Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-09-16
100000 To Be
THROWN OUT Of
WORK BY FORD s
PLANTS CLOSING
Detroit Manufacturer Took
Steps to Shut Down His
Automobile Factories, Be-
ginning Last Night,
SAVE YOUR MONEY! IS
ADVICE TO EMPLOYEES
Action Believed to Have
Been Brought About by
High Prices He Is Being
Charged for Coal

l1tllOlL. 4hlSli's ptpt' 10 VII y
Ford late today took steps to close
his Detroit automobile plants. be-
ginning tonight. thereby throwing
upwards of 100000 workmen in
the Detroit district out of employ
ment for an indefinite period. He
asked officials of the Detroit street
railway to rear Inge its schedules
to care for the night forces at his
various factories, who will be dis
missed at II o'clock, it was an
nounced.
Announcement of the intended
closing came from officials of the
street railway company. No Off
cial statement from Mr.. Ford or
his executives was forthcoming
late today, it having been stated
this morning at the Ford offices
that the manufacturer announce
ment several weeks ago that he
would close September 16 would
stand" unless he altered his plans.
The railway company. it was
announced, was requested to con-
Centrate its cars at the Highland
Park and other Ford plants at II
O'clock tonight to carry the shifts
finishing work at that hour, as
we'll as those reporting for work,
to their homes. The day shifts will
be dismissed at the end of the
working day tomorrow, the street
railway company was informed.
Small Plants to Close.
simultaneously it was announced
n number of smaller manufactur-
ing concerns here that supply the
Ford plants with parts and access
sories, will close. These companies
employ upwards Of 10000 men.
The Ford workers to be thrown out
of employment total approximately
10000.
Mr.. Ford announced several
weeks ago that he would close his
Detroit plants September 16 be-
cause of the coal situation. He de-
MED a real coal shortage existed
and charged certain coal brokers
were demanding an exorbitant
price for fuel. He said that rather
than nay these prices he would
close his plants for an indefinite
period
Ford motor, company foremen
lreceived instructions this afternoon
TO advise all workers under their
charge to "save their money and
i've as economically as possible"
during the suspension. Many work
ers said they took this to mean the
closing might be protracted.
Operations VIII Cease.
according to word received by
the street railway officials from
Mr.. Ford, practically all operations
IN the Ford plants here will have
ceased by late afternoon tomorrow.
Upwards Of 10000 men will be
thrown out Of employment at the
Highland Park plant, largest of
1.-THE companys industrial enterpris-
es. At River Rouge about $4,000
will be obliged to quit. About
1000 men will be kept at work
there firing the coke ovens. To
permit these ovens to grow cold
would ruin them, Mr.. Ford said in
his original statement announcing
the contemplated shut down.
Approximately 10000 Ford
workers are employed in the Dear
born and Worthwhile plants of the
company and at the Lincoln Motor
company plant. also owned by
Mr.. Ford.
Notices Posted.
Mr.. Ford ordered posted in the
Highland Park plant late today
notices to all members of the day
shift that they were to turn in
their tools tomorrow. a large num-
ber Of employees, including shop
foremen, told newspaper men.
From the same source it was learn
ed notices had been posted an
nouncing the Ford trade school,
where the manufacturer trains
mechanics, would close tomorrow.
This school remained in operation
during the Ford shut down Of 1920
and 1921.
Mr.. Ford and his company exec
utives were in conference here to-
day. It was reported a plan was
being discussed whereby a part of
the tractor plant at Dearborn
might be kept open, but these re-
ports could not be confirmed.
Attempts on the part Of business
men and others here today to OBJ
tain an official statement from Mr..
Ford as to his plans met with fall
ure.
Twenty-Five thousand Ford en-
ployes throughout the country out
side of Detroit will be affected by
the closing order, Mr.. Ford said
in his first statement announcing
the contemplated shut down. In
addition there will be many others,
he said, at that time, who will be
obliged to lay down their tools or
work but part time. These are
workers employed by concerns
dependent upon the Ford company
for business. Those directly and
indirectly affected by the closing
are variously estimated by Ford
officials to total between several
hundred thousand and two mill
lion" The estimate was made
several weeks ago when the man
ufacturer made his first announce
ment.
r.. G.. Liebold, secretary to Mr.
Ford, said today the manufacturer
might make a public statement to-
morrow.
Arraigned Coal Brokers.
Since his original statement an
nouncing his contemplated shut
down, Mr.. Ford repeatedly. In
supplemental statements and in
terviews, has criticised government
tai agencies for the manner In
which they have apportioned coal
supplies. He also has arraigned
certain coal brokers whom he as
serts " are to blame for the coal
He charged these brok-
ers were demanding twice and in
some cases three times the normal
price for fuel.