Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-03-28
HENRY FORD AND THE FARMER.

Public announcement has been made Of the
tact that the Ford Motor company-which is Henry
Ford-has decided to reduce the working week OF
its employees to five days of eight hours each. max
ing Saturday a full holiday, without reduction OF
pay. The idea is that the employees need both Sat
urday and Sunday free for rest, recreation and the
cultivation of the domestic virtues.
Mr.. Ford has inaugurated many movements at
his great plants for the benefit Of his working force,
and on account of the size of his employed force his
experiments IN the solution OF social problems have
attracted wide attention and brought forth much
comment.
That it will be pleasant for the workmen in the
Ford plant to have their working time reduced in
the manner stated goes without saving. The step
taken by MI, Ford is also bound to have its infu-
ence on the labor situation in other plants. 1t will
increase and strengthen the demand for a shorter
day and week. for more leisure and higher pav in
all the industries. In whatever measure this de-
mand proves effective, SO will the cost of production
be increased. 1t is nonsense to say that a man can
produce as much in five days of moderate length as
ne can IN SIX. 1t simply isn't SO and everyone who
has experience in practical life knows that it isn't
SO. 1t will cost Mr.. Ford more to produce his cars,
and 1t will cost other manufacturers more to pro-
duce their commodities, than it does now. The
producer who operates under factory conditions is
able to regulate his operations quite closely. If
his production costs are higher he will, and must,
advance his selling price. If the market will not
absorb goods at the advanced price UP to his, pro-
duclng capacity, he must curtail production. This
Will still further enhance the price of what he does
produce. The ultimate consumer is the man who
must pay the price.
In relation to the product of the Ford factories,
the farmer is the ultimate consumer Of the greater
portion OF it. Because Of its price and, its adapta-
bility the Ford car is pre-eminently the farmers
car. MI. Ford has become many times a million
aire through making cars and selling them largely
Y farmers. His present step must result in in
sfeasing the price of the car to the farmer. regard
isss OF the fuctuation Of schedules, Beyond what
fnas price would be on the basis of a normal work
neg week.
Notsonly this, but if, from choice or necessity.
ether manufacturers follow suit, the price of other
commodities will necessarily be enhanced in like
manner. II the process is made general it will re-
suit IN increases in the cost of commodities of all
ENDS, to the farmer, to the day laborer, to every
body.
Often the question of why boys leave the farm
a. discussed. Perhaps Mr.. Ford's course points the
way TO IN explanation Of one phase .ofs this subject.
mn. Ford sells his goods to the farmer at prices
which have made him rich. He provides wages
md working conditions for his men with which Tie
farmer cannot compete. Neither Tor himself. nor
lppr his son. nor for his hired man can fhe farmer IL
ss3sugurate the cigtf-hour day and tue Satufdav hoti.
SdsSs "a study Of the conditions SufrnuD6jnx tie
sFbvd Workrlsns is not likely fosna3ke ttIfNts bkDSS an,
Bktter satisfied with the conditions al TIE fatm. II
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