Evening star., 1922-08-27
FORD TO DROP 10000
BECAUSE OF COAL STRIKE
CONTINUED from First Pase.)

we have seen a situation approaching
that we feared would force US to
close. We greatly regret having to
take that step. Edsel {Edsel B. Ford,
president OF the Ford Motor Com
pany) and returned from our east
ern trip and. night before last. with
all possible data and information bear
ing on the subject before US. was ts-ove
until almost daylight trying to find
some way out without closing down.
Every way we turned we were
confronted by the situation that
under the present handling of coal
there never would be time when
we would have enough coal to oper-
ate the several departments of the
plant simultaneously.
Compelled to Close Down.
I'VE. therefore, decided that of
or later. We wish to keep enough
coal on hand to keep our furnaces
and coke ovens warm-to let them
get cold would cause US a loss of
hundreds Of thousands of dollars. At
the rate we are getting coal now
September 16 will mark the time
when we will have only enough coal
warm.
"Our reserve stock by that time
will have been completely exhausted.
We. therefore. will close down the
entire plant on September 16.
Last night we wired 900 houses
that supply us with material to stop
shipment and this morning letters
and kilograms were sent out to about
1000 more.
I'VE appreciate the great loss it
will mean to these hundreds of sup
ply houses, but it also will mean a
tremendous loss to US. At present
we are producing $500 cars a day
and we can sell $500 a day. We
have to close down at time when
we are doing a greater business than
ever before in our history"
Effect of the Ford shut down will
be felt on industry in every part OF
the country. according to officials OF
ers employed by firms supplying the
Ford company with various parts
and raw materials, including iron and
steel, was variously estimated at
from several hundred thousand to
three million"
Closed Two Years Ago.
The Ford plants in Detroits sub
urbs were closed for a number of
weeks during the industrial depres-
sion nearly two years ago. Mr.. Ford
was one of the first manufacturers to
shut down at that time, declaring
economic conditions forbade contin-
uance Of operations. He was the first
Detroit automobile manufacturer to
resume, however. He reopened with
a comparatively small number of
workmen, adding to them rapidly. For
a time he placed the men on a three
day-a-week basis in order that suffer-
ing might be relieved among his en-
ployes. Later, as conditions improved,
the employment figures rose to the
height attained during the peak
period" days following the war. At
present, 1t is said, the company is
manufacturing automobiles and trac-
tors at a greater rate than ever before
in its history.
Announcement of the closing came
as a distinct shock to the people of
Detroit. Announcement was made
recently that Mr.. Ford had installed
oil-burning furnaces at one of his
plants as an experiment. and the hope
was held by many workmen that the
Ford company could weather the coal
shortage. 1t developed today, how
L.
machine shops had been converted
into oil burners.
The Ford plants, in the aggregate,
constitute Michigan's greatest indus
try from the standpoint of employ
ment, and as such are among the
and manufacturers here were unani-
nous that the closing of these plants
might have far-reaching effects on
the national economic situation
Blames Big Interests.
Industry the country over mus,
throw up its hands in surrender
within a few weeks. II the rail and
coal strikes continue, Henry Ford
declared today.
sponsible for the industrial tie-up
declaring the money barons" were
manipulating the labor unions, and
that public officials. state and ma,
tional, were impotent in the crisis.
The strikes would end. he con-
tinued when the majority of the
people are cold and hungry enough
to resort to drastic action"
Continuance of these disturb.
ances to the economic life Of the ma
ton is' due simply to the greed and
avarice of Wall street." Ford assert
ed, adding that these interests dom
mated the railroads, coal mines and
public utilities Of the country"
The deadlock in the strike negotia-
tions indicated, he declared. the ex-
moralixed and rundown railroads
onto; the government at their own
price and to mulct the people through
excessive prices"