"THE COUNTRY IS PERFECTLY SAFE WITH COOLIDGE"

HENRY FORD MAY BE A CANDIDATE, BUT...

Lansing, Michigan (JFK+50) On December 19, 1923, "nominating petitions entering Calvin Coolidge and Henry Ford as candidates in the presidential primary next April were accepted by the department of state."

President Coolidge was nominated on the republican ticket while Henry Ford was named on the democratic slate.

Henry Ford said...

"I believe it is the wise and natural thing for the people to agree on the nomination and election of Mr. Coolidge."

Mr. Ford went on to say "that the country is perfectly safe with (Mr. Coolidge)."

SOURCE

"Ford Urges Choice of Coolidge in '24," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 19, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Calvin Coolidge

President of the United States

1923-1929

"SOLD FOR $3.472 MIL TO ALABAMA POWER COMPANY"

HENRY FORD ISSUES STATEMENT CRITICAL OF GOVERNMENT SALE OF GORGAS STEAM PLANT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 12, 1923, Secretary of War John W. Weeks* brought along with him to a cabinet meeting a statement issued the previous evening by automaker Henry Ford critical of the government's sale of the Gorgas Steam Plant** (Muscle Shoals properties) to the Alabama Power Company for $3,472,487.

Mr. Ford blamed "political influence" preventing Ford Motor Company's acquisition of the properties.

The War Secretary expressed his resentment of the Ford statement and pledged he would take the matter up with President Calvin Coolidge.

*John Wingate Weeks (1860-1926) was born in Lancaster NH & served as mayor of Newton, Masssachusetts 1902-1903, US House of Representatives 1905-1913, US Senate 1913-1919, Secretary of War 1921-1925.

**Gorgas Steam Plant, located in Walker County, Alabama was closed in 2019.  It was the oldest coal-fired plant in the state originally owned by the Alabama Power Co. since the 1920s. 

SOURCE

"Grave Charge By Ford Put Before President," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., October 12, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Plant Gorgas

Walker County, Alabama

Alabama News Center

www.alabamanewscenter.org/

PD-US

"HENRY FORD SHALL BE STOPPED AT ALL HAZARDS"

POLITICAL LEADERS MAKE IT CLEAR, HENRY FORD NOT WANTED AS PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 8, 1923, Robert T. Small of the Sunday Star reports that "there is every evidence of a gentleman's agreement being formed among democrats and republican political leaders against Henry Ford for President."

Republicans are clearly behind President Warren G. Harding's renomination in 1924 and expected re-election.  The Democrats, according to Small, are "talking big" against the "flivver multi-millionaire" but have "a wholesome fear" of his potential candidacy.

"As matters stand today," writes Small, "there is a tacit understanding...that Henry Ford shall be stopped at all hazards."

SOURCE

"He Shall Not Pass, Old Party Chiefs Defiance To Ford," by Robert T. Small, The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., July 8, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Henry Ford

1919

Library of Congress 

"JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IS A DISTANT SECOND"

HENRY FORD STILL THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD

New York City (JFK+50) On May 5, 1923, The Alaska Daily Empire reports automaker Henry Ford* "now has a fortune estimated between $600,000,000 and S$750,000,000."

While Wall Street has previously recognized Mr. Ford as the "richest man in the world," the publication of Ford Motor Company assets confirms that assessment.

FMC assets as of May 1923 total $536,000,000.

Coming in a distant second is oil magnate John D. Rockefeller who has a fortune estimated at a mere $300,000,000.

*Henry Ford (1863-1947) was born in Springwells, Michigan & founded Ford Motor Company.  HF developed mass production of automobiles which made them affordable to the middle class.

SOURCE

"Concede Henry Ford Richest Man In World," The Alaska Daily Empire, May 5, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Henry Ford

1919

Photo by Hartsook

Library of Congress

 

"IF HE GOES TO THE WHITE HOUSE, HE GOES WITHOUT ME"

MRS. FORD WOULD NOT LIVE IN THE WHITE HOUSE IF HENRY FORD BECAME POTUS

Albany, Georgia (JFK+50) On April 9. 1923, the Evening Star reports an Associated Press front page story that "Mrs. Henry Ford* will not live at the White House" if her husband was ever elected President of the United States.

