Evening star., 1923-10-24

The controversy between Secretary
of War Weeks and Henry Ford be-
cause of the recent sale of the Gorgas
power plant at Muscle Shoals. fol-
lowed by the announcement that
Ford very probably will be the pro-
hibition party's candidate for Presi-
dent next year once more brought
the Detroit millionaire very much
into the limelight. Ford because of
his attack on Secretary Weeks. has
utterly eliminated himself from con-
sideration by the republicans as
presidential timber" editors gener-
ally agree. He has 'passively" ac-
cepted designation on the Nebraska
democratic primary ticket How far
that will go editors admit they are
decidedly puzzled. Now comes a.
strong intimation that Ford person
ally would prefer to run as an inde-
pendent and that nationwide
movement to place him before the
country in that capacity will be
initiated right after the first OF the
year. All in all Ford once again
dominates the domestic news through
out the country.
So far as the sale OF the Gorgas
plant was concerned. II Is the opin son
of The Star that the Ford statement
attacking the Weeks motive therein
farmers" and that 'Mr. Fori's motive
In making his reckless assertions Is
perfectly PLAIN" especially since in
dications crop out from time to time
that he will yet have to be accounted
for in the presidential race. and very
bo b1u an indanandenf" The
Lynchburg Advance (democratic) in
its turn Is convinced that 'the vicious
attack on Secretary Weeks and the
announcement that Ford would re-
turn the excess profits he made on
government contracts during the war,
according to political leaders, can
mean only one thing: Ford wants to
be President. However. some good
may come out of Ford's statement, in
reference to Weeks It may force an
state of affairs at Muscle Shoals"
Ford Is an active presidential candi-
date, the New York Tribune (re-
publican) insists. and this fact
.complicates the situation for the
democratic politicians. The question
Ford. Presumably the majority of
them do not. Even the American
Willingness to try anything once
would scarcely lead the voters to ac-
cept Henry Ford as their Presiuent.
** y
/ 'Tf Mr.. Ford was in earnest in
| wanting a nomination" the Lincoln
State Journal independent republic
any feels. he would have begun an
active battle for the delegates long
ago and In the Straightforward busi-
ness like methods he would use in
| buying a factory or a mine OF In
| selling his cars to the public. A
sidewtse launching of his boom does
not seem In accord with Mr.. Ford's
character. He Is not subtle enough
| for that" But Ford, as the Ashe-
vile Times independently sees him
LIS a threat to existing party, align
| ments," while the Pittsburgh Press
| {independent} sees In his planned re-
turn of war profits something which
l. matter of fact souls may view as a
new way of buying the presidency
: incidentally, If his claim is true. and
| he 4only made a fair profit" from his
!, war time transactions, the. Rockford
Star independently can see no reason
| for any such repayment unless "in
| the form Of conscience money for ar
I overcharge." Leaving all this aside
| as out OF the picture, however. the
4 New York Evening World (demo
1 cratic) insists "the issues that would
most interest the country in q presi.