[crdoconnor]

>The strength of organized labor, particularly at Ford in 1914 was weak

It was about seeing off an incipient threat. IWW were quite active at the time. Amazon's goal last year was similar when they raised wages even though they refused to recognize the union.

>Ford's rationale for increasing the wage for his workers as laid out by him, was to make it so every Ford employee could buy a Ford car.

Which was obviously bullshit. The effect employees buying cars could have had on the bottom line was far outstripped by the increased wage bill.