2 Friday, July 16, 1976
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Purely Commentary
David Lewis' Chronicled Story of Ford's Anti-Semitism Lends
Significance to Important Biographical Story . . . The Press
and Its Reaction to Israel's Noteworthy Military Triumph
By Philip
Slomovitz
Dr. Lewis' Expose of Ford Anti-Semitism . . . Historic Significance in Biography
Because the very remarkable autobio-
graphical study of Henry Ford by Dr. Henry
L. Lewis contains the very elaborate account
of the auto magnate's anti-Semitism, the no-
teworthy book published by, Wayne State
University Press has raised anew the ques-
tion of forgiving and forgetting. The old
cliche of "letting a sleeping dog lie" is re-
sorted to by some of the concerned, and
there is one obvious reason for it. The heirs
to the Ford Motor Co. legacy are so devoid of
the prejudices that were fostered by the
founder of the great company that some are
embarrassed when the hatred for Jews by
the elder Henry Ford is linked with the fair-
minded namesake, his grandson Henry Ford
II.
History would have to be erased and
Henry Ford would have emerged as the su-
preme ideologist with his definition "history
is bunk" had the facts of life and the experi-
ences of his history been overlooked and for-
gotten. True, it is hard to accept the fact that
Thomas Edison was an anti-Semite who may
have influenced the automobile factory foun-
der: it isn't easy to accept the reality of a
noted man being the inspirer of hatred.
But if such facts are forgotten, then so, also,
the hopes of a new generation of Germans,
who plead for an erasing of the Nazi chapter
from memory, would become valid.
The elder Ford believed the Jews engi-
neered World War II. He said so to David
Willkie, Associated Press automobile editor,
and he retained his hatred for Jews in 1941.
The Hitler terror aimed at the Jews in no
way removed the blindfolds from the eyes of
the otherwise manufacturing genius. Ford
had apologized for his attacks on Jews in his
letter to Louis Marshall. If anything, the
hatred may have grown and expanded, as the
view on guilt for the world war indicated.
So, surrounded by E. G. Liebold, Wil-
liam J. Cameron and a host of bigots, Ford
conducted an anti-Semitic campaign. His
Peace Ship phobia in World War II, his sad
experience when he was drawn into the jour-
ney by Rosika Schwimmer, had a relation-
ship to the venom.
Dr. Lewis relates the occurrences with-
out bias, objectively, with a fairness that
merits affirmation for his excellent work.
He presents a fair pictureof the auto genius
who had many Jewish workers who re-
spected and appreciated the treatment they
received at the hands of a man\ who hated
their people.
Ford had at least one eminent Jewish
friend — the rabbi of Temple Beth El, Dr.
Leo M. Franklin. The Lewis record of Ford's
activities gives a full account of the Franklin-
Ford friendship, the Ford cars presented by
the auto magnate annually to Franklin, the
latter's eventual rejection of the gift when
Ford emerged as the leader of the world's
anti-Semites.
Naturally, there also is recorded the
story of Father Charles E. Coughlin's entr-
ance on the scene as related to Ford's publi-
cation of the notorious forgeries, the Proto-
cols of the Elders of Zion.
Thus we have in this great work re-
search and collation of the basic facts re-
garding the Ford anti-Semitic passion, a
scholarly and objective recapitulation which
places firmly in the record of historic experi-
ences the bigotries that dominated the mind
of a man who was creative mechanically,
biased socially.
Dr. Lewis parallels the elder Ford's atti-
tudes with those of the present generation,
the inheritors of the Ford legacies why did
not have to abandon prejudice because they
did not have it. The appended quotes give
some substance to this factor in the bio-
graphical study of the founder of the Ford
Motor Co.
Harry Bennett's role in the Ford story is
interesting. When Henry Ford II assumed
company control, Bennett and his
"salesmen" had to go, fast, in the cleansing
process of the great company. Many Detroit-
ers will recall the early expose of the Ford
manipulations in the Dearborn Independent.
Edwin G. Pipp was the Dearborn Indepen-
dent's first editor. He could not stomach the
Ford anti-Semitism and he quit, and was a
chief condemner of the Ford prejudices.
Dr. Lewis has not omitted a factor of
importance in this significant work for
which he deserves gratitude.
* * *
From Page 156 of
Dr. Lewis' Ford Biography
In 1964 the "Thunderbolt," organ of the
National States Rights Party, serialized
many of the Dearborn Independent's anti-
Jewish articles, running Ford's by-line
and official company picture with each.
