Ford & Pocketbook

In his own words Henry Ford has always been determined "to get the price of an automobile down to where the public can buy it." In 39 years of business he has made over 20,000,000 automobiles, the cheapest to be bought in the U. S. But his plants have not turned out a car since early December.

Last week Motormaker Ford told everything about the new models . . . except the price. There will be an improved four with a variety of body types, mostly commercial. But big news was the '"V" eight in ten body types, completely new in design. Motors will fit either chassis, so the sedan eight may eventually become the station-wagon four. Twenty of them were built over a year ago. The late Thomas Edison rode in one but the car will not be called the Edison, as reported. In November Mr. Ford decided against launching the eight, and the plants were busy on the improved four. Suddenly Mr. Ford said he "felt he was on the wrong track." Instantly the plants shut down to make ready the eight. For the first time in years Mr. Ford appeared in the laboratories daily, supervised the countless engineering tests.

"The public has suffered a lot," he said last week, "and has been very patient. From now on the public's pocketbook sits in at every conference. We feel that the way to help the country at present is to risk all we can to get something started . . . with as little profit as possible or no profit at all if that will keep the wheels turning." About 35.000 workers have been recalled to the plants already employing 65.000. Both models should be on display next week, production will be well under way in March.

Either the world's luckiest man or one of the smartest, Henry Ford announced his new cars the day the Glass-Steagill bill came out of the White House (see p. 13)-

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