Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-05-13
FORD LIBEL SUIT
 AGAINST TRIBUNE
 OPENS QUIETLY


 The preliminary examination of sev- en members of the panel by counsel for the plaintiff marked today's progress in the $1,000,000 libel suit of Henry Ford against the Chicago Fri bune.
 Had it not been for q fleeting visit to court by the plaintiff himself, the opening day of the long heralded trial would have been the veriest prose, but his advent, accompanied by his secretary and his son, Edsel, produced the only stir of the day. Mr. Ford finding that his, presence was nota necessary, remained only few minu- tes and then returned to his home. MT. Ford's complaint is that on June 23rd, 1916, the Chicago Daily Tribune, in an editorial injured him in his good name, credit, and reputa- tion; brought him into public hatred, contempt and ridicule, and injured him in his feelings, business and oth- erwise
 The Tribune, he alleges did this by. calling him an anarchist" an "ignor- ant idealist" "an anarchist enemy of the nation," and as being 'so incapa- ble of thought thatt''he cannot see the ignominy of his own performance" Lawyers Clash. The first words of the suit, even before members of the panel were call ed into the jury box for examination, were a clash. The four tables for the lawyers had been placed in long row those for the Tribune lawyers the more distance from the jury box. De- fendant counsel promptly dragged them nearer to the box between the Ford tables and judge. Counsel for MT. Ford then complained that in ad- dressing the court, the Tribune at torneys were inaudable to the oppos ing side. The judge ended the con- troversy by saying there would be a l Counsel for the Solomon News company, of Detroit, which for tech nical reasons, was made co-defendant with the Tribune, gave notice of a motion to change their plea from ig norance that the papers they circu- lated contained the alleged libel, to one of justification, which is the plea | made by the Tribune. Hearing on the motion went over till morning and 12 men were called into the jury box Two were excused forthwith, one be- cause of fainting spells, and the other because he could not be spared from his farm.
 Murphy Opens Case. Alfred J. Murphy, counsel for MT. Ford began the examination. He ex- plained to the panel that the Tribune editorial was written at the time the National Guard was being recruited and sent to the Mexican border, and that two days prior to the alleged libelous editorial the Tribune carried dispatch from Detroit stating that MT. Ford would not hold open the positions of any of his men who quit for military service, nor would he pay their salaries, as some other employ CTS were said to be done, nor care for their dependents.
 This, he said, was untrue. but nev- ertheless served as the basis for the 1 subsequent editorial. The suit, he con cluded, was the result
 l Each of the seven men quizzed be- fore adjournamcnt grinncd when ask ed if he was an anarchist. Call Witnesses. k Brownsville, Tex, May PA. par Fly of 25e present and fornier border ] peace3 officers, including Sheriff w., IF. vann, of Brownsville, left today flor Mt. Clemens, Michigan where tth4y have been summoned hy the de- ae f6 festifV in flle SiiiE fSf; Henry
 W nst the Chicago ribune.