The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-14
FORD TAKESSTAND
Manufacturer Called as Witness
for Paper He Is Suing.
Examined by Stevenson, Coun-
sci for Chicago Tribune.
SON DENIES GOVERNMENT AID
Declares e. S. Advanced No
Money on War Contracts.
Admits Company Reimbursed
When Work Had Started.
SON DENIES GOVERNMENT AID
Declares Q. S. Advanced No

Mount Clemens, July 14.-henIy
Ford took the stand as witness to-
day in his libel suit against the Chi
cago Daily Tribune.
He was called as a witness for the
Tribune which he is suing for ST.
100000 because in 1916 the paper
characterized him as an anarchist. He
followed his son Edsel on the stand.
Direct examination was by Elliott G..
Stevenson.
Mr.. Ford had been waiting since last
Thursday to testify. He gave his age
as Sc years, and in answering prelim-
mary questions, he sketched the ia
millar details of the formation of the
Ford Motor Co. 1e years ago with
capital of $4,000.
Reads Tribune Editorials.
Mr.. Stevenson offered in evidence a
Tribune editorial of January IA. 1914.
in which the Ford plan of SIS mimi
mum was commended in glowing
terms as marking a new era in the
standard of relations between employ
er and employed.
Anything malicious in that. Mr..
Ford?" asked Mr.. Stevenson.
NO." replied the witness in low
voice.
TT states your position fully and
fairly?"
Yes"
Another editorial Extremes in
Michigan" in 1914 was read. 1t con-
trasted the lot of northern Michigan
miners, who lost 9 nine months strike
and returned TO work. with that Of
Ford employees who were being well
paid and being helped to pay for
homes. The course of the mine own
ers led backward, the editorial de-
clared, and that of Henry Ford for
ward.
Anything malicious in that?" again
asked the attorney.
NO"
| A third editorial asserted that Mr..
Ford was a greater business man than
a philanthropist. 1t referred to him
as one of the great geniuses of the
world. Witness admitted there was
nothing malicious in it.
U. S. Advanced No Money.
The government advanced no money
to the Ford Motor company for war
work, according to the testimony of
Edsel Ford. present president of the
company.
Mr.. Ford was cross-examined by At
torney Alfred Lucking when the third
month of the trial opened today. r-
There were times when the raw
material was on the ground, and WORK
on it started, that the government re-
imbursed u.s." continued the witness.
The Tribune has presented evidence
intended to prove justification charg-
ing that Mr.. Ford endeavored to pre-
vent mobilization or the national
guard along the Mexican border in
1915, and pointed out certain utter
ances alleged to be in opposition to all
war and to government as constituted
at present.
The cross examination of Edse
Ford was intended to show that tbs
man thus accused was in 1917 devot.
ing all his resources to prosecution Of
the war against Germany and doing 81
without cent of profit to himself.
Compelled To Do War Work?
On redirect examination of Edse
Ford, Attorney Elliott G. Stevenson, o.
Tribune counsel. sought to show the
Ford company was compelled to dc
war work or do nothing.
NO" replied Mr.. Ford, that is no
true. The government controlled rAr
material. but 1 think we could hav,
continued on a restricted basis"
But you would have had to lay of
thousands of men and wreck your or
ganization?'
Yes, it would have wrecked the or
ganization."