Arizona republican., 1919-07-31
EDITORIAL
GLASS HOUSES TENANTS
c. G. H. Editor

Without, in the least, proposing to pass upon the respective merits of either side in the now famous Ford Trib libel suit, we make bold to rise and deliver ourself of a few harmless words of comment
 The popular impression is that MT. Ford admitted without reservation that he was an ignorant idealist. This inn pression is not supported entirely by the facts as disclosed in the transcript of the testimony given at the trial and published by the Chicago Tribune. The l situation, in brief, was something like this: Counsel for the Tribune asked Mir. Ford the point blank question, Are you not an ignorant idealist, MT. Ford?' (We quote from memory and so minor details may not be accurately To which MT. Ford answered, No" Counsel then took a different tack and sailed at the witness again and again in his efforts to get then witness to ad- init that he was an ignorant idealist. Finally, after some minutes of ques- | tioning, Mir. Ford said, Well, if il will help matters any, I will admit that I am an ignorant idealist." And forth with the press of the country bursts into flaming headlines Ford admits he is ignorant idealist."
 The multitude then ridicules Ford because he is an ignorant idealist However, he will venture to suggest that a healthy majority of these rock throwing holier- than -thous are living in glass houses. We will also venture to suggest that nine cut of ten of them could give but vague and sloppy de- flnition of the word ignorant" and couldn't come within thousand yards of defining the word 'idealist." It's a 10 to 1 shot that Ford didn't kno'g what an ignorant idealist is when he qualifiedly conceded that he was one And if our average" reader thinks he can define these two words with any degree of accuracy, we dare him tc write it out forthwith and send it ir to- the Camel for publication. We mean, of course, without first seek. ing further afield than ones own fer tile gray matter for information. This bit of mental gymnastics is not in- tended for the high-brow.
 Ere we part. let us say that we hold no brief for Ford. He has. done 2 great thing for the human race in pro- ducing his universal" car, but he vii have to accomplish more miracles be- fore he can turn out a car in reach o1 the ordinary newspaper person. (Ed By this we do not include the pluto crats in the business offices.) Vt merely have in mind the quote: "le' him who is without a Ford amons you throw the first monkey wrench"
 Personally, we would dread it very much to be put on a witness stand il crowded courtroom and have z thirsty lawyer turned loose on us t' tap our fountain of knowledge. Vt would probably pull greater boner: than did Ford
 And now, if you want our persona opinion of Ford. we think he is ; genius. But when he got out of his line of genius-ing he became a buil fl a china shop. Moreover, as a reporter we had the pleasure of interviewing Ford immediately after his return iron his peace expedition. How woult you handle the Mexican situation, MT Ford?" we asked. Why" he calnsl. replied as he gazed out of the Pull man car window, 'T would educate tn Mexicans instead of sending a militar- expedition against them" There vol have Ford; on the matter of war h was a fanatic pure and simple. Blu now? Well, after his country went t war, he did more to nelp whip the Hul than many of these glass house ten ants who ridicule him as an "ignoran iCealist."