A Strict
Controller
A similar pattern of
authoritarian control and stubbornness marked Ford’s attitude towards his employees.
The $ 5 a day that brought him so much attention in 1914, was no guarantee for the future,
when in 1929 Ford increas ed the wages to $ 7 a day, and suddenly after three
years, as a part of fiscal stringency imposed by falling sales and the great depression in
the industry, it was cut to just $ 4 a day, below even to prevailing industry wages.
Ford freely employed company police, labor spies, and violence in a protracted efforts to
prevent unionization and continued to do so even after General Motors and Chrysler had
come to terms with UAW [United Automobile Workers].When UAW finally succeeded in
organizing Ford workers in 1941, Ford once considered even shutting down everything before
he was persuaded to sign a union contract.
An American 'Hero' Depart
After the death of his only son, Edsel, Henry resumed the presidency of the company. In spite of old age and infirmity, he held it until 1945, when he retired in favor of his grandson, Henry Ford II. At the time of his retirement his estimated wealth amounted to $ 700 million.
Ford died at his home ‘Paradise’ on April 7, 1947, exactly 100 years after his father had left Ireland for Michigan. His holdings in Ford stock went to the Ford Foundation. |
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