That same year, Gerald L. K. Smith
proudly announced that "a new popular
edition of Mr. Ford's 'International
Jew' " was available "in bulk quanti-
ties." The Anti-Defamation League of
Bnai Brith asked the Ford Co. to stop
Smith from reprinting and circulating the
tract. Since the literature was not copy-
righted, the firm expressed its inability to
intervene. In 1966 Smith, correctly claim-
ing that Henry Ford never changed his
origintil opinion of Jews, serialized "The
International Jew" in his magazine,'
"The Cross and the Flag," and re-offered
for sale bound copies of "The Interna-
tional Jew."
Articles in "The International Jew"
were revived again in 1972 in a book,
"None Dare Call It Conspiracy," which
was distributed free on a massive scale by
the John Birch Society. Neo-Nazi publish-
ers and other anti-Semites including Arab
organizations have repeatedly reissued
"The Protocols of the Elders of Zion." The
reprints and literature promoting them
usually state that the documents were
endorsed and previously published by
Henry Ford. Jewish reference works pro-
vide no comfort to Ford's memory. Some of
them simply say "Ford, Henry, see ANTI-
SEMITISM," then describe him as "one
of the first to undertake anti-Jewish agi-
tation in the U.S." or as a purveyor of
"strong anti-Semitic propaganda by
means of his newspaper the Dearborn In-
dependent."
From Page 159 of
Dr. Lewis' Ford Biography
Where does the Ford Co. now star
Ath American Jewry? Most older Jev
have not forgotten, many have not fog
given, Henry Ford for his anti-Semitic
braying. Some elderly Jews will not buy a
Ford vehicle because of Ford's anti-Semi-
tism, and are critical of Jews who pur-
chase Ford cars. "Time heals all
wounds," said a Jewish leader, "but some
remain for ages. I have owned cars for
many years but just cannot allow myself
to buy a Ford."
Some older Jews also show copies of
the Dearborn Independent and dog eared
editions of "The International Jew" to
their children and grandchildren; others
buy newer editions of the booklet for the
same purpose. One of the author's Jewish
students said in 1967 that his New York
grandparents threatened to disinherit him
if he bought a Ford car or Ford stock; to do
so, they said, would be to "trade with the
enemy . . ."
Almost all Jews, however, including
those who have neither forgotten nor for-
given Henry Ford, are gratified by the
friendliness and generosity of the Ford
family and the Ford Co. toward the Jewish
community since the late 1940s.
-
a
Israel's Military Triumph . . . the Press . . . A Prejudiced General . . . Politics and Yarmulke
Freedom of the press is an obligation upon civilized so-
ciety. With it goes the indispensable right of newsmen to
express their views and to risk difference of opinion with
readers. There also are human aspects which the person
who edits copy, writes headlines and expresses editorial
opinions must abide by. Therefore, attitudes are often de-
batable and ideologies subject to challenge.
Israel's role as a tiny nation struggling for a secure po-
sition in an area that had long been viewed as the battle-
ground of the world serves as a testing symbol in journal-
ism. There are occasions for criticisms of Israeli policies.
There are differing views on approaches to peace. Yet, there
are basic factors that can not be subjected to compromise.
The right to live is not debatable. The obligation to retain
military strength in an area in which some 20 nations have
submitted to an ultimate aim of destroying the Jewish state
is indisputable. The sanctity of the lives of Israelis is unden-
iable, and Israel's determination to adhere to this duty was
affirmed at the Entebbe Airport in Uganda.
No wonder that the newspapers in all free countries
applauded Israel's fearlessness and decision never to submit
to blackmail and to go to extremes to rescue lives.
In the main, newspapers did not equivocate. There was
unanimity of opinion that Israel acted properly as well as
courageously and the lesson from the Entebbe Airport was
clear: that all nations would do well to follow Israel's exam-
ple. There is unanimity that nations who welcome hijackers
should be boycotted.
While comparisons are odious, the editorials in the two
Detroit daily newspapers are worth studying. The Detroit
News dealt with facts and spoke frankly in condemnation of
the Ugandan collaborative acts with the hijackers. The Free
Press writer must have had tongue in cheek or fear of Arabs
in his heart when he resorted to advice. Why not some ad-
vice to the Arab rulers regarding the encouragement they
have given hijackers and terrorists?
