BRAZIL: Ford Rubber

The Brazilian newspaper Folha da Noite launched last week a lurid attack against Henry Ford and his rubber plantation in the State of Para. Charged the Folha da Noite: “Mr. Ford does not give good wages. In Mr. Ford’s stores a milreis [$.12] is worth only 400 reis [$.048].”

In spite of the journal’s warning that the value of their wages would be more than halved, workmen appeared every day at Mr. Ford’s plantations, applied for and received jobs.

The Ford plantations are on the Tapajoz River, tributary of the Amazon. By a contract made last year with the State of Para and the Brazilian Government, Mr. Ford promised to plant 3,000 acres of rubber trees within four years. In return his rubber will be exempt from export taxes for twelve years, and he may import free of duty all materials necessary to the development of his plantation.

Pending the building of quarters on shore, Mr. Ford has sent to the Tapajoz River a large motor ship, Lake Ormoc, on which live the vanguard of his engineers, managers, experts. The Lake Ormoc, luxurious, has recreation rooms, a gymnasium, a hospital, a dentist, a tailor, a barber.