Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-05-20

frankly admit in confidence that they
do not know Just how to go about
fighting the spread Of the Ford senti-
ment They have found that senti-
ment in unexpected places. They
looked for II and were prepared to
discount 1t in some sections, but they
find that the Ford bug" or whatever
1t is, has spread far beyond anything
they had suspected. There Is no rea-
soning with 1t. When man says:
I'm for Henry Ford" he just keeps
on being for Henry Ford. no matter
what arguments you may bring to
bear against his choice.
Conscious of the rise of the Ford
tide. the old party generals, neverthe-
less, are afraid to attack him openly
lest they bring the movement to
focus and start the formation of
machine which might assume over
whelming proportions and by the ides
of 1924. 1t Is a battling situation; one
that Is trying the ingenuity OF the
men whose craft and leadership have
brought them to the top councils OF
their respective parties.
Harrison Aids Ford.
The Ford boom was worrisome
enough to the politicians. even be-
fore Senator Pat Harrison came In
like young Lochinvar from the west
and announced that Uncle henry
was very much on the political map
and was a factor to be dealt with In
all earnestness in connection with
the next presidential campaign. Sen
ator Pat did not say that he himself
favored Henry Ford. but he also did
not say that he would bolt the ticket
if the Detroit Croesus should be
| the nominee.
Senator Harrisons report, when
merely coincided with other informa-
ton reaching the capital. neverthe-
! less sent cold shivers down the back
bones of the political bigwigs. II
so happens that important CONFER
! ences both of republicans and demo-
| Gratis have been held in Washington
| during the past week. One or the
| gatherings was at the White House;
the other centered about William
| Gibbs McAdoo, who came to Wash
| ington to attend the unwilling OF a
| statue at the Treasury Department
over which he once presided, but
who remained to talk turkey with
some of the men who attempt TO
| shane the affairs of the democracy.
Both conferences tried mighty hard
not to even think of Henry Ford,
| but both failed.
Refuses to Quit.
Mr.. Ford, in the meantime, refuses
! to be smoked out of the unassailaole
position in which he finds himseH.
To all inquiries, he replies that he mas
no political aspirations; that he mas
given the question Of party no espe-
cial consideration. and that he Is sure
ANYWAY that the interests" and wan
street In particular. would never
consent" to his becoming the CHIEF
MAGISTRATE of the land. Persons VINO
have visited the motor magnate and
talked privately with him say that
If he Is to become President OF the
United States, he will have to be
drafted; that he will not go out and
dxht for the nomination of either
party.
II Is considered a foregone conclu-
sion here that President Harding Will
he renominated by the republicans IL
he still wants to make the race when
1924 arrives. There is plenty Of or
gauization work yet to be done II the
President is to get the nomination
without any unseemly struggle, but
work on an organization has been
begun and will be carried forward
with a full realization of the extern
sive labor involved.
Democratic Race Open.
The democratic race, on the otner
hand, is an exceedingly open one, and
therefore just to the liking OF inc
men who would like to see Henry
Ford nominated. There was nothing
new in Senator Harrison's statement
that most of the delegates from the
southern states might easily turn 70
Henry Ford at the democratic conven-
ton. This has been true ever since
Ford offered to take over the Muscle
Shoals government project and make
fertilizer for the farmer at rate
lower than he has ever known before.
1t Is no argument with the southern
farmers to say that Ford can't DO
It." They say he can. and THAT ends
the argument. The southern farmers
believe that Ford has been mistreated
at Washington about the Muscle
shoals project They have not ex-
amined the details of his offer; they
have made no study of the govern
ment obligations or the economies in
volved. They only believe in the
magic Of Henry Ford.
This belief in Ford's ability to do
things, however, Is not confined to
the south. The state Of Michigan
gives him permission to appropriate
such waterpower as he desires. he
plans tremendous plant near st.
Paul, Mimi. and Immediately the citt-
zens of St Paul acclaim Ford and say
he should have all the privileges he
requires.
Welcome Everywhere.
Henry Ford is welcome everywhere
as q manufacturer; where will he be
welcome as a presidential candidate?
That he Is the richest man in the
world Is no barrier: The old VIZ
ginia farmer, who hates plutocrats
and multi-millionaires, surprised q
very astute Washington politician.
travelling incognito in the Old Do
minion. a few days ago, by telling
him he was for Henry Ford and that
Henry Ford was the only friend the
| farmer or the workinsman had among
The Ford political flood Is the
politicians have had to deal with. and
| they are baffied by 1t. What will
come Of the rushing waters Of blind
| sentiment" or misguided enthu-
siasm" for an 'tmpracticable candi-
date"-or anything you choose 70 call #
| tell.
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