There are so many lessons for mankind in what's occur-
ring in the Middle East! Israel's struggle for security and
pleadings for peace should enduce some measure of compas-
sion for the tiny state surrounded by enemies. Lebanon's
bleeding has failed to arouse those in power to get into ac-
tion for justice.
How fortunate that a military triumph serves a pur-
pose in arousing sentiments of fair play!
* * *
General Brown: Has He Failed
to Learn the Lessons of Truth?
General George S. Brown did not completely reiterate
his prejudices against Jews when his re-appointment as
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon was
being considered by the Senate. But he said enough to imply
that he has not forgotten his bias.
Amazing, isn't it, that in this enlightened era an impor-
tant military figure should still be under the impression
that Jews influence the press, control the banks, dominate
in government!
It is no wonder, therefore, that two U.S. Senators,
Thomas J. McIntyre (D-N.H.) and Robert Taft Jr. (R-Ohio)
should have had the courage to oppose his re-nomination.
Senator Taft's views at the hearings are especially not-
able. He said:
His reply to my questions . . . seem to me to
show a lack of sensitivity to public opinion that is
particularly inappropriate for one in his position
. . . I believe that his earlier statement and his tes-
timony yesterday jeopardizes his ability to partici-
pate in national decisions relating to the Middle
East.
General Brown remains a powerful figure in the mili-
tary and in the government. Must the facts be re-submitted
to him so that undue bigotries should be erased from the
minds of men of power in this land?
* * *
Weight of the Yarmulke
in U.S. National Politics
It's a normal procedure for office-seekers to see the bal-
loting patronage from all elements in the population, from
ethnic group and religiously-affiliated.
That's why Bible-carrying Jimmy Carter felt at home
in a Jewish center in New Jersey, as he did in many Jewish
environments in his home state of Georgia, and was not op-
pressed by the Yarmulke.
Indeed, the weight of the Yarmulke is not oppressive.
Neither is Jewish food. For a Rockefeller to trudge through
New York's East Side streets munching knishes is palatable
politically. Just as it was not shocking to hear Betty Ford,
when she accepted a Mezuza from the head of the American
Jewish Congress, relish in having a mezula. By this time
she surely knows the exact spelling and pronounciation.
Milton Friedman, the President's White House aide, must
have seen to that.
And it is not as surprising when McGovern, courting
the Jewish voters, ordered a glass of milk with his corned
beef sandwich on an East Side New York tramping trip so-
liciting backers.
The weight of the Yarmulke is certain to leave its mark
on the speculative news analyses and on the columnists who
must delve deep into the researched political data. Out of
the Yarmulke will flash the horror-striking charge of a Jew-
ish vote and the political writers will be warning the voter
of a terror at the polling booth — an influence from the
friends of Israel who are seeking aid for their kinsmen in an
embattled land.
This is only one aspect of a political quandary to be an-
ticipated in a presidential campaign with so many new, con-
troversial aspects. But once the knishe and the latke and the
khremzel is munched and the head freed from the weighty
Yarmulke, the voter will tackle the puzzling situation. Once
again he will say to himself that in the main, politicians, no
matter what their party labels, are all alike. One carries a
Bible, the other may be all things to all men.
The danger at the moment, just before the party con-
ventions, stems from cynicism. There is plenty of that and
neither Bible nor Yarmulke, even the Mezuza (mezula!)
are of too much help in overcoming a probable indifference
stemming from disillusionment.
* * *
0 Tempore, 0 Mores! . . . Does
Mexico Invite Another Boycott?
Just as every day brings new evidence of the immensity
of the heroic Uganda Operation by Israel, so, also, do
amazing adherences to villainy by the barbaric on the in
national scene keep emphasizing the inhumanities in ba
wardness. Even the Soviet Union puzzles the imaginatI
that under conditions of revived hijacking that menaced the
lives of more than 100 people the Kremlin sees fit to give
comfort to the uncivilized beasts.
The U.S. position at the UN could not have been better
enhanced than by the declarations of Ambassador William
Scranton. The British government redeemed itself with its
cooperative proposal, with this country, of a resolution out-
lawing terrorism and hijacking.
But Mexico! She had just gone through the agonies of
a boycott and her officials sought Israel's forgiveness! Why
the new anti-Israel stand? Why that nation's endorsement
of the Arab terrorist extremists? Is it an invitation for an-
other boycott?
So be it! If that's the aim, then let there be another
boycott!