The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-27

the Socialist Aldermen and one Of the
directors OF the Rand School. which was
raided on Saturday.
The first copy Of letter to Henry
Ford, as read into the record, did not
bear the signature. but was presumably
written by Mr.. Martens
The chief of our commercial depart
ment, Mr. A. A. Heller" is said, has
sent telegram to your firm asking
whether you are interested in selling
your product to Russia.
Il want to speak with you not about
trade In the narrow sense alone We
want to show you the aspects of our
aspiration. II is for that reason that
take the liberty Of asking you to grant
to our Mr.. Heller and me an interview
with you personally at time convenient
to Yourself"
I'VE find a similar expression running
through every one OF these commercial
letters" remarked Archibald e. Steven
son. associate counsel for the committee,
who read the correspondence into the
record.
This letter was dated on April Q, and
on April 81 MFR. Martens wrote again to
Mr.. Ford =
You are perhaps aware Of the fact
that the Russian Soviet Government has
established In the United States an office
for the purpose OF promoting friendly
economic relations between the Sovie,
Russian Government and the United
States. In spite of tho campaign OF
Misrepresentation which has been carried
on against Soviet Russia by reactionary
elements in the world on the one hand.
and on the other hand by people who
have been unduly prejudiced by such
elements or by lack of information about
conditions in Russia and of the aspira-
tons of the Russian laboring masses. we
find to-day that there Is possibility for
bringing about an understanding be-
tween these two countries which would
result in fruitful cooperation.
writing to you. I have. however. In
my mind. something else than the pure
ly commercial interests your Arm may
have in Russian trade. We would like
very much to discuss with you the social
aspect of the regeneration OF Russia
and we believe we could make you
understand that Soviet Russia is inaug-
urating methods of Industrial efficiency
compatible with the interests OF human
ity and unhampered by the curse Of
greed and graft"
Were there any replies to these let
ters?" asked Assemblyman McElligott.
Time Set for Interviews.
Eyes, there were," said Mr.. Steven
son. 1T have here a telegram from
Frank Campbell. assistant secretary to
Henry Ford. dated April rs. 1919, from
Fort Dearborn. and l will offer 1t in
evidence"
The despatch was addressed to Mr..
Martens and read:
&c. G. Liebold. general secretary to
Henry Ford. glad to see S. Nuorteva
Saturday and Sunday down in Detroit.
Have them wire definite time from Chi
cago."
At this point Assembiyman McElligott
interrupted to ask Mr.. Stevenson several
questions. The testimony reads:
Assemblyman McElligott "Mr. Stew
enson. have you any other replies besides
the one you have just read. coming from
Mr.. Ford or his secretary?''
Mr.. Stevenson: mot here
Assemayman McElligott: rs there
anything in the correspondence to show
that there was such meeting as Is i'm
piled in that telegram"
Mr. Stevenson: mo, haven't any
thing here u show"
Assemblyman McElligott: do you
know whether It was simply a CONNER
cial meeting for the purpose Of discus
sing the business relations?'
Mr.. Stevenson II know absolutely
nothing about it. except as Is set forth
in the letter which Just read"
1.-The committee was in possession OF
other letters that showed that this meet
ing took place." declared Mr.. Martens
at his office last night. They indicate
that the great question was as to
whether Mr.. Ford would be willing to
ship tractors TO Russia. Nothing wa.
settled at that time and another meeting
was to have been held later"
The first letter evidently intended &c
arouse the interest and sympathy OF