The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-07-22
FORD FAILS
TO REMEMBER
Seventh Day Of drilling on Witness
Stand In Million Dollar
Suit for Libel Of
Manufacturer.

Hunted Press Leased Wire Service.
| MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich, July
22.-Taking the stand, for his sew
enth day Of grilling here today in
his million dollar libel suit against
the Chicago Tribune, Henry Ford
was even more cautious than yester-
day when he politely refused to be
! fustered.
Ford wore smile when he enter
ed the court room today. For the
second time he is a grandfather,
son having been born yesterday to
Mrs. Edsel Ford, wife Of the twenty
five year old president of the Ford
Motor company.
Attorney Stevenson, for the
Tribune, asked Ford IL 1t was not
| true that when the allied commits
| sioners visited this country to nego-
tiate a war loan he said they should
be canned out Of the country"
!, The manufacturer admitted he had
made such a remark.
His memory failed him when asked
/ il he had said he would withdraw
his deposits from any bank that sub
scribed to such loan.
when you heard of the sinking of
the Lusitania. Mr.. Ford, did you say
people having been warned had no
business on board?"
II have no recollection of saying
that" !;
An interview Ford had with Will
lis j. Abbott, writer, was read, but
little of the article was remembered
by the witness.
Abbott quoted Ford saying he had
not been In Stockholm two hours be-
fore he became convinced that the
only way to attain permanent peace
was to crush Germany, and that
America would be required to aid In
the war for permanent peace. The
point made by the defense was that
this was several months before Ford's
anti-militaristic avocatism.
Ford said he did not go to Stock
holm, did not reach such convictions
and did not remember making any
such statements to Abbott.
Further Literary Excursions.
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich, July
22.-Henry Ford was taken. on fur
Their literary excursions when he
took the stand today as witness in
his million dollar libel suit against
the Chicago Tribune.
His own peace advertising, Lin.
coins speeches, the Monroe Doctrine
and other writings and documents /
were discussed with the urging of
Tribune attorneys. During this Ford
expressed the opinion that the Bible
probably would be clearer II 1t were
re- written.
'Mr. Ford" said an attorney, "by
refusing to read exhibits I hand you,
you have created the impression that
You cannot read Do you wish that
Impression to stand?"
"I'm not fast reader and I have
touch of Ray fever" the motor
magnate responded.
"Who wrote this" asked Attorney
Stevenson, reading: "All nations Of |
Europe will be bled white. Europe /
will appeal to succor. Why allow |
this filching from our treasury in the |
mann. Ct preparedness
Docs that encourage enlistm ent 2" |
"Mr. Brownell (Ford Motor :on.
pany advertising manager) wrote !
that" Ford said.
''But he wrote what you suggested |
Were you going to have him re-wrile !
the Bihle?"
~ always thought the Bible could I
be rewritten in clearer language"
This was preceded by questioning !
by Stevenson regarding the expadi- !
ticn of the Oscar II. Ford said lie
only financed the party-had nothing |
to do with the literature.
Excerpts from writings of Abraham
Lincoln were read.
"Who dissuaded the soldier f.nm
harmed the union
cause as he who kills soldier in
battle"
"Do you believe that is so?" Ford
was asked.
Eyes, when the country Is at war"
What is your understanding of
The Monroe doctrine?"
'.The big brother act"
Stevenson spent some time en
planning the Monroe doctrine
did you say back in 1916 that In
case Of an invasion you would not /,
make dollars worth Of munitions?"