlcIC COlfSluCI dllOu VI lldIClAaA gam
or worldly approval?
A strong sense of international
sympathy and righteousness which he
has conclusively proven actuated his
every thought and act when working
for peace, is now relegated to the linn
DO of more propitious times-not be-
cause he is not convinced that ulti-
mately the world will accept and nour-
ish such sentiments to its everlasting
happiness and welfare-but because
being the man he is, he believes that
our great national influence for justice
and the right, depends upon the single
heartedness of all its people, and feel
ing that, right or wrong, our citizens
have signified their condemnation Of
such acts as have stirred the whole
civilized world by their absence of hui
manitarian principles, he unselfishly,
overwhelmingly and unhesitatinoly
shows his kindred American spirit,
by offering not only all that is his by
right of an undaunted spirit, v
tagging industry and fairness to all,
but himself a. well, in any capacity
which his beloved government can use
him.
Whether such a grand sacrifice of
material profit, by this great man, on
the altar of patriotic fervor. is neces-
STATED bv the coming events or not,
one car not help wondering, in view Of
the wonderful demand now prevailing
for Ford cars, as to what effect the
turning over of this great industrial
plant to the uses of the government
might have upon the delivery Of Ford
cars.
There also arises the question of
what effect this curtailing of the out
put Of Ford airs might have upon the
price of same. Necessarily where
there is a depreciation of output and
an increase of demand Ito be expected
at this time of Year, a great increase
OF price would be no more than is ex-
perienced in any other similar field.
To buy a car now, or at least the fill
ing of an order, would in all probable
ity protect the purchaser on the price
prevailing at the time his order is
sent in, but that there will be an in
crease no one can do more than con
slider facts as will in all probability be
obtaining should such a thing as turn
ing owe the Ford factory to the uses
of the government become an absolute
certainty.
However, we believe most men will
agree that the curtailment of output
with the material increase in demand
should, considering the experience of
all other businesses engaged along the
same lines, cause a large increase in
price, while deliveries will no doubt be
so slow as to discourage anyone who
has in mind the use of a Ford car in
the early Spring months when most
enthusiasts feel the call of the out
doors and the possession of a car to
be of such a strong nature that resis-
lance is almost impossible.