Highland Park Plant 1915

Hawkins Mr. Ford wants to give a $50 rebate if we sell 300,000 cars. Since that is very likely, that's $15,000,000 thrown away. Couzens It's worth it, a million in advertising Hawkins And it will help your political career. Mr. Couzens, the five dollar day gave us a million in advertising, why do we need another million? Couzens They go together. The buyer doesn't want the car's price reflects an enormous wage given to immigrant labor. Hawkins This impulsive philanthropy is a flash in the pan compared to the foundation we can build for the future with $15,000,000. The competition is at our mercy if we make a higher price model. You and Ford have fantastic power at your grasp, real power! Instead Ford frets over his tractor and you Couzens I'm sick and tired of you lecturing me! This real power you talk about, that's just money power, statistics power, market power, and that power can do nothing to change the face of human suffering. When I thought of the five dollar day, I thought it would please everyone. It did please our workers, but then 10,000 poor suffering men came from hundreds of miles expecting to get a job with us at five dollars. And if we hadn't sprayed water on those freezing bastards, they'd have killed the men who did work for us. This Company can set a good example for other companies, but most men in business, like you, are motivated by greed. I did all I did because I knew I was to become a millionaire. Now I am more than a millionaire, but powerless. Men accept or reject my example at whim. The force of law, Hawkins, there's the power I want. Politics stinks but so did this business before I re-made it. Hawkins I'll vote for you Jim, but let me lay my cards down: if you stand up for a few basic business principles now, I'll have some power, when you leave, to stop Ford from running the Company into the ground! Couzens Get out of my sight! And my name to you will always be Mister Couzens! There's no more fun in the Ford Motor Company. For me, it's just a pain, a damn pain. |
MARCH 31,315
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Ford Charlie, Couzens wants guns not tractors Sorensen He thinks the war's that bad? Ford There shouldn't be any war. He wants guns not tractors. Sorensen A good tractor is as good as guns to the British Ford A bunch of English reporters came over the other day. I should have told them this war is stupid. Sorensen Yeah, trenches are no good. The British should sneak around the Germans. Ford My mother took walks where that tractor plant's going up. I asked her why my father had so many brother and she didn't. They all got killed in the war! That's why! |

Assemble Bodies on third floor and Bodies lower onto chassis on the John R Street Line |
Couzens You know what your're headed for? We'll get into this war and they'll make you make guns. But with all this peace gab, you'll either say no and go to jail, or make a fool of yourself. Ford When I go to my garage in the morning three men are there asking for jobs; some preacher's always at the gate asking for money; then I get to my office and a dozen hacks line up waiting for my gab. They all forgive a fool, if the fool's rich. Couzens You're a cynic! I took you for an innocent hayseed, but you're a cynic. Ford I'll own up to some sins, but Jim, you're just mad because I got the upper end of the stick and you know it. Couzens No, no, you're wrong. I make this company. I've been tough but I didn't do one thing I have to be ashamed of. Ford What have I done that's shameful? Couzens Signing your name to this trash against the Allies War Loan! Who writes this tripe for you? I know you didn't. Ford I tell Liebold and Pipp what to write. They just pretty it up. Couzens Did you read this? Hell, you don't read. Ford It'll put an end to all this war talk, and that's what I want! Couzens You can't read You can't write. This war is serious. Don't monkey with it. Don't hurt people. Our workers shouldn't have to read this anti-war stuff. I disapprove of this article. Ford I don't care. Couzens I quit. Ford Better think it over, Jim. Couzens I have. You're on your own. Ford All right. |
Drive Out Onto J o h n R S t r e e t LINE |

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