Mrs. Ford revealed this information to a group of people here in Albany last evening when they expressed the desire to support her husband for high office.

Mrs. Ford said...

"If Henry (Ford)** really went to the White House to live there, he would have to go without me."

JFK+50 NOTE

The source for this post does not reveal the reasons why Mrs. Ford would not have wanted to live at the White House.  To our knowledge, no First Lady has ever refused to live there with her husband although some have spent a good deal of time traveling or staying in other places.  

Jacqueline Kennedy was appalled with the furnishings in the Executive Mansion during her tour with Mrs. Eisenhower and she often let it be known that she didn't particularly care for living with her family in a fishbowl.

*Clara Bryant Ford (1866-1950) was born in Wayne County, Michigan & married Henry Ford in April 1888.  The couple had one child, Edsel.  CBF was an active suffragist & was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.

**Henry Ford (1863-1947) was born in Springwell Township, Michigan & founded Ford Motor Company & developed the assembly line technique of mass-producing automobiles.

SOURCE

"Will Not Live in White House, Wife of Henry Ford Declares," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., April 9, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Mrs. Henry Ford

Photo by Bain News Service

Library of Congress

"LEAVE ALL FORMS OF LIQUOR ALONE AT ALL TIMES"

FORD CRACKS DOWN ON EMPLOYEES WHO DRINK BEER, WINE OR LIQUOR

Detroit, Michigan (JFK+50) On September 11, 1922, Henry Ford* issued orders to 70,000 Ford Motor Company employees "to leave all forms of liquor...alone at all times under penalty of losing their jobs."

Mr. Ford said that recent accidents at his automobile plants had been caused by "drinking among certain...employees."

The notice reads...

"From now on it will cost a man his job...to have the odor of beer, wine or liquor on his breath."

*Henry Ford (1863-1947) was born in Springwells Township, MI, founded the Ford Motor Company, developed the assembly line method of production & his 'Model T' revolutionized American transportation.  

SOURCE

"Liquor Drinkers In Ford Factories To Be Discharged," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 11, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Henry Ford

Photo by Hartsook (1919)

Library of Congress

"IF THE PEOPLE DESIRE HIM TO DO SO"

HENRY FORD CONSIDERING A RUN FOR PRESIDENT

Detroit, Michigan (JFK+50) On June 5, 1922, Associated Press reports Henry Ford* "has intimated privately" that he is considering running for the office of President of the United States "if the people of the country desire him to do so."

The report goes on to state that Mr. Ford does not intend to spend a penny in an attempt to bring about his own nomination or election.

The AP gives the name William T. Kronberg** as the source of its report.

*Henry Ford (1863-1947) was born in Springwells Township, Michigan & educated at Detroit Business Institute.  HF founded Ford Motor Company & developed the assembly line technique of mass producing automobiles.

**William T. Kronberg founded the Dearborn Press.  Its first issue was circulated on June 14, 1918.  DP remains the oldest still-published newspaper in Dearborn.

SOURCES

"Ford Would Campaign For President Should The People So Desire," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 5, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Newspaper's name, address change but not its local mission," Press and Guide, September 28, 2004, www.pressandguide.com/

 

 

Portrait of Henry Ford

Library of Congress (1919) 

"WITH EDISON, FIRESTONE & FORD, OH MY!"

A CAMPING OUTING PLANNED FOR THE HARDINGS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 22, 1921, it was learned the President and Mrs. Warren G. Harding were "contemplating a weekend camping trip" in the vicinity of Hagerstown, Maryland.

The First Couple were to be guests of Bishop Anderson of Cincinnati and Harvey S. Firestone of Akron, Ohio.  Thomas A. Edison and Henry Ford were to participate. The guest list totaled twenty campers.

The First Lady had been suffering from "a slight attack of ptomaine poisoning*," so the camping trip was contingent on her being able to make the trip.

*ptomaine poisoning, or acute gastrointestinal illness, is caused by consumption of food with harmful agents/bacteria.

SOURCE

"Hardings Preparing to Camp With Edison, Ford and Firestone," The New York Tribune, July 23, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

President Harding & Fellow Campers

1921-1923

Library of Congress Photo