Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-22
FORD WINS SHOALS
BY QUIT TING RACE,
LAWRENCE ASSERTS
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Especial Wire Service to The Journal.)
Copyright 1929


Ford probably will win that which
he has yearned for far more than
the presidency, namely, Muscle
! Shoals.
The inside story of the events lead
ing up to Mr.. Ford's latest pro-
nouncement in favor of President
Coolidge indicates that the automo-
bile king at no time took seriously
the efforts of his friends to get for
him a political nomination, but that
he took no steps to repress them
sooner because he saw an advantage
in exhibiting to congress the polit-
ical strength he could command.
When one of the managers of the
McAdoo boom in South Dakota re-
marked that he was "for McAdoo
for president and Ford for Muscle
Shoals" he gave expression to some
thing that has only lately been i'm
pressed on political Washington. For
Mr.. Ford, it will be recalled, has felt
for several months that he did not
get a square deal on his Muscle
| Shoals proposition and that he could
give the farmers of the country
cheaper fertilizer if the government
would really cooperate with him.
Coolidge Pave Way
The first sign of true cooperation
came from President Coolidge him.
self. The president told the country
in his first message to congress that
he believed Muscle Shoals should be
| privately operated if satisfactory ar
engagements could be made guaran-
teeing that certain experiments
would be carried out and fertilizer
| furnished at low rates. Mr.. Ford
came to the White House after the
message had been prepared, but be-
fore it was made public. No changes
were made in the message, but Mr..
Ford was told of certain plans Tor
the execution of the suggestions
made in the message.
Secretary Wallace, OF the depart
ment of agriculture, had been draft
ing certain bills for introduction IN
cungres which it was hoped would
meet MIR. Ford more than half way
The Detroit manufactures did not
comment on the suggested amend
ments to his offer but he left the
White House in a genial mood. He
had at least been assured of 1alr
consideration of his offer.
Up to that time, there had been
ho1
fear of Mr.. Fords ambitions had
had as much to do with hating the
Muscle Shoals proposition as any
thing else. Mr.. Ford went back to
Detroit and with a single state
ment eliminated himself from the
presidential contest and at the same
time gave the Coolidge campaign its
most significant boost thus far.
The president has been classed as
a conservative. Mr.. Ford has been
looked upon as particularly strong
with the farmers of the country and
the radicals. Yet he finds Mr.. Cool
idge worthy Of support. Mr.. Ford
also opposes the bonus and favors
the Mellon tax plan.
Democrats For Project
Speaking oe Muscle Shoals, it is
interesting to point out in this con-
nection the Democrats have been
lining up in favor Of giving it to Mr..
Ford on proper terms. Bernard M.
Baruch, one Of the leading hackers
of the McAdoo candidacy, and him
self one Of the leading Jews of
America, swept aside consideration
of the anti-Jewish campaign conduct
ed by Mr.. Ford's associates and an
nounced that after a careful study of
the subject by engineers he had es-
pecially employed, the government
should accept Mr.. Ford's offer.
Had President Harding lived he
would have had Mr.. Ford's support
for denomination and reelection. He
4 wrote Mr.. Harding a letter promis-
ing support, though it never was
made public. Mr.. Ford gave then
virtually the same reasons he is CIV
ing now for supporting Mr. Coolidge.
He doesn't want to see the country
disturbed by a presidential contest
His motto, in effect, which may be.
come that Of the Republican candi
date. is. let well enough alone"
FORD'S NAME REMAINS
ON MICHIGAN BALLOT
DETROIT, Mich, Dec. 20.--(By
the Associated Press. )-Henry Ford 6
statement yesterday il, which he de-
clared the country is "safe. with
Coolidge" and announcing that he
will not oppose President Coolidge
ION any ticket whatever" still was
rebounding in Michigan political cir
cles today. Republicans were ex-
uberant and Democrats, including
: those who filed Ford petitions tenn
pered disappointment with relief at
the Qualification of the political at
mosphere.
The coterie of third party sponsors
in some cases was inclined to go
ahead with its plans despite Mr..
Ford's statement. while others indi-
Gated that the Ford statement set
: tied it. Rev. William Dave, of Dear
born, where Mr.. Ford lives, president
5 o fthe original Fort-for-P President
= club, has taken the latter view.
t Meanwhile, there was nothing to
, indicate that Mr.. Ford's name would
: not appear nthe Democratic column
=. on ballots in the Michigan presiden-
T tial preference primary election next