The Era-leader., 1919-08-14
NO ANARCHY IN :
FORD'S views
BISHOP WILLIAMS TESTlFlES IN;
THE 100000 LIBEL CASE
AGAINST TRIBUNE.
WON'T TELL "HALF-TRUTHS"
Noted Divine Says If Manufacturers
Theories Are Anarchistc Then
He Is In Danger Of eecom-
ing Anarchist Himself.

Mt. Clemens, Mich.-The Chicago
Tribune rested it's defense in the
S1,00O00O libel suit which Henry Ford
has brought against 1t after spending
seven weeks and two days In attempt
ing to prove that it was justified in
calling the manufacturer an "anar-
chist." The 18th week Of the trial
opened with Ford counsel Offering re.
buttal testimony against The Tri-
bune's defense.
The first witness for Mr.. Ford was
the Rt Rev. Charles D. Williams, D.
D.. Episcopal bishop of Michigan, who
appeared on the stand in rebuttal Of
the testimony Of Prof. J. S. Reeves,
professor OF political science in the
University of Michigan who had pre-
viously testified that Henry Ford's
views were distinctly anarchistic.
Bishop Williams said that Mr.
Ford's views were far from being
anarchistic and were, In fact, Chris
tian, common and often commonplace.
The Bishop refused to be led by
Tribune counsel In his answers and
insisted on telling 1.-The whole truth"
Asked whether he thought Henry
Ford's declaration that all armies
should be disbanded, all navies de-
stroyed and all material of war con-
verted into commercial implements
was anarchistic, the witness answer
ed:
Would Be Good World.
II could quote a half-dozen pas.
sages from Scripture that express al
most that idea. should say that the
main theme of these statements by
Henry Ford are distinctly Christian,
commonly preached In Christian pull.
! pits and that If they were lived up to
this would be pretty good Christian
world"
Bishop" asked Tribune counsel,
do you believe that Mr.. Ford has
quoted, patriotism is the last resort
of scoundrel.' 4,
II have often said so," responded
the witness. II have often seen 1t so.",
Concerning the doctrine CT non.
resistance Bishop Williams declared
he did not believe in such theory.
but that many Christians did.
1T is the belief Of anarchists" said
Tribune counsel. ,
Eyes and the belief Of Christians"
"Will you be good enough to ans
wer the question:" retorted counsel.
anarchists say that and Christ.
ans say that. am afraid l am going
to tell the whole truth"
NOW Bishop"
Would Tell Whole Truth.
II am going to tell the whole
truth"
You are telling something I have
not asked you to TELL"
you have not asked me for the
whole truth. have to follow my con-
science. am simple man."
81 an. afraid" continued the Bishop,
that if this is anarchy I agree with 1t
mostly" {;
Ford counsel then called William
A. Tanning, professor of history and
pc:.ical philosophy in Columbia Uni.
'crsity, to testify concerning Mr..
gord's theories and utterances.
when Henry Ford" said counsel,
"said that we should stop talking a.
bout one factory, one state and one
country and begin to talk about the
world, was he preaching the doctrine
of anarchy?'
mo that is the general thought Of
cosmopolitanism - human inclusive
ness; it has permeated all speculation
on political philosophy ever since
there was such philosophy"
"Is there anything peculiarly anar.
chistic about it?'
NO"
Us It in any way essential to anar-
chism?"
No"
"Mr Ford also said that he believed
humanity could make mistakes but
could do nothing worse; he said he
believed everything tended toward
the good, and that even the terrible
world war would result in blessing to
the world. Is there anything anarchistic
about those ideas?"
"They were commonplace before an
anarchist was ever heard Of. The
idea that man is naturally good is
the basis Of Plato's morals. 1t has
permeated moral philosophy ever
since"
Prof. Dunning was then asked to
run through the articles and inter.
views sponsored by Henry Ford and
Indicate the portions which would