The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-12-23
Hi" Turns
His Guns on.
Henry Ford.
Bluntly Suggests Auto Mans
Withdrawal From 1924
Race Was in Return for
Promise of Shoals.
Won't Give Nomination
BY International News Service.

BY international News Service.
Washington, Dec 22.-Senator Hi
ram Johnson. who thus far is the only
avowed opponent of President Cool
idge for tae republican nomination
at Cleveland next June, opened fire
on Henry Ford tonight for climbing
aboard the Coolidge band wagon.
The California senator bluntly sug-
.gested that Ford's dramatic removal
@f himself from the political stage
was not unconnected with administra-
ton plans for letting the automobile
manufacturer have Muscle Shoals.
American politics present q most
Interesting psychological study"
Johnson's s statement said.
Henry Ford has declared for Mr..
Coolidge, because, as he says, Mr.
Coolidge'is safe.
Immediately the part of the press
Of the country representing special
privilege. which has always de-
nounced and caricatured Mr.. Ford,
gives him certificate of character,
and with open arms welcomes him to
its ranks.
Perhaps the time is propitious for
Emma Goldman and Bill Haywood
TO return, declare for Mr.. Coolidge,
and be acclaimed by the same spec
ial privileges press.
Just Wiien?"
But In the light of Mr.. Ford's g
previous utterances. just when did
Mr.. Coolidge. in Mr.. Fords opinion,
become 'safe?'
"on the 18th of October. after Mr..
Coolidge had been in office for more
than two months, and when Secre-
tary of War Weeks had sold what
Ford claimed TO be a part of the
Muscle Shoals project. Mr.. Ford de-
nounced in. unmeasured terms the
secretary of war. and inferentially,
the administration. as being under
the control of private interests, mimi
cal 10 tile farmers. and the secretary
OF war made an angry rejoinder.
Obviously. according to MIR. Ford,
the administration of Mr. Coolidge
Was then unsafe, and didn't even wish
Nto do right
Thereafter Congressman Madden
fof Illinois) gave to the press the out
line of a measure he would intro
duce in congress, apparently for the
administration. designed to give Mr..
Ford Muscle Shoals, and plant of
like character to that sold by Weeks.
The message of the president on
the sixth of December was not mimi
cal TO this idea. Mr. Madden's bill
was then introduced and is now
pending.
Cannot Control Nomination"
"On the 10Th of December, Mr.. Ford
gives out his safe interview. II MIR.
Coolidge were not safe and il his ad-
ministration were under the influence
of private interests on the 18th of Oc-
tober. as Mr.. Ford plainly said to the
American people, what occurred be-
tween the 18th of October and the
10Th of December. to transmute the
bitter denunciation of Mr.. Ford
against the administration, then, into
enthusiastic advocacy now?
MIR. Ford is entitled, Of course, to
his political opinions; equally. of
course these opinions cannot control
republican nomination.
Mr. Ford was for Mr.. Wilson
when MIR. Wilson was president. Mr..
Ford was for Mr.. Harding when Mr..
Harding was president. Mr. Ford is
for President Coolidge while Mr.. Cool
idge is president.
MIR. Ford is marvellous business
man."
Another development today was the
departure of c. Bascom Slemp, the
presidents secretary. for southern
. trip which has for IT'S principal oh.
iective the ironing out Of several
factiona fights In southern state
among the republicans. Secretary
slelnp will be gone for two weeks.
Ills principal destination is Florida.
but he also will take advantage OF
the opportunity 10 visit Alabama,
Georgia. Mississippi and the Caro-
linas,