The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-07-14
FORD
TAKES STAND
IN libel SUIT
against MiIItarism, Not Pre-
paredneSS, He Says,
;0N GIVES TESTIMONY
Denies Firm Had 10 Do War
Work or Suspend,

MT. CLEMENTS, Mich July IA
lenfy Ford, Detroit automobile man
biac,urer and plaintiff in the 5000
Q0 libel suit against the Chicago
Tribune. took the witness stand IN
rour here today Just before the noon
recess. He answered only few tou-
inc question, before the noon ad
0urnment was taken.
Ford succeeded his son. EdSel OIL
Ihe stand, the younger Ford giving
estimony today concerning the war
profits and contracts of the Ford Mo
Tor company.
After the recess Attorney Steven
Ion. for the Tribune, swung his ex-
bmnation OF the motor magnate into
he important issue of preparedness.
"You were against preparedness
while the Tribune was fighting for II
and on ,hi, issue you split, didn't
bou'" Attorney Stevenson asked.
We'll" answered the man that the
Tribune called an anarchist, Il am
hot against preparedne" but against
bn'litarism."
Then followed the introduction OF
numerous articles and interviews
gwen BY Ford to newspapers. The
witness Stated that a Mr.. Delavignc
wrote the stories but that he was re-
sponsible for them. Most Of them
dealt with the issues Of preparedness
Delavigne was Fords publicity man
"You state. Mr.. Ford" httorne,
Stevenson said, that those who favor
preoaredness favor war. Do you be-
lieve that yet"
The answer was interrupted BY the
reading OF an article coming from
Ford relative TO the dangers OF mi'i-
,arism and preparedness. II stated
that Mr.. Ford had made all his money
through peaceful pursuits and that he
would spend |, al to retain peace.
4 Son Tsstifiss.
The government advanced no money
10 the Ford Motor company for wal
work. according TO the testimony ol
Ed,el Ford, president OF the com
pany. 4,
Mr.. Ford was on the stand In th'
suit OF his father, Henry Ford, agains
NJ Chicago Daily Tribune, last Fri
dsy. at adjournment. and was cross
examined by Attorney Fred. Luckinr
when the third month OF the tria
opened today
.There we're times when the raw
material wa. on the ground. and vorl
on il started, that the government re-
imbursed u.s." continued the witness.
The Tribune, which is charged will
iibeIlinQ Mr., Ford in an editorial b.
calling him an anarchist, has presented
evidence intended TO prove justifiea
t;on, charging that Mr.. Ford endeav
oecd 10 prevent mobilization Of III
nstionai guard along the Mexicai
bosder in 1916 and pointed out certain
utterances alleged to be in opposition
10 oil war, and to government as con
stituted at present.
A TO War Work.
The cross-examination OF Ed'e
Ford was intended to show that IN
msn thus accused was in IVY devot
inn ali his resources to prosecution o
th1 war against Germany and dom
20 wi.hou, . cent Of profit to himself
On redirect examination Of Edse
Ford, Attorney Elliott G. Stevenson
Of Tribune counsel. sought to sho'
thai The Ford company was oonpelle
10 do war work or do nothing
"No.r replied Mr.. Ford, "thst is nc
true. The government controlled ry
material. but think we could hav
continued on a restricted basis.
"But you would have had to lay oi
p<housands Of men and wreck your OF
ynhisationl"
Yves, il would have wrecked tn
- III, ,aS,osu