Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-09-14
FORD WOULD MAKE
POWER Of MEXICO

DETROIT.-(By the Associated
Press).-Development of Mexico in
dustrially and agriculturally to a
point where it will take it's place as
one Of the leading powers, Of the
world is the plan of Henry Ford.
This has been learned by the AS
ISOLATED Press from sources close to
the manufacturer. Mr.. Ford, 1t was
learned, proposes to end forever the
internal strife in the southern re-
public by putting the people to
work." as he expresses it, by max
ing it possible for the poems to OBJ
tain educations, and by devious ways
elevating the masses in the country
to the. highest possible standard.
The motor manufacturer wants to
keep the hands and minds of the
Mexican common people occupied
SO they will have no time for fight
ing" This, it became known, is the
substance of Mr.. Ford's theory, one
that he hopes to carry out in the
near future by erection of num-
Der Of factories throughout the more
important states. In short, it was
said, he hopes to reveal to the peo-
pie of Mexico how they can help
themselves.
/, The first step in this program
may be taken soon with establish
ment Of a Ford motor assembling
plant in the state of Coahuila, prob
ably in Saltillo. Business interests of
that city and the governor Of the
state are known here to be eager
to bring about the industrial de-
velopment. Mr.. Ford, it, is known,
would enter upon his development
program Immediately upon erection
of the necessary factory buildings.
Similar enterprises would be estab-
lished by Mr.. Ford in other parts
Of the country if the plan is car
ried out, it was minated.
Mr.. Ford is said to believe that
if the MeXicans once are taught the
value of industry, better methods
Of agriculture and their possibili-
ties individually and as nation,
the advance of the country will
prove to be one of the most notable
in history.
ii
have an abiding faith in the people
Of the country. He announced his
idea several years ago, at a time
when many persons in the United
States were advising that the Uni
ted States send troops to "clean up
Mexico"
At that time Mr.. Ford said:
Let me invade Mexico with fac
tories and give the people some
thing to do. Then there will be no
more war there
AS the initial step toward carry
ing out his plan Mr.. Ford, for the
last few years, has been training
Mexicans in his automobile facto-
| ries here. Several hundred repre-
sentative workmen from the south
ern republic have become skilled
workmen in the local plants. Now
they are ready to return to their
own country and become native
foremen when the wheels in the
Mexican Ford shops begin to turn.
These men, it was explained, have
learned American methods, adopted
American standards of living, and
have seen the vision of the new
| Mexico. They will pass this en-
thusiasm on to their countrymen,
the manufacturer believes, and,
from this seed, will sprout the end
of the Mexican peonage system.
Mr.. Ford, it became known, pro-
poses to take into the southern re-
public all the ideas that he has
worked out in this country. He
would open schools where farmers
would be taught the use of i'm
proved agricultural implements. He
would make it possible for his
workmen to become educated by at
tending school outside of working
! hours and see to it that the chill
I.dren of the poorer class had educa.
tional advantages necessary for the
welfare Of the country.
1t was learned that Mr.. Ford be-
lieves the working people Of Mex
leo have been exploited. He pro-
poses to throw the present system
into reverse and turn toward de-
velopment.