New-York tribune., 1919-07-24
Testi6es Edsel Wanted to
20 to War, but Per.
suaded by Father to Re-
main in Auto Factory
Associate Says He
Wanted Navy Sunk
Declares Manufacturer
Would Put Murderer
on Soldiers Breasts

MT. CLEMENS, Mich, July 23.-Ac-
cording to the testimony of Henry
Ford to-day, hts son Edsel wished to
go to war, but was dissuaded by his
father.
The examination of the elder Ford
who took the stand eight days ago in
his libel suit against "The Chicago
Daily Tribune" was concluded and he
left the courthouse. He was examined
by Attorney Elliott G. Stevenson for
The Tribune" and by his own lawyer,
Alfred Lucking. 1t was the latter who
tion of Edsel Ford, which has figured
in the recent speeches in the United
States Senate.
"Will you state whether your son
when the United States entered the war
had become necessary to the work of
your great factory in order to re-
lieve you of the detail of it," asked
Mr. Lucking.
1--WE have worked together all his
life" said the witness.
Had he reached position where
he was great relief to you?"
Yes, he is great relief to me-"
I'm looking after war work? ?"
"Yes"
0oh w oittCu W lSut
He personally was willing to 90 to
war;"
eyes, he had many offers"
You felt you needed him in the fac
torry?"
"Was he offered commission in the
army, although he would stay right in
the factory?"
"Yes."
con war work ?"
eyes, but he declined It,"
DO you RENE ember saying that you
didn't care to see him camoufage; to
wear a uniform and appear to be In
the service, when he was actually at
tending to necessary war work in the
f'sstSsy"'" sYs:."
Attorney Stevenson asked Mr.. Ford
if he assumed all responsibility for
his sons not enlisting.
eyes, think I did," replied the
manufacturer.
"He was more useful to you in the
factory?"
"Yes."
Draft Board Disagreed
"The draft board disagreed with
you?"
II think So"
Mr.. Ford was turned over to Attor-
ney Stevenson after Mr.. Lucking had
completed his examination.
"Do you mean by any of your replies
to Mr.. Lucking to change or qualify
any of your direct admissions to me ~
asked "The Tribune" lawyer.
"No, sir"
Mr.. Stevenson recalled the case of
the Dodge. Brothers, minority stock
holders, who went into court in 1916
and compelled Mr.. Ford to distribute
half Of $52,ooo,o0O surplus in divi-
dends.
Mr.. Ford admitted that F. l.. Kiln
gensmith, vice-president f the Ford
speak for the company. P. w. Will
Jams, a correspondent of "The Trib-
une," previously testified that it was
Mr.. Klingensmith who told him that
national guardsmen from the Ford
plant who went to the border would
not be paid while absent, nor would
their places be held for them nor their
dependents looked after.
Tells Of Dodge Suit
On further examination Mr.. Ford
said In the lower court the Dodges en-
Joined him from enlarging his plant,
but this was reversed by the Supreme
Court of Michigan. Mr.. Ford said he
had wished at that time to expand in
order to employ more men at good
wages. He reduced the price $50 q
car in order to increase production to
100000 cars, he said, and Dodge
Brothers charged that this alone sag
rihced $40,000,000 in potential profits.
"You bought out the Dodge inter-
ests ?" asked Mr.. Stevenson.
"No; my son Edsel did"
Questioning brought out that last
spring before the Dodge deal, when
Mr.. Ford announced he was going to
form a now company to build bet
ter and cheaper car, he offered his own
stock in the Ford Company for sale.
Edsel Ford, however, prevailed upon
him to give him chance to settle with
the Dodges.
Comment on the Lusitania
The next bit of evidence was in the
form Of a deposition from a Pough-
keepsie, n. Y, physician, DR.. Jo-
hannes Herman Martin Angus
tus Won Tillin, who said Mr.. Ford
was in the physlcians Office when
news of the sinking OF the Lusitania
was received and Mr.. Ford remarked
tudC <1uiCA iSdiS WClc lOOllSU 10 DC Oh
board, as they had been warned.
John r. Lee, for many years asso-
ciated with the Ford Motor Company,
testified to a conversation at which
Edward Marshall interviewed Mr.
Ford.
II heard Mr.. Ford say, with some
thing of a shock, that the word mur-
derer' should be placed on the breast
Of every soldier" said Mr.. Lee. He
confirmed many other remarks attrib-
uted to Mr.. Ford by Mr.. Marshall in
his subsequent magazine article.
"He thought we should sink our navy
and disband our army" said the wit
ness.
Il ID