Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-07-16
! Realizing Mistake Plaintiff
ip Libel Suit Reverses
Statement.
tPACIFIST GIVES
ORIGINAL ANSWERS
I Describes Benedict Arnold ~ "Writsr'
and Defines IdeaIist A. One Who
Helps Others Mako Profit-Stephen-
son Conducts Quiz to Show Degree of
intelligence Of PIaintiH-Ford At
tributes Writings to Secretary.

Mt. Clemons. Mich, July 1s.-In a
/ moment Of petulance while on the wit
! ness stand today Henry Ford, plaintiff
in q 100000 libel suit against the
Chicago Daily Tribune. admitted that
he was an ignorant idealist" Subse-
quently he reversed his statement.
This was one OF the alleged libelist
charges made against him In the Trl-
bune editorial. Attorney Elliott G..
Stephenson. for the Tribune. had been
asking questions to establish II pos
sible that Mr.. Ford, as q matter of
fact, was ignorant. The witness said
that he made the admission merely to
stop the examination. Later when for
mally asked to admit that he was "an
ignorant idealist" he declined to do 50.
1nsthe course Of the examination. Mr.
Ford defined traitor as "one who
works against the government" an
adealist 49, one "who helps others to
make profit. and evidently with Ar
mold Bennett vaguely in mind. de-
scribsd Benedict Arnold as q writer"
Much tins was consumed in reading
President Wilson's speeches on pre-
paredness OF 1915.
what do you understand by the
word 'treason'?" asked Mr.. Stephenson
continuing his examination.
Anything against the government"
said Mr.. Ford.
Ford Acknowledged "lsnorant IdeaIist"
Mr.. Stephenson precipitated a tor
rent Of objections, by asking the mean
ing OF the word traitor in the course
OF which MIR. Ford interposed:
"Ill admit I am an ignorant IDEAL
kt."
"Why, Mr.. Ford" said Mr.. Stephen
son. III you admit that I shall not
have to ask you any more questions
along that line"
I'll admit it II it will close this talk.
1t Is for the jury to decide anyway"
"But II you admitSit there will be
nothing for the jury to decide. Tho
admission settles It,"
Previous to this outburst by the
witness. who was plainly nettled by the
examination, Mr.. Stephenson explained
to the court:
"Your honor, the alleged libelist edit
orial in tho Tribune referred to Mr..
Ford as an ignorant idealist.' The
questions are to show that he is, in
fact, ignorant and II he is an idealist,
doesn't know the meaning Of common
ly used words, he is plainly an ig-
norant idealist."
Angsrsd Witness Makes Admission.
1t was at this point that the manu-
mission. which despite efforts OF his
lawyers, he repeated.
The Tribune lawyer seemed content
with Mr.. Ford's declaration and asked
him number Of questions as to what
he knew Of the size, equipment and
distribution OF the American army in
1918. the witness having said yester-
day that he' considered the force at
that time adequate for defense.
do you know how many troops were
In the Philippines2"
mo-"
I'm Aaska7'
mo"
I'm Porto Rico7"
mo"
by the way what are, the relations
between the United States and Porto
Rico?"
Judge Tucker suggested that this
line had been followed far enough.
Rsfersnos to Senatorial Aspiration
But this man sets himself up as
an educator and wanted to go to the
United SSts:es senai..' said Mr. Stepi,-
cnson.
II can get . man in five minutes ia
tell me these things" said Mr.. Ford.
Z ~Could you get one II you were
Stephenson.
Counsel and the Judge became in
vOlved In q controversy over side re-
marks and the question was not
answered.
Mr.. Stephenson started to ask ques !
tions about history but was stopped
nv Judge Tucker, who said that sub.
1ect had been sufficiently covered.
Y. Ford,s Definition 81 ldsaiist.
"All right" said the lawyer. Nov,
Mr.. Ford, s0berly, are you not ready,
10 admit that you are on ignorant
idealistT That is what the Tribune
called ryou and your counsel declares
that IT Ii lie.s
This time, Mr.. Ford returned = q
different answer, shaking his head
slowly He explained that his pre-
vious affirmative was merely to stop
slhe sxasnination.
wal ~ stghts AZ. Ford. Now I'll