The Washington times., 1917-12-08
Says Henry Ford, 'Raise Gov
eminent Salaries, Don't
Lower Them"
And Henry Ford Is One Who Has the Right to Talk
About Salaries-He is the First Man
Earth to Pay the Average Unskilled
Worker Five Dollars A Day.

It is satisfaction to print the front page Of this
newspaper the letter written by Henry Ford on the train
on his way to Washington where he arrived last night
Dear Mr.. Brisbane:
About the suggestion that the pay of Government clerks
and other civil service employees be reduced.
clerks those salaries should be RAISED not lowered The
Government has shown that can raise money afford
to set generous example to all the nations employers.
There are two ways of doing good in this world Henry
Ford has tried both One is to help humanity in ma
teral way. good automobile does that enabling man to
conquer the power of gravity that holds him glued to the
earth or compels him to move slowly.
Another and greater service that be rendered to
human beings the setting of good moral example Henry
pocket to be able say that working six months
him. however humble unskined earns less than Five Dol
lars day.
should set good example to all other employers.
Mr. Ford and Mr. LiebOld arrived together at the Pow
hatan last night The Times went to them early this
morning, namely at z o'clock.
Like the rest Of the country, said Ford 81 have
plee and unshaable faith in President Wilson For my
self for other manufacturing men, it is pleasure to
think that do something however little to help him
in his gigantic tasks.
81 believe is to President Wilson that employees of
the Government look with the utmost confidence In
him they will find their defender
Ths suggestion to reduce the pay of those that work
for the nation at this time unbelievable and unthnkabe
get the best work out of those that do the nations
tasks u.s. Of course essential It would be the gravest in
justice to the President to the great heads Of departments
Congress- 1aSe spirit OF economy, should
dollars from the pay the and that the
Government Loyalty and for such pitfuy small compen
sation.
'To get the best out of any man you must make him
happy. And to make him happy you must give him HOPE
at is not conceivable that hope should be taken from
Government workers by lowering Of their salaries
considering the high cost of living, considering par
tculary the increased cost in Washington where great
ux of people has suddenly changed
pay should be increased The thought of public authority
should be how these servants be rewarded for the work
that they do How can those upon whom rest the tasks OF
government be made happier What would be fair amount
to ADD to their present small pay Everything has In
creased in cost the responsibility and the work of the Gov
eminent servants has increased and the Government Of the
qRt1S states st ths great s%goye ShG9d ssr The GooD
LET the Government reduce wages and sets the evil
example to other employers throughout the country.
eff Uncle SAM with his income Of billions says: I can
not afford to pay my people fairly how will you blame the
small individual the manufacturer the business man. who
may promptly say If the Government cannot afford to give
fair pay if it is justified in reducing wages not also
justified in making the reductions?
'To reduce salaries of Government employees, partcu
lary in this city Of increasing cost and great crowds would
be serious injustice cruelty to faithful public servants
ut would be something worse than that it would
be the setting of bad example throughout the country 1t
would justfyng dangerous retrenchment it would
able the men sey inclined wages refuse needed
increases point to the Government and The Gov
has set the example in economy my duty
to nav YOU for the Government pays ITS servants less
"I do not believe that the Government of the United
States will prove itself unwse ungenerous employer in
war; when the nation needs efficiency and conened work
ers need to have hope held up before them
II BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT WILL INCREASE
THE PAY OF ITS SERVANTS AND SET A GOOD EX-
GoyERNMENT FOR ADVICE, EXAMPLE AND GUzD-
ANCE.
the wisdom Of the President his power in leadership his
understanding Of the countrys needs"
Thus Henry Ford on wages We believe with him that
the Government will increase wages, not lower them.
Mr. Ford statement that the nation needs the best from
its workers. that cannot do their best unless they
Continued In Last ColumnD