New-York tribune., 1919-05-13
Opposing Attorneys Argue
Over Position of Tables;
Auto Manufactures Re-
mains Only Few Minutes
Seven Examined in Panel
Prospective Jurors Smile
When Asked if They Have
Anarchistic Tendencies

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich, May 10.
The preliminary examination OF
seven members of the panel by coun-
sell for the plaintiff marked to-day's
nroeress in the $1,000,000 libel suit
of Henry Ford against The Chicago
Tribune.
Had Il not been for heeting visit
TO court by the plaintiff himself, the
opening day of the long heralded trial
would have been the veriest prose. but
his advent, accompanied by his secre-
tary and his son, Edsel, produced the
only stir OF the day. Mr.. Ford, find
ing that his presence was not ncces-
sary remained only few minutes and
then returned to his home.
Called Him "Anarchist"
Mr. Ford's complaint is that on June
%, 1916, "The Chicago Tribune" in an
editorial, injured him in his good name,
credit and reputation; brought him
into public hatred, contempt and ridi-
cule, and injured him in his feelings.
business and otherwise.
THE Tribune" he alleges, did this
by calling him "an Anarchist" "an
enemy Of the nation" and accusing
him Of being $50 incapable of thought
that he cannot see the ignominy of his
own performance"
The first words Of the suit, even be-
fore members of the panel were called
into the jury box for examination, were
a clash. The four tables for the law
yers had been placed in long row,
with those for "The Tribune" lawyers
the more distant from the jury box.
Defendant counsel promptly dragged
them nearer to the box and between
the Ford tables ard the judge. Coun-
sci for Mr.. Ford then complained that
in addressing the court "The Tribune"
attorneys were inaudible to the oppos-
ing side. There were several sharp
exchanges, which the judge ended by
saying there would be a conference on
the subject later.
Move to Change Plea
Counsel for the Solomon News Com
pany, of Detroit. which for technical
reasons was made co-defendant with
"The Tribune" gave notice of motion
to change their plea from ignorance
that the papers they circulated con-
tanned the alleged libel, to one of JUS
tihcation, which is the plea made by
"The Tribune" Hearing on the mo-
tion went over till morning, and
y
box Two were excused forthwith,
one because of fainting spells and the
other because he could not be spared
from his farm.
Each Of the seven men quizzed be-
fore adjournment grinned when asked
if he was an anarchist.
The editorial on which the suit is
based was published by "The Tribune"
on June %, 1916. 1t follows:
Inquiry at the Henry Ford Offices
in Detroit discloses the fact that en-
ployes of Ford who are members of or
recruits in the National Guard will lose
their places. No provision will be
made for any one dependent on them.
Their wages will stop, their families
may get along in any fashion possible.
they come back safely and apply for
their jobs again they will be on the
same footing as any other applicants.
This is the rule for Ford employees
everywhere.
Information was refused as to the
number of American soldiers unfor-
tunate enough to have Henry Ford as
an employer at this time, but at the
Detroit recruiting offices it was said
that about seventy-five men will pay
this price for their services to their
country.
Ford Called "Anarchist"
Mr.. Ford thus proves that he does
not believe in service to the nation in
the fashion a soldier must serve it,
II his factory were on the southern
and not the northern border we pre-
sumo he would feel the same way We
90 not know precisely what he would do
II Villa band decided that the Ford
strong boxes were worth opening and
that 1t would be pleasant TO see the
FORD factories burn. 1t is evident that
1t is possible for a millionaire Just
south of the Canadian border to be in
different to what happens just north
Of the Mexican border
IF Ford allows this rule Of his
shops to stand he will reveal himself
not as merely an ignorant idealist, but
as an anarchistic enemy of the nation
which protects him in his wealth.
A man SO ignorant as Henry Ford
may not understand the Fundamentals
OF the government under which he
iives. That government is permitted
70 take Henry Ford himself and com
mand his services as a soldier if nee
essary. 1t can tax his money for war
purposes, and will. 1t can compel him
70 devote himself TO national pur-
poses. The reason it did not take the
person OF Henry Ford years ago and
put II In uniform is, first, that it has
rot had the common sense to make itx
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