The sun., 1919-07-24
Could Have Had a Commits
sion and Stayed in the
Factory.
NO CAMOUFLAGE FOR HIM
Motor Man Tells About Dodge
Suit and Quits Courtroom
for Home.
Special Despatch TO tbs Sun.

of for home, and Ill not come back
here unless dragged back with the aid
Of a subpoena"
So said Henry Ford this forenoon
Immediately after he had been ex-
oused from the stand after seven
day session.
with his testimony completed, the
case is nearing its end. and It is conf
IDENTIFY expected the verdict will be
announced about August s"-per-
haps before. Long days OF rebuttal.
Of argument by a half dozen lawyers
and of Judge fuckers charge to tho
jury are yet to be heard. but real
testimony is practically all in.
In his less than an hours testimony
this morning Mr.. Ford assumed fun
responsibility for his son EdSel being
in civilian clothes throughout the war.
He stated, however, that a uniform.
commission and duties right in the
Ford plant had been offered the son
time and again, but declined because
the father would have no such camou-
fiage.
Mr.. Ford was closely questioned by
Attorney Stevenson on the subject and
sought to show that an appeal from the
draft boards decision was pending at
the time Mr.. Ford took up war work.
but the witness failed to remember the
time. Mr.. Stevenson delved into the
Dodge Bros.'s suit for distribution of
profits of the Ford plant amounting to
nearly $20,000.000, Ford holding that
the suit was primarily ito keep us
from going on rather than for a profit
distribution"
Flivver Patriotism.
Mr.. Ford also announced that Frank L.
Klingensmith. vice-president of the Ford
company. had "a right to speak for him
in the summer Of 1916. 1t WAS Mr..
Klingensmith who was interviewed by
p. Whitcomb Williams. Detroit CORE
spondent Of the Chicago Tribune, in
regard to whether or not the company
would provide for employees depend
ents, pay salaries TO enlisted men, &c.
from which the "fivver patriotism
article was published in the Tribune
and later Incorporated in the alleged
Hbelous editorial that forms the basis
of this suit.
Mr.. Ford was asked by Mr. Stevenson
whether the fact that incomes of more
than $1,000 900 we're taxed IS per cent
had anything TO do with relinquishing
OF war profits and the answer was:
The less money l have the less
trouble I have"
At the opening Of court Mr.. Ford was
re-cross by Mr.. Stevenson,
who asked:
g And without examining you in de-
tail with reference to that, Mr.. Ford,
do you wish, in what you have said. to
in any way qualify or contradict what
your son said about that?
A No. sir.
Q. II there is anything in your sons
testimony that you recall. that varies
from your recollection, l would be glad
TO have you state 1t.
A I want TO forget all this war work.
Q. Get this lawsuit over and we will
all forget 1t.
A want TO get rid Of the particular
part OF the war work, and / feel the
same as all the soldiers do,
Dfs- Into War Pronts.
Here Mr. Stevenson called Ford's at
tention to the war profits that the wit
ness is trying to refund to the Govern
ment with reference to the Eagle boats
and a letter dated December 22, 1917,
was read on the subject Ford was
asked II Mr.. Delavigne, peace secretary
was not with Ford when the letter was
written. Mr. Ford did not think he was
q. Then, so far as you recollect, this
ts the only one. or the first one that this
direct and definite statement was made
IN writing7
"A. Yes. except In a general way that
have always said anything that ] did
IN war would do without proht
Q. Can you produce or can you recall
from your memory or anything before
this time on that subJeotf On the sub
5ect of profit I mean?
A ] don't recall anything Just now
no. sir.
Q, Now. Mr. Ford, this pront is not q
very serious matter, Is itH
A. Serious matter?
q, Yes. II you had not been doins
war work you would not have done any
work, would your
n Well, ! think a great many OF the
factories were running on something.
Q. Don't you know that It was the
general policy OF the Government in 1911
to commander all factories that could
be. made useful for making war work I
A Up to 4 certain extent think
there was rs or 80 per cent lesa
Q. Wasn't II finally cut OF and weren't
they finally told that they must 20 tc
100 per cent. within a certain time?
A. 1 don't know that, Mr. Stevenson.
Q. Your son. think. said the repairs
was a special arrangement
A. Yes, l think SO.
q. Any repairs on cars that you had
sold 20 anybody before7
A Yes, sir.
q. That was a very profitable branch
u the business wasn't It!
Very Profitable Branch.
4 Well guess It Is a prontAbis
bfAnchLs
q. Don't you reoollect as long ago Al
1915 that the profits on repairs wsrS
something about $4,000. 900 yearf
A don't know: don't rememf er II
q. Those figures were produced In the
case that you referred to. the Dods,
A I don't know; II they wsrs thsy
can be produced again
Mn 1ucktng: don't see how II Il
material, IL your honor please. or what
h has to do with H.
q. Mr.. Lucktns challenged your al
tsntion also. Mr.. Ford. to that suit that
you were being interfered with BY your
Etookholdersf
A. Yes. sir. that was being tntsrfered
With.
q. he referred to the Dodge suit; also
ne said that you were being interferst
with by your stockholders. and therefqf'
you did not feel free TO take . contrbo