Evening star., 1933-09-06
FORD Mr.. STATUS
BEFORE PRESIDENT
Johnson Advises Executive
of No Change-CoaI
Farley to Resume.
Continued From First Page.)

(Contlnued From F1rSt Page.)
hearing stage was reached on a single
code for nine Of the construction in
dustrys most important divisions.
Awaiting Johnson's attention, and
perhaps the Presidents, too, was the
work Of realigning the NJ r. A. organ
ization for the administrative and en-
forcement phases Of its work. These
the close Of the intensive Blue Eagle
drive on Labor day.
Labor Problem Involved.
Wrapped In the bituminous coal diff
flculties and threading through more
than a score of other recommended
codes was the labor problem, whose
ultimate solution apparently must come
from the President-the question raised
when a provision was written into the
automobile code saying employers may
hire, fire or promote on merit, regard
less Of union Affiliations.
This language was assaulted vigor-
ously by William Green, president Of
the American Federation Of Labor. He
promised to seek its elimination and
fight its inclusion In any other agree
ment.
johnson, who approved the provision
before the automobile code was signed
by President Roosevelt has said since
he may seek an Interpretation Of the
recovery law on this point from Attor-
ney General Cummings.
Gen. Johnson returned to the Cap
ital last night. flying here from Chi
cago. As he left the Illinois city. he
gave no indication that the disincli-
nation OF Henry Ford so far to accept
the automobile code was to bring ac-
ton from the administration.
Its Ford's move" he said. express
ing again the intention to wait until
public opinion In support Of the N. r.
A. program has been brought to bear
upon the manufacturer.
However. the code effective yester-
day for the automobile industry is bind
ing also upon Ford under the law and
should he violate its provisions the ad-
ministrator said. "I'll have to do some
thing"
Ford Pay Exceeds Code.
The general impression in official cir
cles was that Ford would put his en-
ployes upon wages and hours at least
equal or better than those in the code
The compensation now in effect at the
Ford plants is higher than the mini
mum prescribed in the code. It became
known yesterday that wages in the Ford
plants were being pushed upward, many
from 81 to $3.50 a day.
In the laws provisions guaranteeing
to labor the right of collective bargain
ing and the codes stipulation that Ger
tain records of each company must be
open for inspection was seen the prin-
cipal objection of Ford.
johnson pointed out in Chicago that
should Ford's employees organize and
send representatives to negotiate with
the manufacturer and he refuse to meet
them. this would be a direct violation
subject to action by the administration.
AS for the opening of company s
books, Fords production figures are
known generally by the industry, the
most recent ratings placing him second.
The latest monthly registration figures
show $4,000 units for the largest manu-
facturer, 80 900 for Ford and $4,000 for
the third largest producer.
Family Owned Company.
But while the profits of other COM
panies are made public in accounting
to stockholders, since their stocks are
listed on the market, this has been one
of Ford's most closely-guarded secrets.
His is family-owned company and is
not required to make a public showing
of profits and loss.
Discussing this, johnson said the
code may require certain amount of
openness, but wouldn't stand for pry-
ing into any ones business secrets"
Among high administration officials
the opinion was expressed that John
son and President Roosevelt hoped the
Detroit auto magnate would accept the
code for the industry. for they do not
relish a give-andtake battle which
they feel might distract the publics at
tention from the general cooperation