The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-08-29
NOhIFOI OF OOhgFtSSs
By DAVID LAWRENCE.


Control of Congress.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Dispatch to The Reformer.)
Copyright 1922.
WASHINGTON Aug. 29.-Although
the news that 100000 might be thrown
out of employment would ordinarily cause
shivers of apprehension to run up and
down the political spine of the incumbent
administration because of the possible
effect on other industries, it cannot be
said that official Washington is partic-
ularly disturbed over Henry Ford's de-
cision to shut down his plant.
The truth is considerable skepticism
exists here as to whether the coal short
age was the real reason for the action of
Mr.. Ford. Many men in the government
eonversant with the automobile industry
credit Mr.. Ford with a shrewd stroke in
seizing upon the coal situation as the
pretext for a shut down when his plants
have reached the saturation point of pro-
duction.
The view is expressed, for instance,
that nothing better could happen from a
business viewpoint for the Ford plants
than a shutdown for a few weeks. This
step gives opportunity to hold up all
those orders for supplies and makes pos
sible the negotiation of new contracts.
Some hints are heard here that the pros
peet of an increase in the cost of steel
caused Mr.. Ford to adopt retaliatory
measures before the steel manufacturers
could squeeze him for higher price.
Not Unusual Auto Move.
But. basically, government officials who
were discussing the move of Henry Ford
today declared that the closing of the
Ford plants was by no means an UNI
usual step in the automobile trade. The
theory was advanced that whenever the
production reaches the highest peak
there is always a sudden retrenchment
when it is discovered that more automo-
biles have been made than the public can
absorb. Mr.. Ford comedies that his pro-
duction is at an abnOrmally high stage
and that he was reaching the greatest
rate of output in the history of his
plants. This, however, is seen as rea-
son for reimbursement on the ground that
the dealers will have more than enough
| Ford cars to handle the demand for
months to come. Meanwhile the shut
down will prove an economy in the long
run for it will permit the making of new
contracts on supplies or the holding mp
| of those supplies which have already
been ordered. One man who has had
much experience with automobile produc-
| tion and who now is in the government
| here said:
MANY manufacturers would like to
shut down every now and then when
| they reach the peak of their production
and are at the saturation point. They
! try usually TO readjust and retrench.
which is after all difficult and dangerous.
| The safest way is to shut down entirely
and start with a clean slate. This is
undoubtedly what Mr.. Ford has done for
| it is inconceivable that Mr. Ford, who
owns a railroad which connects with one
of the largest coal-producing areas in
the country, should find it difficult to get
enough coal to run his plants"
a Political Crisis
| From a political angle, the news of
Mr.. Ford's action was a subject of some
| discussion, but only as a symptom of
the general complications which the coal
and rail strikes have made for those
members of congress who are up for re-
| election this year. Administration Off
Gals already admit that unless the coun-
| try is in n prosperous condition when
| election time comes vote of protest will
/ inevitably be registered which will helm
| the Democrats and the Republicans may
| lose control of congress. The next 10 or
| IL days will be crucial The feeling in
administration quarters is that industry
is on the verge of a great era of pros
tperity if only the coal and rail strikes
| can be settled. The President on his re-
| turn from the Mayfower gave no new
indication of the course he will follow
(which for the moment appears to be one
/ of waiting to see whether the railroads
| can operate efficiently and carry the coal
(which the bituminous mines are produc-
ling in such great quantities since the
lCleyeland treaty of peace was signed If
the coal being produced cannot be car
| ried, government operation is inevitable,
though it must be understood that the
administration is not committed to that
course and is really making no prepare
| tons in that direction as yet and hopes
some other solution win be found
The situation is not far different from
| that which prevailed when the President
Einvited the miners to resume operations
lunder government protection. 1t became
evident after short time that not
lenough coal was being produced to affect
| the situation very much. Now it re-
mains to be seen whether the deteriora-
Elton of locomotives and equipment is a
Emyth or the truth and whether the coal
| being mined can be carried. When the
! facts are clear, Mr.. Harding will act
and not much sooner