The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-07-24
HENRY FORD SAYS
He KEPT HIS SON
AWAY FROM WAR
Manufactures Believed He Need
ed Edsel's Help
HIS SON WANTED TO GO
Plaintiff in Libel Suit Says Less Money
He Has the Less Trouble
He Has
HIS SON WANTED TO GO

| Henry Ford today accepted full re-
sponsibility for keeping his son, Ed
| sci B. Ford, out of war, Testifying in
the Ford-Tribune libel trial, the
father declared that Edsel wanted to
serve, but he felt that he needed his
sons aid. Mr.. Ford said that com
missions were offered to Edsel, which
were declined.
In the course of general inquiry
ON the Ford war work during which
the plaintiff was shifted from one
counsel to another. Mr.. Stevenson
asked whether there was not another
consideration that led to the great
war activity of the Ford concerns.
Whatever it is, | will answer your
questions" said Mr.. Ford
"Your son Edsel wanted to go to
war;" asked the Tribune attorney.
YES, sir" Mr.. Ford replied, while
the court room was hushed at the un-
folding of a much-dscussed matter.
He wanted to enlist?" pursued the
Tribune counsel.
Yes, sir"
And you were opposed to it?"
Il told him he could do better
where he was
Attorney Stevnson then asked Mr..
Ford about the drafting of Edsel
Ford, and his application for exemp-
tion. and the appeal Mr. Ford said
he did not know whether the appeal
went as far as the President or not.
Then Mr.. Stevenson asked his
main question, whether the appeal on
Edsel Ford was not pending when the
Ford Company undertook its big war
work. Mr. Ford replied that the ap-
peal was not pending at the time the
war work was first started.
Now Mr.. Ford, that matter was
pending at the time you entered into
doing all this work, the appeal from
fusing him exemption
Not when he first started"
'The draft was in June"
"We started just as quick as the
war came on"
The draft was in June, and after
the decision of the Draft Board re-
fusing to exempt him, an appeal was
taken to the President
Il don't know as to that 1t is all on
record don't know where it went
to-"
"And that appeal was never de-
cided. but came back later in Decem-
Der of last year"
Il don't remember. 1t is all part
Of the record"
Mr. Stevenson brought up the Dodge
Ford suit and referred to Mr.. Ford
as having published broadcast that
the Supreme Court of Michigan had
made bad decision in ordering the
distribution of surplus. He also re-
so referred to the 65 per cent. war
tax on large incomes.
whatever it is. the less money |
have the less trouble | have" COM
mented Mr.. Ford
Alfred Lucking. taking the witness,
asked further about the Edsel-Ford
war incident.
"Will you state whether Mr.. Ford
had become necessary to the work in
this great factory in order to relieve
you OF the detail routine of it?
I'VE have worked together all his
lifetime"
Had he reached a position where
he was great relief to your
"Yes, he is great relief to me-
"He personally was willing to go to
war, as stated by Mr. Stevenson"
"Yes, he has had many an Offer
you felt you needed him in the
factory?"
YES"
WAS the offer of commission in
the army made to him, and to stay
right in the factory?"
"Yes"
"Do you remember stating that
there would be no camoufaging
about that, that you did not wish him
to take a uniform and appear to be in
service when he actually was attend
ing to matters that were necessary
in the factory. Do you remember
that"
yes"
ANY difficulty about getting uni
form for Mr. Edsel Ford, if it had
been desired, il he were willing to
take it?"
Il guess not"
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