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J. W. McAfee’s widely read column in The Globe and Mail, contains interesting information regarding some of the ‘operations of James Franceschini, and the profitable character of government contracts handled by him during the past 25 years. Mr. Franceschini started life in Canada as a day laborer. He eventually became a contractor. “His first con tract was for 34 miles on the Dundas highway for which he was paid $120,000 for work which critics said could be done profitably for $40,000.” (The Drury government was in power). He soon became a rich man, enjoyed a business so profitable that he was able in 1939 to spend $250,000 on his mansion at Mimico. Another piece of evidence of his prosperity was seen in January when the com pany, of which he is head, took $200,000 of the Government war loan. Mr. McAfee’s article con cludes: “His business in recent years, has spread far beyond the borders of Ontario. In 1930 he had a contract with the City of Montreal, which was originally for $600,000. As the work proceeded it was found that it would amount to $1,600,000. This was paid. Then a demand for another $140,000 was made. It was resisted, but Franceschini sued and won his case. Similarly a contract he obtained from the Hepburn Government is reported to have been for $400,000, but eventually ran to $1,000,000. Everybody knows, of course, that these things hap pen and that generally Mr. Franceschini has col lected a good deal more than he counted on origin ally.” Recently this man of wealth was taken into custody as an alien enemy and is now being held under the Defense of Canada Regulations, and his 860-acre farm is held by the government. He will not receive contracts from either the Ontario or Dominion government for some time to come, nor will he complete certain important work now under way. Entitled to Fair Play It is unfortunate that Henry Ford should have taken the attitude he did, toward the production of airplane engines for the British government. He thereby created a feeling against his company which is not fair to the Canadian organization which bears his name. The Ford Company in Can ada is not headed by Mr. Ford, and most of its shares are held by Canadian citizens. A few weeks ago we were privileged to make a tour of the Ford Plant in Windsor, and more than half of the vehicles coming off the lines were for the Canadian and British governments. There has been no more outstanding citizen in Canada than Mr. Wallace Campbell, the President of the Ford Com pany, who for many months headed the War Supply Board without salary. Mr. Campbell has always been an outstanding Canadian citizen, and his activity for every worthwhile cause is well known in Windsor where he makes his home. While it is natural that Canadians will resent Mr. Henry Ford’s attitude toward the British Govern ment, this resentment should not be carried to the Canadian Company. Other Ford Companies
Newspaper Details
Weston Times And Guide
Weston, Ontario, CA
Thu, Jul 25, 1940
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
CA 01 Feb 2026
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