The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-05-15
CALL THIRD VENIRE
INFORD LIBEL SUIT

MT. CLEMENS. Mich, May 15.-l
Trial of the miIlion-doIIar libel suit
of Henry Ford against the Chicago
Tribune was resumed today with the
selection of a jury. far away goal.
The third venire was called.
Eleven men were in the jury box
but the joint defense has not used
any of its eight peremptory chal-
lenges, and it was believed certain
some of these will be dropped. Ford's
counsel has used two OF it's chal-
lcnges.
Exhaust Second Panel
Prospects of an early hearing of
testimony faded when the second
panel of jurors was exhausted, and
Judge Tucker and the county clerk
were obliged to obtain a new list from
the city directory.
The defendants gained an advantage
when the court permitted them four
peremptory challenges each, while the
plaintiff had a total OF four. The
Solomon News Company has ex-
hausted its four and Mr.. Ford one.
The Tribune has used none. There is
a hope that the jury may be COM
pleted today.
Although Judge Tucker has not yet
set time for the hearing on the Ford
brief narrowing the issues to the
question Of truth OF the editorial call
ing Henry Ford an anarchist for his
attitude toward preparedness and for
the alleged refusal of his officials to
favor employees enlisting for service
on the Mexican border, which Mr..
Ford denies, the attorneys for both
sides directed much of their exami-
nation Of talesmen to decisions of
national and international questions.
The tactics resulted from Judge
fuckers decision giving the widest
latitude to opening arguments and the
questioning OF Jurors. The court be-
came an open forum, with attorneys
acting alternately as apostles for pre-
paredness and pacifism, war and
peace, with the question Of anarchy
lowering on the side.
Method Of Questioning.
Elliott G. Stevenson, chief OF the
Tribune's counsel, pictured in words
the ravaged American border in the
days of June, 1915, when Villas ban
dts invaded this country. He said
Americans had been murdered, rob-
bed, their property destroyed and
their nations pride wounded.
And with such a condition con-
fronting this country, would you have
any prejudice against a newspaper
which would strive for the protection
Of the country" would come Mr.. Ste
venson's question.
The answer seemed poised on the tip
of each talesman's tongue. NO"
do you believe that this nation
should be defenseless?"
NO"
do you believe in preparedness?
yes"
Alfred J. Murphy, of Mr. Ford's
counsel, asked the rors if they
would give a fair trial to a man who
believed in lessening wars by appeal
to humanity and arbitration, and re-
ceived affirmative replies.
Two of the talesmen were dismissed
because they admitted having opin-
ions which il would take much evi-
dence to change. They were w. H.
Flory, cashier of a Mt. Clemens bank,
and A p. Grim, a retired merchant
and president Of the Business Mems
Association, who designated himself
as 1.-The town loafer."
at have formed an opinion" said
Mr. Grim. Butt" insisted Mr.. Muir
ply, for the plaintiff. you could
change IT: you have an open mind"
mo, I haven't an open mind, posi-
lively / haven't; not on this case"
One Man Is Disappointed.
Irving Ellis, a farmer, was frank
ly disappointed when he lost his seat