The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-08-29
Nobody Scared
In Capital. Over
FOrd's Threats
By DAVID LAwRENc1
(Copyr1xns By The 1ntsliSsnesr)

washington. Aug. 2s.-Although the
news that 100000 men might be thrown
our OF employment would ordinarily
cause Sh!vers OF apprehension to run
un and down tho political spine OF IN"
incumbent Administration becauS" OK
the possible effect on other industries
Il cannot be said that orhcial "ashins-
ton ia particularly disturbed over Henry
Ford's threat 10 shut down his plant
Tho truth is considerable skeptictSm
exists here as 20 whether the coal short
svo vas the real reason for the action
o Mr. Ford Many men in the govern
.,sor conyerSant with the automobil"
Industry. credit Mr. Ford with shrewd
s.rrke in seiZlnE upon tho coal situation
a, rnc pretext fo- n shutdown when his
nlarts have reached the saturailon
point OF production,
schsme Is Scented
The view Is expressed. for instance.
thar nothing better could happen from
\ business viewpoint for the Ford
piants than shutdown for a few weeks
This step gives opportunity TO hold un
all those orders for supplies and makes
possIble the negotiation OF new con-
tracts Some hints are heard here tina.
,he respect OF an increase in the cost
or steel caused Mr.. Ford 10 adopt retail
sto-y measures before the steel manu-
racturerq could squeeze him for higher
price.
BUT has!callv government officials
who wers discussing tho move OF Henry
Ford today. declared that the closing OF
rho Ford plants was by no means an
unusual step IN the automobile trade
The theory was advanced that whenever
me production reaches the highest peak
,hsrs =, always a sudden retrenchment
no
mobiles have been made than the pub
u. car absorb Mr.. Ford comedies that
his production Is at an abnormally high
s.age snd that ne was reaching the
greatest rate OF output IN the history
~ his plants. This however Is seen ~
a reason for readjUstment on the ground
'ha, dealers will have more than enough
Ford cars 10 handle the demand for
months 20 come. Meanwhile the shut
down will prove an economy In tho long
run. FOR u will permit the making of
rev contracts on supplies or the hold
ing up Of those supplies which have al
ready been ordered. One man who has
rad much experience with automobile
,roductior and who now Is In the gov
,rnment here said.
safe way II TO Shut Down
Many manufacturers would Ike 10
ssu- down everv now and then when
they reach the peak Of production or tho
.aturation point. They try usually to
readtust and retrench which Is after
all difficult and dangerous. The safes.
waY Is 10 shut down entirely and start
With a clean slate. This Is undoubtedly
-hat Mr.. Ford has done. for II is In
conceivable that Mr. Ford who owns a
yaIlroad which connects with ono OF the
sarRest coal-producing areas IN the coun
t-y. should find IL difficult to get
Sapuss- coal 70 run his plants"
esom political angle, the news or
Mr.. FOrds action was subject ~ som"
discussion. but only a. n symptom OF
,ba general compiled tiOns which the coal
md raj! strikes have made for those
members OF congress who are M for re-
election this year Administration off,
s'als already admit that unless the coun
.rv is In 4 prosperous condition when
..ertion time comes q vote OF protest
viii inevitably hc registered which will
helm the Democrats. though as vet n"
real fear Exists that the Republican,
will lose r"utrol nf congress
Crucial Days Ahead
The as1t ten NJ hueen DAYS VIII b"