New-York tribune., 1919-07-23
Admits ON Witness Stand
i'm Libel Suit That He
Discussed Scheme With
His Advertising Man
Paid $1,000 for
Work Never Done
Tells Attorney He Can
Read, but Is Slow Be.
cause He Has Hay Fever


Henry Ford, still occupying the witness
stand in his million dollar libel suit
against "The Chicago Tribune" ad-
mltted to-day, in answer to a question
by Elliot G. Stevenson of defendants
counsel, that he had once planned to
have his publicity man rewrite the
Bible in "plain, modern English" but
after talking the matter over had given
it up.
Another unexpected question by At.
torney Stevenson came when he asked
Mr.. Ford if he could read To this Mr.
Ford answered "Yes." and then ex-
planned that he read slowly, and was
bothered by hay fever. Mr.. Stevenson
apologlzed for the question. but said
conditions had made it necessary to
ask it,
Continues Peace Efforts
incidentally. it became known that
Mr.. Ford has not ceased his efforts to
promote world peace. He will send a
newspaper correspondent with President
Wilson to report the latter's speeches
in support Of the league of nations,
which, Mr. Ford testified last week. he
,
and will distribute the correspondent 5
stories TO list of papers which have
been taking the report of his news bu-
reau on the present suit
A feature of to-day for Mr.. Ford
was the ending of the gruelling cross
examination, and he sighed with relief
when he found himself once more in
the kinder hands of his attorney,
Alfred Lucking, who at once, by re-
y n toc 81 nf
dispelling impressions created by some
of Mr.. Ford's answers to questions by
opposing counsel.
Gatekeeper Has playhouse"
Mr.. Ford said that he was born of
farmer parents at Dearborn, Mich, his
present home.
did you tell John Reed. the maga-
zine writer, that you built a $4,000
house for your gatekeeper?' asked Mr.
Lucking.
is nothing but sort of chldren's play
house, about ten feet by ten
ut was Just bit of the writer's
imagination
Yes"
"Mr Reed spoke of guards about
this into armed guards. What have you
there"
"Only the one gatekeeper."
"And why do you keep him ?"
ITO keep from being overrun."
"Hundreds of people call on you in
year and you talk with them"
YES"
"And is that why your memory fails
to retain much that they or you said ?"
~ think So"
was Edward Marshall at the plant
for some time?" asked Mr.. Lucking
yes"
with a sort of understanding was
there that he was to write a book on
your life?"
THAT was what he expected"
"He was disappointed in this?'
"Yes'
''And that was why you gave him
$4,000? Why was work on the book
stopped" ?"
because I didn't have time to help
him.
Denies He Is Anarchist
Now, Mr.. Ford. are you an anar-
chist?'
"No, sir"
Ever broken any law"
"Speeding, yes"
You were riding in some other car,
weren't you?" put in Attorney Wey-
amid laughter.
Have you ever associated with an
archists or persons of that sort 2"
asked Mr.. Lucking.
"No"
"Who are your associates-Thomas
A. Edison and John Burroughs, the
naturalist?"
"YeS."
"You are interested in birds and
worked for legislation for their pres
ervation?"
"Yes"
Mr. Lucking quoted Mr.. Ford al hav-
inc no use for patents. "You were in
suits over the Seldom automobile pat
ents ?"
And freed the industry from
monopoly"
"Yes"
"Have you ever tried to patent your
own ideas?"
"No"
SO far as witness could recall, the
published in "The Detroit Free Press"
August p, 1915 Later he had formal
interviews with John Reed, Edward
Marshall and Willis j. Abbott, for
magazines.
"These are all you remember of q
formal nature?'
eyes. sir"
"You told Theodore Delavigne that
you would make munitions in defence
Of your country, but would not take a
cent Of profit, didn't you?"
yes"
and you have adhered to that?"
"Yes."
"Did you ever understand that It was
crime to differ with the President?"
mo; ! understand man has right
to debate public questions"
at didn't make you an anarchist to
do so?"
ono, sir"
What instructions did you give
Theodore Delavgne in preparing arti-
cies against war and undue prepara-
tions for itP'
"Only to get the facts"
Did you cver toll him to use any
measurements o.
"No"
"Hnd you any personal feeling
against any preparedness advocates 2"
mo. sir"
"You remember talking with several