Ford and Rubber

Many rich men get into the habit of collecting things. Thus far, however most of the things which Henry Ford has picked up have a way of paying fat dividends. Thus, considerable curiosity has been occasioned recently by the Detroit manufacturer's acquisition of some 12,000 acres of land along the Ogeechee River near Savannah. On the land stands Strathy Hall, a fine old rice plantation. Mr. Ford showed his fondness for old traditional buildings when he bought the Sudbury Inn.

Nevertheless, it is believed that much of the purchased land will be used in an experimental attempt to grow rubber. This has long been a hobby of Harvey S. Firestone, President of the tire concern of that name and intimate friend of Henry Ford. Firestone has viewed with alarm the British crude rubber monopoly, and has urged the acquisition by this country of its own sources of supply. It is considered that Air. Ford's previous purchase of a large tract of land in Florida is linked with this more recent purchase, and that both indicate his intention to cultivate rubber plantations there.

Thus far the Ford office at Dearborn, official mouthpiece of the Detroit billionnaire, has proved noncommittal when asked about his Southern purchases. It merely stated that Mr. Ford was following an old policy of acquiring tracts of land in various states for "various agricultural experiment."