The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-12

changing. Men arc shifted about and new methods tried out. Ford and his experts are ever on the alert tor new ideas to cut costs and inn prove productich,
 An contemplating inventor some- times proposes an improvement whtch will tighten the car and ford wll at once ask if the change wlli also make the part stronger. Quite often the inventor overIooks the matter of strength in his efforts to decrease weight, but tord Watches ; both points. One day caller found r'ord in his drafting room intently studying dismantied Ford engine. 1t was set on q block with the mechanism exposed. The visitor asked;
 Are you still trying to improve that enSine?"
 Yes"
 When do you expect to get it done?"
 ,NeVer.'
 A railroad and coal mines were ac- quired as incidents to the production of Ford cars. Likewise water power plants were established for the manufacture of certain parts, Fur thcr purcnases along any line will be determined by the requirements of the business. If Ford should need another railroad to aid him in trans porting material or automobiles he would probably buy it as quickly as he purchased the D. T. eS l., but he would not buy it just for the fun and profit of operating a road.
 These activities are mentioned be- cause they help to understand the man who may become a candidate for the presidency.
 Wanted As Standard Bearer.
 Ford is q unique figure in Ameri- can politics. He is attracting tn. forces of protest against things as they are, just as they were drawn by Bryan and Roosevelt. His strength lies largely in the popular belief that he has become a multi million dire without robbing anybody.
 Protest and revolt surge around question of money just as the prog res of civilization has revolved around money and freedom in all ages. Bryan with his cross of gold and free silver speeches and Roose- welt ill his attacks on malefactors Of great wealth. are conspicuous mod ern instances of how quickly a fol- lowing can be gathered by anybody who promises financial advantages to the people, or proposes to protect them from predatory interests.
 Ford has not made any promises, but he has attacked and criticised in- terests that masses of people regard as common enemies. Therefore he has become the SpoKesman of the si- .ent masses who have not been able to express themselves ill any strik- ing way since the days of Roosevelt. How far this feeling of revolt ex- tends, and how strong it may be-, cannot oe determined now. With many 1t is merely sort of blind Rrase at something that affects the pocket book. Masses feel that they are in the grip Of some invisible pow CT that raises rents, increases the cost of living and prevents higher wages. Because Ford is liberal in paying his men, and because he has not taken advantage of others in business transactions, many have chosen him their champion.
 Whether the people are actually being exploited is not the real uues- ton. Millions think they are, and rord could be made president he would give relief to those who are oppressed. He has been instinctiveiy chosen IS the Moses to lead the peo- pIe out of an economic wilderness into a better land. Details are not discussed very much.
 Myron T. Herrick once made re-
 
 tions eventually lead to cash box. And he is right. But the trouble is lot of people don't see the con nection. Three big questions are go- ing to loom large in the coming campalgn-money, or the better con trol of currency; the railroad situa- ton, and the enforcement of prohi- bltion. There will be other issues, but the three indicated are the headliners. They all lead back to the money chest.
 Currency And Raiirond Platform.
 Ford's platform when formulated will deal with q sounder and more elastic currency, and improved rail- road facilities with lower prices. A year ago when the writer asked MT. Ford what he would do if he had full control of the railroads he shot back:
 Cut the rates in half and move people ana merchandise. Business is stagnant because of the congestion due to the high freight and passenger rates"
 That is exactly the same principle that guides him in making and sell ing automobiles-low prices and big production.
 Let this be made clear however. What Ford said q year ago may not pc ms view now or Tn the future. But the quotation shows that he had a quick remedy for conditions existing then, which indicates that he will have remedy for every situation as fast as it arises. It is quite impos- sible to anticipate all tile problems that may be before the nation in two years, and therefore it is diffi- cult to even suggest a platform for Mir. Ford. This much is clear, how - ever, He will always be ready with plan in behalf of the greatest num- Der and he will have the courage tc put the plan into operation.