Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-07-16
HENRY FORD
GIVES NOVEL
] DEFINITIONS
Admits, Then Denies He is
an Ignorant Idealist; Ben
dict Arnold a Writer.

Mount Clemens, Mich, July 1S.-
In a moment Of petulance while on
the witness stand today Henry Ford.
plaintiff in a $1,ooo.ooo libel suit
against the Chicago Daily Tribune.
idealfst.'' Subsequently he reversed
his statement.
This was one Of the alleged libelous
charges made against him in the
Tribune editorial. Attorney Elliott G..
Stevenson for the. Tribune had been
asking questions to establish II possi-
BILE that Mr.. Ford as 4 matter Of fact
was ignorant. The witness said that
he made the admission merely to stop
the examination. Later when formally
asked to admit that he was an 'igno-
rant idealist" he declined to do so.
In the course of the examination
Mr.. Ford defined q traitor as zone
who works against the government"
''an idealist as one who helps others
to make profit" and, evidently with
Arnold Bennett vaguely in mind. de-
err"
Much time was consumed in read
ing President Wilson'S preparedness
speeches in 1916.
Mr.. Stevenson repeated the story OF
Benedict Arnold and his attempt to
betray his country, and of the British
Major Andre. through whose capture
the Arnold plot was disclosed. but Mr.
Ford said he had never heard or read
Of it
do you understand that it is the
duty Of a man who undertakes to ed
ucate the people as you did to pacif.
I, ism, to be educated himself? ?" asked
the lawyer.
"Yes. to an extent" answered Mr.
Ford.
| Witness said he knew what the
Declaration Of Independence was. bu,
did not recall details.
IT could read it If wanted to
| know" he said.
/ BY the way what was the United
States composed of before the revo.
lution?"
Land, guess" smiled the witness
Mr.. Stevenson took up the subjec,
OF Mexico. It was Mr.. Ford's opposi-
ton to sending the national guard tc
+, the border that largely inspired the
writing Of the alleged libelous edi.
torial in which Mr.. Ford was ctarac.
terfzed as an anarchist.
| You knew there was anarchy In
Mexico asked the attorney
l., knew there was dieorder."
archist? ?" 1T s. :.
"one who throws bombs or over.
~tuHufs- governments" replied the man.
ufacturer readily. ;aT IS =
our COUNSEL supplied you wifi
that definition didn't they?""
sNo, I always understood"
| Who was that told you in Cali.
fornian that two men were ready tc
finance a revolution in .Mexico?"
Il don't remember; I don't ever
know il he gave me his right name
| And you said that three bankers
started the European war. Will you
name them ?"'
Il don't recall saying it,
Didn't you say that to Henry A
Wise Wood of New York"
Il: don't read much Of what Mr.
Wood says"
| Name one of those bankers?" \
! Il don't know of them: I don't think
said it. I told Mr.. Wood that he wa.
slave of the financial interests, ]
! remember
| Mr.. Stevenson accused the witness
OF going around making hasty re-
marks" about the people beine
murderers and slaves, and taking
refuge in t'LApses Of memory
Mr.. Ford refused the testimony. OF
Mr.. Wood that he said he would haul
down the stars and, stripes from hi.
"Mr. Wood" related the witness,
| knew 1 was against preparedness and
he asked me how I could fly the
American flag over my factory, as /
ness. I said that perhaps after the
war we would have flag of all ma
tions. didn't say word about
hauling. down the stars and stripes:
| Mr.. Ford was still under examina-
ton by attorney Stevenson at adjourn
| ment.
Mr.. Stevenson quoted the phrase
same old scare crow talk" and asked
whom was meant. Mr.. Ford returned
that" He added that the scare
crows" were the professional asitat-
ors for preparedness.
! Tour position was that they were
advocating preparedness in order tc
profit by munitions" N" =
"Over preparedness. YES"
oh. you are still talking OF over
preparedness I think you defined thai
yesterday as anything In ADDITION tc
what we had In 1915 or 1s16."E re-
to the use Of the word s.murdererr
rs applied by Mr.. Ford to profession
I al soldiers and those who make money
out of<war.
Well. you were 4 murderer n
1917" suggested Mr. Stevenson.
oh. no. replied the witness quick
": that was during the war"
In the course of one Of the Dsla-
viene articles for which Mr. Ford
taxes fuil responsibility, the term
''bally-ho" was used. Mr.. Ford, beine
questioned, haxarded the guess that Il
meant 'blackguard." Mr. Stevenson
elucfdated: TT means q. shouter ad-
vert thafnr = shov ~ arh,h,sio., - ..ia