The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1919-08-07
NO SWIVEL CHAIR
FOR FORD's SON
STAYED AT HOME DURING WAR
TO HELP IN PlANT-REFuSED
TO TAKE UNIFORM.
FATHER WAS RESPONSIBLE
Declares He Told Edsel That War
Work In Factory Needed Him.
Would Not Accept Safety
First Commission,

Mt Clemens, Mich. Henry Ford,
during the last hour OF his seven days
on the witness stand, took occasion
20 claim full responsibility for his son.
Edsei Fords, claim for exemption from
The selective draft. "le wanted to
enlist" said Mr.. Ford, bat to-, IN
that he could do more good where he
was. lie was offered several commits
sions which would have permitted him
% wear a uallorm and Stay r.gat IN
the factory, but he wouldn't accept
them."
Having made their decision, 1t was
shown, both Mr. Ford and his son re.
fpsed to camoutiage 1t behind j
swiyel chair commission carrying
900 and spurs.
This subject, the introduction Of
which has been awaited ever since
the trial opened, did nos develop along
the lines which had been generally ex-
pected. Mr.. Ford's inclination 70
shoulder full responsibility, his state,
ment that his son was absolutely
essential to the war work being done
in the factory and his revelation OF
the fact that Edsel Ford turned down
several offers Of a commission, dis.
armed criticisnA The charges, spread
during political campaign, and re-
Gently repeated on the floor of the
United States senate, to the effect that
the young president OF the Ford Motor
company had shirked his duty were SO
fully refu' ed that Tribune counsel did
not pursue the point
1t was the first time that q full OK.
planatlon Of the facts In connection
with Edsel Ford's war work has beer
made public and II was easily the
feature Of the eleventh week Of the
trial.
Henry Ford spent seven days on the
witness stand and Of this time he
gave less than two hours TO his owl
lawyers. AS long as counsel for The
Tribune was hammerlng him Mr.. Ford
sat quietly In the witness chair an.
swe-ing The constant fre OF questions
with great patience. But the instant
his own lawyers took him in hand his
attitude changed. He became self
conscious and diflideut. He would not
accept the efforts Of his counsel to
provide him with an opportunity to
reveal the full extent Of his patriotic
work during the war, his humauitart.
an views, or his advanced Ideas Of the
relations which should exist between
capital and labor.
ut ia all In the recordB," said Mr.
Ford Il have told II all here once"
He avoided, with care, anything that
verged on boasting. He would not
even describe the extent of the war
work which his factories did and when
record breaking performances In thu
production OF munitions was mention
cd he declared, I'VE did all we could
lot II 60 at that. want to forget
all about II feel Just as the sol
diers feel. don't want TO talk about
my war work"
The witness did, however, after be
ing pressed. explain that his son hat
bought out the minority stockholder'
OF Il @ Ford Motor company because
these intti ests had insisted on Mr.
Ford squeezing the last dollar out o
he public, the government, the work
era and the product. lie wanted Il
cut loose fiom his ASSOCIATES, he sail
so that he could carry cut his ideai
Of the distribution Of pro6ts to em
ployees through increased wages anC
to the piblic through lower prizes
II was either buy or sell and Mr.. Fore
had conf dered selling end organizing
new company. His son, howevoc
took VT the task OF buying out hi
minority stockholders and succeeded
dispite the general bolis; in the fnar
cial world that this stock could not b
purchased.
One Of the most interesting develop
ments Of Mr.. Ford's testimony cam
out when II was testified tha. the onIl
legislation Re has ever sought WI.
th't fer the pro sction OF birds, otns
men OF millions. II was shown, kee
lobbyists in the national and stat
capitol TO urge and work for speeds
privileges, but the ons favor that Sii
Ford has ever asked from the Law
makers rad nothing to do with b;
rwn 10 erests. II was curious bit 4
,ssi .fnony and left deep impressi
on the audience In the court chambe
The subject was q ttsult Of que
lions concerning Mr.. Ford's list ,
niends Ho named Thomas Edisc
and John Burroughs, the naturalist. I
bis best friends outside OF his IN
mediate associates.
Litigation Ia which Mf, Ford HI
been interested was another subje
! ~ sotarest n paa nhourn that VIII