The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-08-23
Think Again. Mr.. Ford.

Mr. Ford is at it again. generalzing about prohibi-
ton HIS statements are becoming so extreme that
they are losing their propaganda power.
Prohibition is now SO per cent effective he says IN
an article in The Pictorial Review. Conditions now
are so to so per cent better than two years ago.
1t is significant that Mr. Ford speaks in figures
significant in proving that there is factual basis for
his statements For there are adequate statistics of
Of any kind anywhere in this country to determine the
total liquor consumption the relationship of prohibi-
ton to crime or any other of the major questions in
dispute.
No informed wet leader and no informed dry would
make his cause ridiculous by quoting nonexiSting
statistics, as Mr. Ford does.
Obviously he is ignorant on the subject Of prohi-
bton statistics and the detailed problems of prohi-
otion enforcement
But he is not ignorant as a manufacturer Of auto
mobiles; he is almost a genius. Therefore he has
right to an opinion regarding the effects Of prohibition
on industry
And as an industrialist he favors prohibition be-
cause in his judgment it makes better workers. makes
possible the eight-hour day, and other labor gains
His view is worthy OF consideration as that OF one
eminent man in the automobile industry even though
the eighhour day is not limited to this country But
the intelligent reader Will balance against his opinion
the opinions of men connected with the less sue
cessfl General Motors company, the Raskobs and Du
Points, who oppose prohibition.
And, in the face OF such contradictory judgments,
the intelligent reader is apt to conclude that sweep
ing congratulations and "99 per cent statements on
either side are out of place.
The most interesting part of the Ford statement,
however is the somewhat shrill threat that he
would close his plants and go out of business if this
country again legaized liquor That spirit of renunci
alton, surely is calculated to impress the public.
st would not be bothered with the problem, of
handling more than 100000 men and trying to pay
them wages which the saloons would try to take away
from them" he says. q wouldn't be interested in
putting automobiles in the hands of generation soggy
with drink"
Well, we'll Does that Mr.. Ford is calling off
his extensive operations in Canada, in England, In
Germany and other countries where there is no proh-
btion? Is he going to close his foreign factories
rather than employ men who get their liquor over
a counter instead of from hootlegger? Is he going
to stop the export of Fords rather than risk them to
foreign populations "soggy with drink?"
Does Mr. Ford what he says?
As for putting automobiles in the hands Of drunk
ards he must know that there is intoxcaton In
"drv" America than in wet" Europe. On the very
day his statement appeared, the department OF COM
nerce announced 10 per cent increase in deaths
from automobile accidents for the year ended Aug TO-
compared with the preceding year. And that in
the period for which Mr. Ford claims 80 or 60 per
cent" improvement in prohibition conditions.
Think again, Mr.. Ford!