New-York tribune., 1919-07-15
on Stand
Tells of His
War Activities
Continued from page I

appeared in the testimony. The en-
plcyment of Mr.. Delavigne. it ap-
peared, was the beginning of Mr..
Fo1c's efforts looking to the disarrna-
ment of the world and the establish
ment of universal peace, for which
purpose, 1t appeared from one of he
nelavlgne articles, Mr. Ford set aside
Article which was published in "The
Free Press" quoting Mr.. Ford along
pacltst lines. 1t was on this subject
that Mr.. Ford and "The Tribune"
which was vigorous advocate Of pre-
paredness, parted company, the wit
ness admitted. Mr.. Delavignc quoted
Mr.. Ford as stating that the rest OF
ms life would be dedicated to estab
Ishlng universal peace, and an arti-
Gle to this effect was read to the Jury.
reply to the Ford arguments bv
Henry B. JOY, of Detroit, president Of
the Packard Motor Car Company, was
read, but on objection by Attorney
Ai1red Lucklng, representing Mr.
Ford, witness was not required to
answer questions about it, Mr.. Steven
son argued that Mr.. Joy criticised
Mr.. Ford as severely as "The Tribune"
dld IN the alleged libelous editorial
headed Ford Is an Anarchist" but
was not charged with libel, but Judge
tucker held the matter irrelevant.
Mr.. Ford gave his age as fifty-six
years, and in answering preliminary
questions he sketched the familiar de,
talls of the formation of the Ford
Motor Company sixteen years ago with
capital of $15o,OOO.
Mr. Stevenson offered in evidence a
Tribune" editorial of January IA,
1914. in which the Ford plan of a IS
minimum wage, which was put in eff
feet January II. 1914, was commended
era in the standard of relations be-.
tween employer and employe.
"Anythlng malicious in that, Mr..
Ford ~ asked Mr.. Stevenson.
NO., replied the witness in a low
voice
1T states your position fully and
fairly?"
Yes"
Another editorial, Extremes in
Michigan" in 1914, was read. It con-
trasted the lot Of northern Michigan
miners, who lost a nine months strike
and returned to work. with that of
Ford employees, who were being we'll
paid and being helped to pay for
homes. The course of the mine own
ers led backward, the editorial de-
clared, and that of Henry Ford for
ward
"Anything malicious in that: again
asked the attorney.
"No"
Mr. Stevenson referred to a story in
"The Free Press" in 1915, stating that
Mr.. Ford had started a world wide cam
paign for universal peace.
Mr.. Delavigne wrote that, | believe
He ,yrota II h,,t ,r-oc rocDopc,LI, III
was my publicity agent"
Did you allow such an article to be
published without knowing what was
in it ?"
ooh, knew part of il, in general
way"
did you read Humanity and San
ity'?"
yes, read that"
"And how about Concerning Pre-
paredness'
81 read that
"The Free Press article of August
%, 1915, quoting Mr.. Ford as saying he
, would devote his life 20 abolishing war
and the preparedness which was at the
bottom of all wars, was read.
What did you do to combat war;?
asked Mr.. Stevenson; hire Mr. Della
vigne to write for you?"
THAT was the beginning; yes
The cross-eXamination of Edsel Ford
was intended to show that the man
thus accused was in 1917 the same man
who was devoting all his resources to
prosecution of the war against Ger
many. and doing so without cent of
profit to himself.
1t developed that some of the differ
cnces of opinion which have arisen
among accountants engaged by Mr.
Ford on the books to determine Mr.
Ford's personal profits concerns auto
mobiles sold for war work. Some hold
that as these cars were the regular
product of the factory the profits
should not be classed as war earn
ings.
On redirect examination of Edse
Ford, Attorney Elliott G.. Stevenson, OF
"Tribune" counsel, sought to show tha
the Ford company was compelled to dc
war work or do nothing.
NO" replied Mr. Ford. that is no
true. The government controlled raw
material, bat | think We could have
continued on a restricted basis"
But you would have had to lay of
thousands of men and wreck your or
ganzation ,"
Yes. it would have wrecked the or
ganization."