Evening star., 1933-08-31
Rate by Mau-Payable in Advance.
Other States and Canada
Member of the Associated Press.
Mr.. Ford and the N. R. A.


would doubtless relish the spectacle OF
a knock down and drag out affair be-
tween two such powerful forces as
Henry Ford and the N. R. A. But the
wise heads at the N. r. A., OF course,
foresee the embarrassing potentialities
in trying to force an issue with Mr..
Ford, and Mr.. Ford is too sagacious a
citizen to invite fight which might be
easily avoided. The reasonable course
would be compromise leaving both
parties in possession Of the principles
which for the time being seem to keep
them apart. One of Mr.. Fords prin-
ciples Is individualism, of which he has
made q success.
Mr.. Ford's ace has been revealed in
his statement not long ago that he
would have to Give down" to the code
whereas some other manufacturers
would have to live up to its provisions
II the facts behind such an assertion
should reveal that Mr.. Ford's own code,
independently practiced, is already a
better code for his employees than the
automobile code now in the process OF
being drawn, and If he should in the
end decline to sign the new code and
thus repudiate the protective device OF
the Blue Eagle, the fight, If any there
should be, would be over the compare
lively unimportant issue of conform
70 ,.;t
Gen. johnson, with characteristic
bluntness, has said something about the
American public's cracking down. on
Mr.. Ford should the Blue Eagle not
be displayed on his automobiles when
all others carry them. In other words,
the boycott. And there is the undis-
puted fact that the Government has
the power, yet unused, to license nom
conforming members of group, the
majority of which has voluntarily ac-
cepted the code.
OF course, Mr.. Ford, as powerful a
figure as he is in one Of the leading
industries of the country, could not
expect to withstand all the forces that
conceivably might be used against him.
At the same time. the aims Of the
recovery act are to increase purchaS-
ing power and put more men to work.
q punitive instrument to be used against
individuals The Government and the
people might "crack down" on Mr..
Henry Ford as an individual but the
effect would not be felt by Mr.. Ford
as an individual. The brrnt Of the
stroke, if any were intended, would be
borne by the tens of thousands of
men whose livelihood depends upon
the public's acceptance Of Mr.. Ford's
products. The N. r. A. would tend
to lose strength and prestige If it
forced men out of work, which would
be the result of punitive moves In the
direction Of Dearborn.
Perhaps the rites of Blue Eagle dis
play and the signing of codes are an
altogether necessary part Of the broad
movement represented in the N. r. A.
campaign. It Is undeniable that the
N. R. A. can play no favorites nor make
exceptions. But it would be unfortunate
II the mere display of the Blue Eagle
came to surpass in Importance the
actual compliance with principles for
which the bird stands. If one has won
the honor of Blue Eagle display. that
should be the thing. The display OF
the Blue Eagle ought to be left to In
dividual preference.
There ought to be no fight between
Mr.. Ford and the N. r. A. Both OF
them play a very important part III
the industrial welfare of the country.
The surest way to bring about fight
with Mr.. Ford, though, is to threaten
him. 1t is human for him to resent 1t,
and it is possible that many would join
in his resentment.