The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-08-15
HISTORY OF CASE.

Mt. Clemens, Mich, Aug. 15.-The
FOrd-Tribune case was one of the
most novel in legal history. It dated
back to early 1916 when the Chicago
Tribune published the now famous
"Ford is an Anarchist" editorial,
based on certain Ford-signed adver-
tisements against preparedness.
Ford demanded retraction. The
newspaper refused, declaring in let
ter that although Ford might not
be bomb throwing anarchist, he was
against the government.
Suit was filed shortly afterward in
United States district court, north
eastern district of Illinois, before
Judge X. M. Lands. =,
Answer was filed and Ford de-
INJURED to the answer. The demurrer
was under consideration when Ford
dismissed the suit.
.... Ford Files Again.
Shortly. .afterward a new1suit was
filed in the oireuit court of Wayne:
county (Detroit), thus bringing into
the case SolomQn Bros, Detroit news
dealers, who sold the Tribune. as CO.
Fourteen weeks ago the trial start
ed here after a change of venue had
been granted the Tribune, which
contended a fair, trial would not be
possible at Detroit, Ford's home town.
Through the weeks attorneys
threshed over the evidence with but
little to break the monotony until
Ford himself took the stand a few
weeks ago. He remained for seven
days of vexatious questioning.
During this time he admitted ad-
vertisements fighting what he termed
cover preparedness were written for
him by his "peace secretary Theo-
dore DeLavigne, and only signed by
Ford.
Knew Little Generally.
Attorney Stevenson of the Tribune,
by much questioning brought him to
the admission that he knew little
about history and politics even
though che attempted to educate the
people to his preparedness plans, and
was candidate for United States SEN
atorial nomination recently"
Ford admitted he never had heard
of John Andre, said he thought Bene-
dict Arnold was a writer and that
mobile army was large army. He
knew, however, the intricacies of me-
chanics and was much more at ease
when the questioning drifted to SUBJ
iects relating to his life study.
Not Sef-Reliant.
The manufacturer on the stand was
not the self-reliant, unObstrusive
worker he is at his plant. Clearly
rshe~~ was nervous, unacquainted with
his surroundings, too willing to an
sMer questions that the trial might
be speeded even at cost to himself.
Failure to wait for the guiding ad-
vice of his attorney got him in many
a tangle. He would sit slumped slight
ly forward, his chin cupped in his
hand, his brow wrinkled, his right
hand twitching, turning, thumb rub
bing over fingers, crossing and re-
crossing his feet, seemingly deeply
engrossed in his inquisitor and that
gentleman's efforts yet caught many
times mentally tinkering with some
mechanical subject.
His last two days on the stand saw
a stiffening against the Tribune at
torney's attack. He was more eau
tious he succeeded in warding off
many blows which before fell.
Trial Was Extensive.
Few people, if any, have more than
a general idea of what the trial cost.
One mathematica1ly inclined news
paper man who has been at the
''ringside" throughout said $5OO.O0O
was spent by both 1itigants in actual
court work. He did not include money
spent by Ford in maintaining in
formation and press bureaus. Seven
teen lawyers actively were engaged in
the court room, seven retained by
Ford, eight by the Tribune and two
representing Solomon Bros, CO.
defendants Elliott c. Stevenson,
senior Tribune counsel, was under
stood to receive between $500 and
s40O a day. This was not doubted
by uninterested legal men. It also