Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-07-23
GRUELLING OF
FORD ON STAND
CLOSES TODAY
After Questioning By
Own Council Tribune
Lawyer Ends Quiz.

Mount Clemens, Mich, July 23.-
Examination of Henry Ford, who is
suing the Chicago Daily Tribune
for S1,000,000 on a charge of libel,
was concluded today. 1t was the
manufacturer eighth day as wit
ness. Alfred Lucking, his senior
counsel asked only a few minor
questions and witness was turned
over to Attorney Elliott G. Steven
son, representing the defendant.
do you mean by any of your re-
plies to Mr.. Lucking to change or
qualify any of your direct admis-
sions to me?" asked the Tribune
lawyer.
mo sir" answered the witness.
Recalls Dodge Case.
Mr.. Stevenson recalled the case
of the Dodge Brothers, minority
stockholders, who went into court
in 1916 and compelled Mr.. Ford to
distribute half of $52,0O0,000 sur
plus in dividends.
Mr.. Ford admitted that F. L.
KIingensmith, a vice-president of
the Ford Motor company, was auth
orized to speak for the company. P.
W. Williams, correspondent of the
Tribune at Detroit, previously testi-
fed that it was Mr.. Klingensmith
who told him that national guards
men from the Ford plant, who went
to the border, would not be pros
ecuted while absent, nor would their
places be held for them, nor their
dependents looked after.
Cut Profits to Aid Workers.
On further examination by Mr.
Lucking, witness said that in the
lower court the Dodges enjOined
MIN from enlarging his plant, but
this was reversed by the supreme
court of Michigan.
Mr.. Ford said he had wished at
that time to expand in order to en-
ploy more men at good wages. He
reduced the price $50 per car in or
der to increase production to S00,-
600 cars he said, and Dodge Broth |
ers charged that this alone sacri- |
feed s40,0O0,0O0 in potential profits |
Tells Of I.usitania Sinking.
The next bit of evidence was in
the form OF a deposition from a
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. physician, DR.. !
Johannes Won Tillin.
1t appeared from the doctors
deposition that Mr.. Ford was in the
physicians office when the news
of the sinking of the Lusitania was
received and Mr. Ford remarked |
that Americans were folish to be |
on board as they had been warned. |
Says He Kept EdseI Out.
According to the testimony of I
Henry Ford today his son, EdseI, |
wished to go to war, but was dis |
suaded by his father.
The subject of the exemption of |
Edsel Ford has figured on the re-
cent speeches in the United States !
senate.
''Will you state whether your !
son had become necessary to the /
work of your factory when the
United States entered the war in
order to relieve you of the detail
of it?" asked Mr.. Lucking.
I'VE have worked together all his
life time" said the witness.
Had he reached a position where
he was a great relief to you?"
Yes, he is a great relief to me-"
"In looking after war wOtk?"
yes"
"He personally was willing to go
to war;"
Eyes, he had many offers"
You felt you needed him in the
factory?"
yes"
WAS he offered commissions n
the army although he would stay
right in the factory?' /
yes" II
"On war work?"
Yes, but he declined them"
Opposed ~CamOufIage Commission
DO you remember saying that
you did not care to see him camou-
1age, to wear a uniform and appear
10 be in the service, when he was
actually attending to necessary
work in the factory"
YES" K
Attorney Stevenson asked Mr.
Ford if he assumed all responsible
ty for his son not enlisting.
"Yes, l think 1 did," replied the |
HE was more useful to you. in
he factory?"
yes"
The draft board disagreed with
you?"
Il think so"
THAT is ALL"
The long communication of the
Mexican government in 1916 ask 7
ng that American troops be with !
Irawn from Mexico was read by !
Warren S. Stone of coun-
el for the Tribune