Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-07-17
new CAUSE IS
ASSIGNED FOR
GREAT wax
Germans Drank Beer and the
French Wine, Therefore
the War, Says Ford.

Mount Clemens. Mich, July IT,
Henry Ford at the opening of court
| today had respite from the witness
stand while magazine article about
himself by John Reed, published In
1916, entitled. "Industry's Miracle
Maker" was read,
When Mr. Ford resumed the stand.
the examination which began last
Monday was continued by Elliott G.
Stevenson, attorney for the Chicago
Daily Tribune which Mr.. Ford is su-
ing for $1.0o0.000 on charge Of libel.
The reading was interrupted to per-
nit testimony by Kirke B. Alexander,
an advertising agent Of Detroit
In December. 1917, he said. he in
terviewed Mr.. Ford AHA luncheon in
"Mr. Ford in the course of,a general
conversation said that II Cor
GUM. France and England
would related the witness II asked
him if he thought Germany was ready
for peace and he said yes, that the
kaiser was. He said that was why he
went over in the peace ship but he
was not allowed to see the kaiser
Witness said that the Ford plant
was selling motors to the government
at that time, but Mr.. Ford said it was
not for profit and he did not consider
them munitions of war. The CONVEX
sation turned on the defeat Of Russia
and that poor people held many of the
bonds and would suffer.
According to Mr. Alexander the fol-
lowing remarks followed:
Mr.. Ford: Let them go to work"
Mr.. Lucking: Perhaps many Of
them are sick"
Mr.: Ford: Then let them get
WELL"
It developed that Mr.. Alexander
handled the famous Ford advertise
ment headed, Concerning Prepared
ness" = VI.
II read it over and noticed that 1t
was signed by Mr.. Ford" said the
witness. II went to him to make sure
he had read it and reminded him that
by his signature he was accepting full
responsibility for the sentiment ex-
pressed. He said he understood that"
Mr.. Alexander said that 1t cost Mr..
Ford $4,000 to publish Concerning
Preparedness Humanity and SAN
ity'' and one other advertisement
Reading of the Reed article was
then resumed.
Mr.. Ford testified yesterday that he
knew Reed. The latter in the course
of bis article recqunted that Mr.. Ford
belonged TO, none ofsthe exclusive De-
troit clubs but preferred Of pleasant
evening to sit on a neighbor's back
porcn ana Talk Things over. He
has a mind of appalling simplicity
wrote Mr.. Reed. The article was lau-
datory and the words, poor, ignorant,
Mr.. Ford, sswere used in an admiring
way with reference to Mr.. Ford ad-
vancing wages and doubling his pro-
duction. i.
Ford Again on Stand.
The article says that you live in
a million dollar house." said Attorney
Elliott G. Stevenson, representing the
Tribune.
More than that, I think"
"A million and half?''
We'll, I don't really know
Maybe you don't want to know -
Il told them not to tell me- said
Mr.. Ford. laughing.
Mr.. Reed paints you as very
dem person who loves to sit on
a nefghbor's back rorch and talk. The
neighbors don't sit on your hack
porch, do they? Guards keep them
away, don't they?"
An objection was sustained.
Mr.. Ford opposed the use Of al
coholic drink and Mr.. Reed pointed
out that the Germans thrfved on beer
and the French on wine.
Yes, and ] think that was one of
the causes of the war; said Mr.. Ford.
''How?" asked the lawyer.
1T made them suspicious Of each
other"