The sun., 1919-07-23
NO. SAYS FORD,
ASKED IF HE IS
AN ANARCHIST
Direct Question Gives Little
Thrill to Hearing in
Libel Suit.
DOUBT ABILITY TO READ
Witness Is willing 10 Leave
That Impression-Defence
Ends First Quiz.
DOUBT ABILITY TO READ
Special Despatch TO TEE Sun.


Special Despatch 10 TEE Sun.
MOUNT CLEMENS, July 22.-The at
tempt to induce Henry Ford TO admit
that his own statements justified the
Tribune editorial assailing him, for
which he asked 100000. was re-
newed to-day by attorney Elliott g.
Stevenson.
The witness underwent q strenuous
forenoon, which closed the sixth full
day for him on the stand. He was
turned over to his own counsel at II
o'clock. Soon after Mr.. Ford an
nounced that he wanted the examina-
ton to be cut short, and that he
would see that It was. But regardless
OF his announcement it is doubtful
whether he will be excused for at
least another two and possibly three
days He has yet to undergo cross
examination after redirect examina-
ton.
Mr.. Ford was required to answer more
personal questions, probably the most
Irritating of them all being in regard
to his ability to read.
81 have some hesitation" said Mr..
Stevenson, but in justice to yourself
will ask this question. I think an I'M
preston has been created by your failure
to read some Of these things that have
been presented that you could not read.
Are you willing to leave 1t that way?"
The startling nature of the question
left the court room dumb. but Mr.. Ford
calmly replied: Yes, you can leave 1t
that way-I am not a fast reader, and
have hay fever. and I would make q
botch of IT.
Doesn't Want to Read.
Are you willing to have that impress
sion left here?'
mot that impression, but am not q
fast reader" said Mr.. Ford.
"Can you read at all?" asked Mr.. Ste
venson.
II can read-yes." said Mr.. Ford af-
fably.
do you want to try it?"
mo, SIR"
you would rather leave that i'm
presslonE salu Mr.. oteSehsoh' Anu 4hr'
Ford assented.
Another thrill came when the direct
question was asked: Now. Mr.. Ford.
are you an anarchist" The courtroom
was hushed when the witness replied:
IT don't think So" and then added in
an emphatic manner. mo. sir. am not"
Then the cross examination was re-
sumed.
Question-You have said, Mr.. Ford.
60 ha Yrlan
ture of munitions for war purposes prior
to 1917?
Answer-Opposed to It. yes. sir.
O. Yon knew that was quite matter
of contention during 1915 and 1915. did
you not, and the shipment of munitions
TO the Allies complained of quite bitterly
by those who sympathized with Ger
many7
A. I knew It went to make up war.
@. You knew 1t was matter that peo-
pie who sympathized with Germany and
the German Government complained Bit
terly about, and that the United States
was departing from neutrality in fur
nishing food and munitions to the Allies.
did you not?
A. don't know as knew much about
It, suppose. naturally. 1 don't know
as I knew very much about It at the
time.
O. Don't you recoIlect or did you know
there was q bill introduced In Congress
to put an embargo on the shipment Of
everything Of that kind?
Doesn't Remember the Bill.
A. I may have at that time. but don't
remember now.
. @. What Is that?
A. may have at that time
@. You don't recall II now7
A. don't recall Il. no. sir.
@ Weren't you in favor Of the en-
A. I don't recall anything about It
Mr.. Stevenson.
O. You were opposed to the manufac-
not. Mr.. Ford7
A. Well. was opposed to war in gen.
Sral. in every way.
Q. And II that was a necessary part
of carrying on war you were opposed to
the manufacture and sale OF munitions.
were you not?
A suppose I was. yes sir.
Q. Don't you recall, Mr.. Ford, that
at the time the Anglo-French loan was
offered TO the public in the United States
there was a good deal of agitation on
this question OF furnishing the allied
Powers with munitions and food to help
them carry on the war;
A. Well, / don't know. To tell the
truth about II, Mr.. Stevenson. / don't
know how much agitation there was
O. Don't you recall for that reason
that you opposed aiding the floating
OF that loan?
A. Well, suppose did oppose It
somewhat. yes. sir
O. You used some rather expressive
thoughts, did you not? Don't you re-
call saying at the time Lord Reading
and his associates, representing the
British Government. came over here to
fioat that loan. that they ought to have
q can tied TO them and sent back?
Ought to BE Canned Out.
A. don't recall that I think I said
they ought to be canned out OF the
country.
Q. And your influence was against
the floating OF that loan. was It not.
Mr.. Ford?
\. Well there was quite a debate on
t. understood they brought no Sc
curities or anything.
q. They were offering the obligation
OF the British Government and the
French Government?
A. did not know that. ! understood
II was a committee of bankers that
came over here without securities, and
there was a great debate on It, as 1
understood. / was Just on one side. there
were a good many against It.
q. You were opposed to encourag ing