The Washington herald., 1921-07-26
SEE HENRY FORD
EPRESIDENTlAL ,
TIMBER BY 1924
Political Sharps Point to
His Standing With
Labor, Farmers.
~ ROBERT >. BENDER.

Political astrologers. with whom
every up-to-date Administration
these days is adequately equipped
announce discovery Of An Important
phenomenon In Americas political
and Industrial skies.
They see Henry Ford moving in
creasinR rapidly and ever more
brightly through the path OF their
vision. They further report that
the Ford star " showing marked
attraction to numerous other bodies,
such as the agricultural element
and labor.
From one of these students, whose
name, II IL could be used in connec-
tior with this story, would empna-
size the importance being attached
to the phenomenon, comes this pre-
diction:
"1s24 will see Henry Ford a po-
tetnial Presidential candidate, en-
joying an almost-if not completely
united support Of farmers and a
very strong labor sympathy"
Here's the Dsp-.
The fact that Ford. personally.
Is politically independent and al
ways has espoused ideas rather
than party platforms. naturally
tends to strengthen him with the
two most independent classes In the
American body politic-the farmers
and industrial workers. Both or
these classes today are, generally
speaking. unhappy and more or less
distrustful. Into this situation
comes Ford, playing the following
roles,
1. Against the big bankers. for
whom both labor and the farm ele-
ment hold considerable resentment
because OF their conditions. Forc
recently has won a spectacular VIC
tory in scorning a warning that he
must accept Wall Streets help. and
in going ahead to prove that such
help was not necessary. His Dig
Detroit plant was the FIRST to turn
the corner" away from industrial
depression. and today Is said to be
turning out more cars every twenty
four hours than at any time In its
history.
2. Espousing the cause OF peace
and prosperity promised as a result
OF international armament iimita-
tion-a cause Enthusiastically IN
dorsed by farmers and workers
throughout the country-Ford has
promised to turn the spotlight %
publicity on those bankers and
others who might seek to block the
success Of the armament conclsve.
And Now MsseIe shoals.
3. Having given to the farmers a
cheap automobile and a cheap trac-
tor to tighten their burdens, Fora
now proposes his unprecedentedly
bold project OF taking over the
great Muscle Shoals nitrate plant IN
order to supply cheap fertilizer TO
the agriculture sections: and fur
ther proposes to place agricultural
representatives on the directing
board OF his plant 10 see that his
personal profit is limited to per
cent.
. 4. Having purchased one small
railroad and promptly lowered
freight rates for the benefit OF
Michigan fruit growers, he contem-
plates getting additional railroad
property. and finds his course SC
applauded that agricultural organi-
zations at several points have wired
President Harding urging Ford's ap-
pointment as director general OF
railroads.
In conclusion. this political
prophet pointed out, Ford is De-
coming increasingly wealthy and
Increasingly powerful. The late J
p. Morgan left a fortune estimated
at S5o,o0o,ooo. yet Ford's annual in
come now exceeds that Morgan for
tune.
So those whose business il is 10
watch political straws for the pres
ent administration have a new hot
weather worry. They see awesome
political possibilities in the jituey
kings vast activities.