Evening star., 1919-03-23
HENRY FORD'SS SON
GROOMED FOR Job
Taught Every Phase of Vast
Business From Construction
to Management.
HAS PROVEN EFFICIENCY


cerning Edsel Ford, son of Henry
Ford, it might be said that Edsel
Ford is twenty-four years old and is
the executive head of the Ford plant.
Although he probably is the young
est executive Of the third largest in
dastry in the United States, Edsel
Ford is not inexperienced, and three
years ago he had greater power than
he has today.
When Henry Ford embarked on his
peace ship in December. 1915. he
gave his son and heir power of at
torney that made him absolute mas
ter of the Ford millions. This made
him the dictator of the Ford Motor
Company, Detroit: the Ford Motor
Company of Canada. Ltd, Walkers
vile, Ontario, and Henry Ford &
Son, Dearborn Mich. At that time
the last-named concern was just get
ting into quantity production of the
Fordson farm tractor.
Active Head of Big Plant.
After his fathers return from
Europe Edsel Ford was elected vice
president and secretary of the Ford
Motor Company. He became active
head of the big plant in Highland
Park, Detroit's largest suburb. on
the 1st of December, when Henry
Ford started on his new national
weekly: Because of his love of Dear
born. his birthplace, Henry Ford
bought the old weekly newspaper,
the Dearborn Independent, and start
ed his publication under that name in
the suburb of Detroit. Henry Ford
had carefully canvassed the publica-
tion field for months and finally de-
cided on a weekly of international
scope. Not only will Henry Ford
take up the management of hfs pub
lication and tractor plant in Dear
born, but he has editorial aspirations
and will edit a page every week In
the publication. The editorial head
of the newspaper is E. G. Pipp, for
twelve years editor-in-chi of the
Detroit News.
Father Retains Presidency.
While Henry Ford is leaving his son
in full charge of the big plant in
Highland Park. he retains his Office
as president of the company. Edsel
Ford will also have jurisdiction over
the policies Of the Canadian factory.
grooming his son to take his place.
While other young men Of his age
were in college. Edsel Ford was go-
ing through his fathers factory,
learning every phase of the business
from constEuetion to management.
Wilson to EXCUSE his soR from the
draft in the fall of 1917. pointing out
that he was necessary to the CARRYING
out of the firms government con-
tracts: as he was the second highest
directing executive Of either corpora
Ford & Son). While there was much
criticism Of the exemption Of Edsel
Ford, he proved his ability by the
manner in which the Ford factories
performed their contracts.
Married and Has Son.
Edsel Ford married Miss Eleanor
Clay DecembeF I. 1916, and has a
son. Henry Ford. I'd. born September
4. 1917. His marriage was an auto
niece Of the i.ts J. L. Hudson E Who
furnished ths funds when Howard
Conn and his associates organized
the Hudson Motor Car Company. The
marriage was selemnized in the .Hud-
son home.
Although one Of Detroit's wealthfest
men. Edsel Ford is 4 quiet, unassum-
ing fellow, and mfngles but little in
society. He takes great pleasure in
and enjoys transcontinental
touring. After he completed his in
In the factory his father
sent him on transcontinental tour
In q Ford car as a postgraduate
course. Although the young man had
some misgivings before he started
his long drive, he surprised his
friends on his return from the Pa
cific coast by his conversion to the
joys Of touring.