THE FORD WAY

Opunake Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3134, 2 August 1927, Page 4

THE FORD WAY

Every morning the Ford Motor Punt at Michigan is in operation 13,000 blind, maimed and diseased men and - women walk into work. These physically handicapped woikpaople represent one-third of the total ■employees at this plant and yet retains its record as one of the most efficient and profit-making concerns in the world, and a concern that has made Mr lord a imuti-muiionaire. Among these thiiteen thousand cripples are 51X.0 suffering from hernia, L’ooo with defective eyesight (some tottally blind), while the remainder suffer from tuberculosis, loss of limbs, paralysis and shell shock. IX THE OPEN AHI. Despite their infirmities, however, they are the happiest workers in the world, for the majority of them realise that very few employers have much use for a man or woman afflicted with blindness or with amputated limbs. Nevertheless, the Ford Motor Plant has worl: for them all to do, and, without the firm being at all philanthropic, they earn every farthing they receive. How the plant absorbs all these people is explained below. The salvage yards are kept for the use of the tubercular employees. The recovery of a large amount of marketable material represents an enormous saving to the firm, and as the work is of an open-air character, both parties benefit. Moreover, the work is not heavy and does not impose too great a strain on the people engaged. JOB FOR THE BLIND. Those without legs or arms are engaged on machines which, even with this terrible infirmity, they can operate. * The blind members of the firm have developed such a close sense of touch that they are able to work almost ns fast as those fortunate in possessing their sight, and further have not so much to distract them from their task, as would be the case if they could see. Their,, occupation is that of com bining brass rings with asbestor rings. Thu brass ring is. first of all put on the'spindle of a small machine. Then follows the asbestos ring, and tho two aro clamped together by moans of a small lever which has to be pulled. £0 A WEEK. •- "1“ often thought when I lost the lingers of ray right hand that I would never be able to work again,” said a middle-aged man, “but I manage to torn six pounds a week despite my accident.” The insurance companies have raised tlo objections to including - these disabled people in the group insurance policies effected by the Ford Company, and have charged the same rates as that for those’ physically fit,