The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-23
WITNESS FAILS
TO SHOW UP
Lawyers Much Perturbed
Over Missing lanes
Ky Connors.
DEFENSE BEGINS CASE
Witness Testifies Ford Saids
Word Murderers Should Be
Inscribed on Soldiers
Gs Breasts."
DEFENSE BEGINS CASE
(BY HARRY REUT

| James Connors, of Det star wit
ness for the plaintiff the Ford
Chicago Tribune $l,00 Z libel sui
| is missing, according : e attorney
for the Tribune todai : he lawyer
| said that a vigilant : III had bee
made for Connors AZ : is house ha
been watched, but : tut result.
I'VE want to KIN! said one o
the attorneys, "whet: or not he ha
run away" n
During the prese.-. Ltion OF tn
plaintiffs case Connors testified tina
he had been told by an executive o
the Ford plant that dependents 0
men In the Ford factory who joine,
the national guard would be provide,
for and their positions given then
when they returned. This is direc
contradiction Of one of the allega
tions of the Tribune's editorial
Tribune lawyers desire to call hin
for cross examination, but have beer
unable to get in touch with him.
John r, Lee, a former Ford execu-
tive, was a witness for the defense
today.
He testified that Fcrd had said
"the word murderer should be en-
broidered on the chests of all SOL
diers."
"Did he specify which soldiers?'
inquired counsel.
mo qualifications" said Lee,
Lee also repeated philosophy al
legged to have come from Mr.. Ford
about children being. taught to hate
rather than admire soldiers, and told
of Fords preparedness talk.
Statements that "he didn't blame
men for avoiding military service
that ''the navy should be sunk and
the army disbanded," and similar ut
terances were attributed to Ford by
the witness.
Upon cross examination Lee stated
that Ford, in speaking of militarism
had always declared that It should
be done away with in the entire
world, never specifying any one
country.
Lee nodded affirmatively when At
torney Murphy, Ford counsel.
asked:
Didn't Mr.. Ford stop all CONNER
cial work, put his factory on 100
all speed?"
AanBWeT nOI klNcu.D
"Was there anything anarchistic
about his actions?" Murphy contin-
ued
'T can't say as to that" Lee replied.
Ford Leaves Stand.
Henry Ford's testimony in his
81 900, 900 libel suit against the Chi
cago Tribune ended at exactly. $50
o'clock today with the Detroit auto
mobile manufacturer excused from
the stand, He was in the witness
chair a few hours more than eight
DAYS.
Ford left the stand with grin and
the ewes of the jury and every person
in the courtroom followed him as he
left the room.
Examination of Ford today was
brief Attorney Alfred Lucking cut
short his examination of the witness
at Mr.. Ford's request. while Elliot
for the Tribune, did not
indulge in lengthy recross- eXamina-
ton. The witness was on the stand
only about thirty minutes.
did you subscribe to all the lib
erty loan issues?" was the first ques-
ton asked by Attorney Lucking, to-
day.
Yes" Ford said.
"Are you in favor of women re-
ceiving the same pay as men in your
factory?"
YES" was Ford's answer.
Cross Examination.
After few routine questions At
torney Lucking said, that's all' and
turned the witness over to Steven
son.
Attorney Stevenson went into the
famous Dodge Ford suit in which
he supreme court compelled Ford to
lisperse $1s,O0OOO0 to the stock
holders instead of using the money
n business expansions.
you advertised that you were go
ng to manufacture better car, re-
'erring to the supreme court decision
Is unfair, in an interview" Steven
son said You bought the holdings
If minority stockholders"
II didn't, my son did," Ford re-
,lied.
Stevenson tried to bring out that
he stock had been depressed by
Tord's announcement that he in
ended to withdraw from the COM
,any and manufacture cheaper car
md was thus able to buy the stock
,10,000,000 cheaper than its original
'alue. Ford denied he had ever re-
erred to the supreme court decision !
Is s"unfair.
EdseI Ford's Record.
A few moments were spent today |
,oing into the reasons why Edsel |
FORD avoided military service. Ford |
ook all the blame for his sons fall !
ire to join the army.
"Edsel wanted to join the army"
le said. "He wanted to be a dough- |
10Y. l objected. He was offered sew |
raj commissions but would not ac-
ept them. didn't want any |
did not want him to
trut around in uniform when he !
vas at work in our plant"
Were his services essentially
stevenson asked.
WELL" said Ford, they were. You
ee, we had been working together in
he plant for years and his position
vas very necessary especially when
,e got the war contracts"
After few routine questions con-
erning the war work of his plant
ord was excused and left the stand.