Ford Ages

With Ford plants again running on heavy schedules, with Model A carrying on the tradition of illustrious Model T, with steady growth of Ford European companies, Henry Ford is well pleased with the automotive business and vigorously engaged in making his company bigger, better than ever before. Heavy, however, has been the personnel overturn at the Ford plant, particularly executive personnel. Detroit has become almost blase concerning appointments, rearrangements and resignations among the men who help make the Ford go.

Last week Arthur E. Wilson, general employment manager, left Ford Motor Co. In eleven years he hired more than 300,000 Ford workers. No reason was announced for the Wilson withdrawal, though readers of an interview given out by Mr. Wilson after his departure noticed a discrepancy between the Ford and the Wilson ideas of employe ages. Men from 35 to 60 are the best workers, said Mr. Ford. Men from 30 to 50 are best men," said Mr. Wilson. "After 50," said he, "most men cannot stand the pace."

Labor turnover at the Ford plants, which recently were hiring 700 new men per day, is about 4% per month. Men under 30 have proved unstable, casual. Mr. Ford is proud of having jobs for men of all ages and Ford employe ages run from 18 to 70. Oldsters, including 20 blind men, are used in inspection work.