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XVIII. Edsel Ford
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CHAPTER XVIII EDSEL FORD "THERE is one job in this war I do not want and will not take, and that is the job of a rich man's son." It wasEdsel Ford whomade this statement to me and the circumstances which called it forth, together with the tone of sincerity and righteous indignation in which it was uttered, left upon my mind an indelible impression, — the impression that I was in the presence of a man whose character, patriotism, courage and ideals were such as to make the martyrdom which he was suffering at the time one of the most unjust and barbarous cruelties inflicted during the war. And it was a martyrdom, as we knew who saw him day after day going steadily and silently about his work, facing the great problems and shouldering the enormous responsibilities involved in changing over from 179 HENRY FORD a peace basis to a one hundred per cent, war basis one of the largest industries in the country. It was at the time that Edsel Ford wasbeing scored by his critics for not offering himself for military service that I had a talk with him concerning the matter during which he made the statement above quoted. Before recording more fully what passed between us at that time, there are one or two things which ought to be stated, which will go a long way toward explaining Edsel Ford's action at that time. Edsel Ford was a mere boy in his 'teens when his father began to train him for the management of the business which sooner or later would devolve upon him. It was arranged that the boy should acquire by actual experience a thorough, practical knowledge of both office and shop. It was Mr. Ford's purpose to share his responsibilities with his son as fast as the latter was able to assume them. Edsel Ford did not go to college. It is my impression that he did not care to do so. I know his father was not eager for him to have 180 [3.226.254.255] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 19:20 GMT) EDSEL FORD a university training. The son remained at home and followed to the letter his father's plans in regard to his practical education. He was a boy clean in mind and habits, and of exceptional strength of character. Few young men have been as little influenced by prospective millions as he. Two or three things happened during the war which for a time had a decided effect on Henry Ford's interest in and attitude toward his business in Highland Park. First of all, with the outbreak of the war in 1914, he became an ardent pacifist, and devoted a great deal of his time to propaganda and measures of one kind and another which he honestly and sincerely believed at the time would tend to shorten that conflict. He was so absorbed in his pacifist undertakings — the Peace Ship, for example — that his mind was more or less withdrawn from his business. Another matter that tended to lessen his interest in the Highland Park plant was the development of a farm tractor at the Dearborn shops. I think the tractor, because of its utility , appealed to him more than the car. 181 HENRY FORD Then came the building of the Rouge plant which ultimately involved him in litigation with some of the stockholders of his company. This litigation seemed to arouse in him at times a feeling of antagonism toward the plant at Highland Park, so much so that he seemed on the point of starting the manufacture of another car; did announce, if my memory serves me rightly, that he had the establishment of another plant and the building of another car in mind. At any rate, his interest in affairs at Highland Park, to all appearances, were on the wane. He cameinfrequently to his office. He was more than ordinarily difficult to reach. The result was that to Edsel Ford the executives of the company turned more and more for important decisionsin the shaping or approval of policies affecting the conduct of the business. Back of the son was the father, of course, and doubtless no action of great importance was taken without the father's knowledge and advice , but the fact remains that the approach to the father for a long time was, as a rule, through the son. In short, the son came to be regarded...