The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-28
THE FARM-FAcTORY PLAN

THE FARM-FACTORY PLAN
 It would be strange indeed if our wonderful industrial expansion should present no opportunity for the testing of new semi-social experiments. It is seen in the development of industrial groupings, in modern housing of en- ployes, in welfare work, cooperative ownerships, and in other directions, some of them well-defined, and some of them beginning only dimly to be perceived. Among the most remark able of such experiments is Henry Ford's plan to establish small factories throughout Michigan, which shall op- crate during the winter time, using farm labor, and releasing the labor to the farms during planting, cultivating and harvesting periods. As Ford cor rectly observes, many farmers are idle practically all winter with no supple mentary sources of income and with no prospect of winter employment un- less they go to some distant city, which would entail neglect of their chores
 
 and livestock during their periods of absence. Under the new plan, the factory would be within easy daily travel of it's employees, who would thus be able to supervise necessary farm activities of the winter, while putting in full time at good wages at the factory.
 Whether the plan is workable or not shall soon be seen, for there is now a measure before the Michigan legisla- ture, with good prospect of passage, which provides that three or more per sons may develop water-power sites anywhere in the state and use or sell the current for industrial or other purposes. Thus Ford would give the same opportunity to others that he desires for himself. That there is a steady march of labor from farm to factory is proved by the figures. That this is a tendency to be regretted is admitted. If the farmers and farm laborers can be contented with the proposed addition to their income, the general result will be to benefit the entire nation, which cannot af- ford to suffer a decline in it's agri- cultural production.
 Good roads, the automobile and the real attachment of the farmer to the soil should be a combination fa- vorable to the success of the farm factory idea. The. disadvantages for merly associated with the idea of iv- ing on farm as compared with the city are disappearing. Rural high schools are as good as city high schools in many states. The farmer can have his own electric lighting and water supply systems. He can have coun- try home even. more attractive and well-furnished than enjoyed by the city man of the same means. If he can supplement the uncertainties of farm profits with definite and sure income during the months in which the farm is unproductive, then is he in far better state than otherwise, and far more apt to be content with his lot.
 Perhaps too great stress is laid upon the discontent of the farmer himself. In many cases it is the farmers wife who insists that the move to the city shall be made, in order that the so- cial opportunities may be enriched, the children receive better education and the income be more dependable. But even the farmers wife is amend ble to persuasion, as is demonstrated by the fact that many women cling to the farm even under the most ad- verse conditions. If she can have all the benefits of the city without sacri- ficing the advantages of the country, it stands to reason that the farmer will not have to stay on the farm alone. Mir. Ford's plan comes at an opportune time in our agricultural history. Its working out will be watched with undisguised interest.