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!