The Elk Mountain pilot. [volume] (Irwin, (Ruby Camp), Gunnison County, Colo.) 1880-19??, 1919-07-31
NO SWIVEL CHAIR
FOR FORD'S SON
STAYED AT HOME DURING WAR
TO HELP IN PLANT-REFusED
TO TAKE UNIFORM.
FATHER WAS RESPONSIBLE
Declares He Told Edsel That War
Work In Factory Needed Him
Would Not Accept Safety
First Commission.

Mt. Clemens, Mich.-Henry Ford,
during the last hour Of his seven days
on the witness stand. took occasion
to claim full responsibility for his son.
Edsel Ford's, claim for exemption from
the selective draft. HE wanted to
enlist" said Mr.. Ford. but told him
that he could do more good where he
was. He was offered several commits
sions which would have permitted him
to wear uniform and stay right In
the factory, but he wouldn't accept
Them
Having made their decision, 1t was
shown, both MIR. Ford and his son re-
fused to camouflage 1t behind a
swivel chair commission carrying
boots and spurs.
This subject, the introduction OF
which has been awaited ever since
the trial opened, did not develop along
the lines which had been generally ex-
pected. Mr.. Ford's inclination to
shoulder full responsibility. his state
ment that his son was absolutely
essential to the war work being done
In the factory and his revelation of
the fact that Edsel Ford turned down
several offers Of a commission, dis
armed criticism. The charges, spread
during a political campaign. and re-
Gently repeated on the floor Of the
United States senate, to the effect
that the young president of the Ford
Motor company had shirked his duty
we're SO fully refuted that Tribune
counsel did not pursue the point.
1t was the first time that a full ex
PLANTATION of the facts in connection
with Edsel Ford's war work has been
made public and 1t was easily the
feature OF the eleventh week OF the
trial.
Henry Ford spent seven days on the
stand and of this time he gave
less than two hours to his own law
yers. As long as counsel for Tho
Tribune was hammering him Mr.. Ford
sat quietly in the witness chair an.
swering the constant fre of questions
with great patience. But the instant
his own lawyers took him in hand his
attitude changed. He became self.
and dimdent. He would not
accept the efforts Of ais counsel to
provide him with an opportunity to
reveal the full extent Of his patriotic
work during the war. his humanitari.
an Vows. or his advanced ideas OF
the relations which should exist be
tween capital and labor.
1T 10 all in the records" said Mr..
Ford. ut have told It all here once"
He avoided. with caro-, anything that
verged ON boasting. He would not
even describe the extent of the war
work which his factories did and when
record breaking performances in tho
production OF munitions was mention
Cd he declared. I'VE did all We could,
let It 90 at that. want to forget
all about It. feel Just a. the soldiers
feel. I don't want to talk about MY
war work"
The witness did. however, after be.
Ing pressed. explain that his SON had
bought out the minority stockholders
OF the Ford Motor company because
these interests had insisted ON Mr..
Ford squeezing the last dollar out Of
the public. tho government, the work
ers and the product. He wanted to
cut loose from his associates, he said,
80 that he could carry out his ideas
OF tho distribution Of profits to en-
ployees through increased wages AMI
to the public through lower prices.
1t was either buy or sell and Mr.. Ford
had considered selling and organising
q new company. His son, however,
took up the task Of buying out the
minority stockholders and succeeded.
despite the general belief In the iinsu.
cial world that this stock could not be
purchased.
One of the most interesting devotion.
ments Of Mr.. Ford's testimony came
cut when 1t was testified that the only
legislation he has ever sought wis
that for the protection of birds. Other
men Of millions. It was shown. kee,
lobbyists In the national and state
capitol to urge and work for special
privileges. but the one favor that M.
Fold has ever asked from the law,
makers had nothing to do with hts
own interests. 1t was . curious bit
Of testimony and left = deep impress.
sion on the audience in the court
ehamboy.
The subject was . result of oues.
lions concerning Mr.. Ford's list of
friends. He named Thomas Edison
and John Burroughs, the naturalist. al
bis best friends outside Of his i'm.
RV aAN