The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-15
CALLS FORD PROFIT
QUERY CAMOUFLAGE
Attorney for Defence Brings
Evidence That Subpoena
Came First.
CHANGE IN RELATIONS
"Tribune" Praised Manufac-
turer and Methods Before
Peace Issue Arose.
CHANGE IN RELATIONS
Special Despofeh 10 TINS suN.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich, July IA
Henry Ford took the witness stand this
morning in his million dollar libel suit
against the Chicago Tribune and was
taken In hand by Elliott G. Stevenson.
senior counsel for the Tribune, who went
directly to Mr.. Ford's relations with the
Tribune before and after the publication
of the editorial OF June %. 1915, in
which the newspaper called him an an
archist.
Mr.. Ford followed his son Edsell, who
was released from the witness chair
after two days examination. Mr.. Stew
ensoR was expected to be cough with
the young man. who was the object of
considerable disagreeable publicity dur
ing his fathers candidacy for the Sem
atorship because of the efforts which
kept him in his executive position with
the Ford Motor Company instead of in
military service. This point however,
was only touched on by Mr.. Stevenson.
who asked him whether he was con-
nected with the National Guard or any
other military organization.
Examined on Contracts.
Edsel Ford's examination was almost
entirely in regard to war contracts. The
most telling point made by Mr.. Steven
son was TO fix the date of a telegram
sent by Henry Ford to Carter Glass,
Secretary of the Treasury. asking for an
audit of war contracts and profits with
a view to turning the SSH per cent. be-
longing to Mr.. Ford back to the Gov
eminent.
Mr.. Stevenson has insisted that this
request for an audit was camoufage,
intimating that Mr.. Ford would not have
asked for 1t II his son had not been
subpenaed to bring the data into court
showing on its face that Mr.. Ford had
profited to the extent OF several millions
by war orders.
As a matter of fact the subpoena to
Edsel Ford was issued June 20 and the
request to Secretary Glass was sent
June 20. The telegram was worded so
as to indicate that such move had been
planned months before.
Mr.. Ford was questioned briefly as to
the early history of the Ford Motor Com
pany. c. w. Wills, who recently retired
from the concern. was mentioned as
ooworker with Mr.. Ford in developing
the automobile to a marketable stage
Then, referring to the anarchist" edi-
torial Of June %, 1915, Mr.. Stevenson
asked THE Tribune printed some other
things about you before that, did 1t mott"
Mr.. Ford did not remember the articles
definitely, and Mr. Stevenson introduced
three editorials, one when the Ford Motor
Company announced its IS day plan In
which the Tribune spoke highly or the
plaintiff as establishing new business
conscience" in the way OF generous treat
ment of the tollers. Another compared
the Ford attitude to that of the upper
peninsula mine owners, who, the Tribune
said, had started their workers back to
the mines, while Mr.. Ford had enabled
his employees to get a better hold on life
by his employment methods and gen
erous wages.
The other was about the same time
and much in the same line.
After these complimentary editorials
YOU discovered that you and the Tribune
were drifting apart, didn't youH" asked
Mr.. Stevenson.
at seems So" the plaintiff admitted.
Isn't it true that the rock on which
YOU split was the question OF national
preparedness?
The answer was noncommittal.
Isn't 1t true that what the Tribune
called preparedness you called militar-
ism?'
Admits Marshall Interview.
Mr.. Ford then was asked If he had
an interview with Edward Marshall in
1918. He said he had. This was the ia
NOUS interview from which some OF MI
Ford's anti-militarist expressions have
been taken, the one most frequently
quoted being the statement that the
word murderer should be embroidered
on the breast OF every soldier. Mr..
Fords attorneys have constantly insisted
during the trial that this quotation was
taken out of Its context and that II did
not have the broad meaning apparent on
it's face. The matter was not pursued