Evening star., 1932-10-29

Henry Fords statement that "Presi-
dent Hoover must be reelected" has
been variously interpreted and has be-
come a matter of national controversy
because of differing interpretations
placed upon his words. To some it Is
a legitimate expression of opinion on
the campaign, while to others it Is
dlctation to employees.
Business needs certainty, WELL
marked road. and will suffer from un-
certainty and doubt" says the Rochester
Times-Union independently with the
conclusion that Mr.. Ford is supporting
President Hoover because he believes
his reelection is best for the country"
From a different point OF view, the
Charlotte Observer independent Demo-
crat points out that a similar attitude
has been taken by other men of large
business interests, including Charles
Schwab, w. w. Atterbury and Lamont
DUPONT, and voices the belief that Mr..
Ford makes small concealment of his
purpose to draw his men after him, for
he has projected himself into the field
as a radio campaigner." The Observer
thinks that Mr.. DUPONT. representing
the General Motors Co., lis not minded
to influence the men in his branch of
the industry to follow his example, "
and concludes: The men in Mr.
Ford'S employ, as rule, rate high in
intelligence, and the intelligent Ameri-
can is likely to resent any dictation as
to how he shall cast his vote"
The Ford statement that these are
our convictions, and we submit them to
the serious consideration of all Ford
employees throughout the country and
their families" is quoted by the Lincoln
State Journal independent Republi-
CAM with the belief that "couched in
such terms, it is difficult to understand
how anyone outside the campaign
managers for Roosevelt could read into
it any deliberate attempt at coercion" !"
On the other hand. the Newark Eve
ming News independently offers the
Judgment THE correct doctrine IS
stated by Charles Edison, head of the
Thomas A. Edison industries, and
Thomas N. Carter, president of the
Public Service Corporation. Mr. Edison
recognizes that every citizen has the
right to vote according to his own
ideas and opinions With characteristic
forcefulness, MIR. McCarter says the
Public Service employees are pretty
intelligent lot and are capable Of
weighing the apparent values of plat
form and candidates without 'any
1TO1I1 IIle 4IloC
good tip for all the bosses"
x X X x
"If employees believe in the fairness
and honesty of purpose of their en-
ployer," declares the Cincinnati Times
Star (Republican) they will pay con-
siderable attention to what he says
about an election. If they do not be-
lieve in him, it is safe to say that
nothing he says will have result un-
less it be in a direction opposite to that
he had planned. Free speech lies at
the very basis of the American political
system. Republicans, Democrats, So
cialists, Prohibitionists, Communists
all have the right to present their case
to the workers It would be a strange
idea of free speech if the managers of
business had to keep silent at the
approach of an election which in their
opinion threatened grave results to the
industry and to those dependent upon
it for their livelihood"
x X X X
On the other side of the controversy,
the Baltimore Sun independent Demo-
craft asserts: There is a good deal of
resentment at Mr.. Ford for making a
speech which is certain to be in
terpreted by his employees as instruc-
ton such as too many American en-
ployers feel free to hand out to the
help. Newton D. Baker thinks there
ought to be laws to prevent it, but q
more practical way would be demon
strations such as we are probably go
ing to see that such advice will do no
good. The predictions of panic, should
Mr.. Roosevelt be elected, may prove a
dangerous excess of zeal, since, strange
as It may seem, there are some people
who really believe things like this, even
in the Autumn of presidential years"
"The point is" according to the Min
neapQljs Tribune (independent). .that