The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-16
Sharp Cross-Examination by
Tribune Attorney ArouseS
Henry.
oUTBURST ON STAND
Despite His Counsel, Manu-
facturer Gives Way in Mo.
ment of Petulance.

| admitted that he was IAN ignorant
| idealist." Subsequently he reversed
| his statement.
| This was one Of the alleged libel
Gus charges made against him in the
| Tribune editorial. Attorney Elliott
/ G.. Stevenson, for the Tribune, had
been asking questions to establish II
| possible that Mr.. Ford as a matter
of fact, was ignorant. The witness
| said he made the answer merely to
| stop the examination. Later when
| formally asked to admit that he was
an Ignorant idealist" he declined to
| do so.
In the course OF the examination,
Mr. Ford defined a traitor>as "one
who works against the government"
an idealist as "one who helps others
to make a profit" and evidently with
Arnold Bennett vaguely in mind,
described Benedict Arnold as "a
writer"
Much time was consumed in read
ing President Wilson's preparedness
speeches Of 1916.
"Same Old Soarecrow Talk"
The things that Henry Ford
thought and that his peace secretary,
Theodore Delavigne wrote for him.
were again the topic of examination.
Mr.. Stevenson quoted the. phrase
same old scarecrow talk" and asked
who was meant. Mr.. Ford re-
turned his familiar reply, "Delavigne
wrote that" He added that the
"scarecrows" were the professional
agitators for preparedness.
Your position was that they were
advocating preparedness in order to
profit by munitions?"
"Over- preparedness. yes"
"Oh, you are still talking of over
preparedness l think you defined
that yesterday as anything in addi-
tion to what we had in 1915 or 1916"
reminded the lawyer. He then re-
ferred to the use of the word 'mur-i
derer" as applied by Mr. Ford to pro-
fessional soldiers and those who
make money out of war.
"Oh. no." replied the witness
quickly; that was during the war"
In the course of one of the Della
vigne articles, for which Mr.. Ford
takes full responsibility. the term
/ ''baliy -ho'' was used. Mr.. Ford, be-
ing questioned hazarded the guess
that 1t meant "blackguard." Mr..
Stevenson eIucidated. 1T means a
shouter, advertising a show or ex-
hibition," said he.
ut means barker" put in AL
fred Lucking, senior counsel for Mr..
Ford.
Have 1t your way, Mr.. Lucking,"
said Mr.. Stevenson, its all the
same"
Tilt Over Word. Treason.
"What do you understand by the
word, treason p" asked Mr. Steven
son, continuing the examination.
Anything against the govern
ment." said Mr.. Ford.
Mr.. Stevenson precipitated tor
rent of objections by asking the
meaning of the word traitor" in the
course of which Mr.. Ford interposed:
"Pll admit I'm an ignorant ideal
lst.'"
son in surprise, "if you admit that
shall not have to ask you any more
questions along that line"
"I'll admit it if it will close this
talk. 1t is for the jury to decide,
anyway"
But if you admit it, there will be
nothing for the jury to decide. The
admission settles it,"
PREDATORY to tnis outburst by the
witness, who was plainly nettled by
the examination, Mr.. Stevenson eX-
planned to the court:
"Your honor, the alleged libelous
editorial in the Tribune referred to
Mr. Ford as an ignorant idealist,'
The questions are to show that he Is
in fact ignorant, and If he Is an
idealist, and doesn't know the mean
ing of commonly used words, he is
plainly an ignorant idealist."
1t was at this point that the manu-
r I. hi nVNfr
admission, which, despite efforts of
his lawyers, he repeated.
The Tribune lawyer seemed con-
tent with Mr.. Ford's declaration and |
asked him a number of questions as |
to what he knew of the size, equip |
ment and distribution of the Ameri- !
can army in 1915 and 1916, the wit
ness having said yesterday that he |
considered the force at that time |
adequate for defense.
do you know how many troops |
were in the Philippines?"
NO"
ain Alaska"
mo"
"In Porto Rico?"
mo"
"By the way, what are the rela-
tions between the United States ana
Porto RICO
Judge Tucker suggested that this
line had been followed far enough.
But this man sets himself up as
an educator and wanted to go to the
United States senate"
Could Get Some One to Tell Him.
Mr.. Ford interrupted to say:
Il can get a man in five minutes
to tell me those things"
Gould you get one If you were
speaking in the senate?" asked Mr..
stevenson.
Counsel and the Judge became in
yolved in a controversy over side re-
marks and the question was not an
swered.
Mr.. Stevenson started to ask ques-
lions about history, but was stopped
by Judge Tucker, who said that sub
iect had been sufficiently covered
"All right" said the lawyer. Now
Mr.. Ford soberly, are you not ready
10 admit that you are an ignorant
dealist?' That is what the Tribune
,lled you and your counsel declare
that 1t is a lie"
This time MIR. Ford returned a DIFF
rerent answer, shaking his head
slowly. He explained that his pre-
yious Affirmative was merely to stop
he examination.
well, all right, Mr.. Ford. Now
m ask you what an 'dealist' is. You
understand III"
The witness thought for a moment
md then replied;
Ford Defines "ldealst."
L Il 4. l. l.. .