The New Man

Spry old Henry Ford wrote a letter to the board of directors of his company: “I hereby resign the office of president. . . .

May I recommend the appointment of my grandson, Henry Ford II, as my successor.” The board, controlled lock, stock & proxies by old Henry, considered the “recommendation,” obediently upped Young Henry, 28, from executive vice president to president.

Actually, the change was more in title than in fact. The Master of the Rouge at 82 will still keep his fingers on the controls of his company as an “adviser.” He showed no signs of retiring: despite a spell of sickness, which laid him flat on his back three weeks ago, he was once more dog-trotting through his plants last week, keeping a sharp blue eye on everything.

He would also go right on teaching tall, agreeable Young Henry how to run an empire, a job Old Henry had started two years ago at the death of Edsel Ford. Young Henry has worked hard at his lessons. Now, he may have more of a chance to show what he has learned.