The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-16
FORD ADMITS he /
Was A PARTY TO
MURDER IN WAR
Tribune Counsel Tries To Es-
tablish Plaintiffs Ignorance.
Manufacturer IrritabIy Admits
He's "an Ignorant Idealist."
LATER REVERSES STATEMENT
Was One of Alleged LibelOus
Charges in Editorial.
Describes Benedict Arnold as
''Writer" in Questioning.


Mount Clemens. Mich, July I'm
moment of petulance while on the
witpess stand today. Henry Ford.
plaintiff in S1.oO0,00O libel suit
against the Chicago Daily Tribune. ad-
mitted he was ''an ignorant idealist"
Subsequently he reversed his stata-
ment This was one of the alleged
libelous charges made against him in
the Tribune editorial
Attorney Elliott G. Stevenson. for
| the Tribune. had been asking Ques-
tions to establish, il possible. that Mr..
Ford as matter of fact was ignorant.
The witness said that he made the ad-
mission merely to stop the examina-
tion. Later when formally asked to
| admit that he was an Ignorant ideal
\ ist," he declined to do So
| Regarding his charge that profess
s!onal soldiers were murderers. Mr..
Ford, admitted he was one of the
helpers" to the murder
Described Arnold ns Writer.
In the course of the examination,
Mr.. Ford defined a traitor as "one
who works against the government
an idealist one who helps others 10
make a profit and, evidently with
Arnold Bennett vaguely in mind, de-
scribed Benedict Arnold as "a writer.'
why, Mr.. Ford" said Mr.. Steven
son in surprise, following Mr.. Ford's
admission that he was an Ignorant
idealist." ''if you admit that / shall
not have to ask. you, any more ques-
tons along that line"
I'm admit it. If it will close this
talk. 1t is for the jury TO decide. any
way"
but If you admit it. there will be
nothing for the jury to decide. The
admission settles it"
PREDATORY to this outburst by the
witness who was plainly nettled by
i the examination, Mr.. Stevenson ex-
planned to the court:
Lawyers Tried to Stop Him.
Your honor, the alleged libelous
editorial in the Tribune referred TO
Mr.. Ford as an ignorant ideai!st.'
These questions are TO show he is in
fact ignorant and, II he Is an idealist
and does not know the meaning of
] an ignorant idealist.' II was at this
fpoint that the manufacturer burst out
with his angry admission. which de-
spite efforts of his lawyer. he re-
4 peated.
The things that Mr.. Ford thought
and that his peace secretary. Theodore
| Delavigne, wrote for him were again
the topic OF examination when the
witness resumed the stand.
Mr.. Stevenson quoted the phrase
ID, SsilIlo OlQ SCdTeCIOWldlk, ana HSKCU
| whom was meant. Mr.. Ford replied
that the "scarecrows" were the pro-
fessional agitators for preparedness.
Your position was that they were
advocationg preparedness in order to
profit by munitions?"
"Over-preparedness yes"
Ford Denies He Was Murderer"
II think you defined that yesterday
as anything in addition to what we
had i'll 1915 or 1915" reminded the
lawyer. He then referred to the use
of the word murderer" as applied by
Mr.. Ford TO professional soldiers and
those who make money out of war.
We'll, you were a murderer in
1914" suggested Mr.. Stevenson.
"Oh, no." replied the witness quick
". That was during the war
In the course of one Of the Della
takes full responsibility, the term
'bally-ho" was used. Mr.. Ford. being
questioned. hazarded the guess that
it means ''blackguard." Mr.. Stevenson
elucidated:
1T means a sheuter advertising =
show or exhibition" said he
What do you understand by tbs
word treason" asked Mr.. Stevenson.
Anything against the government"
said Mr.. Ford.
Mr.. Stevenson precipitated a torrent
of objections when he asked the witt
. ness the meaning of the word
traitor"
Il And Ford Didn't Know.
J, The Tribune lawyer asked the wit
p; ness a number Of questions as TO what
+, he knew of the size, equipment and
stributfon of the American army m
1915 and 1916, the witness having said
: yesterday that he considered the force
: at that time adequate for defense.
do you know how many troops
r were in the Philippines?"
1
I'm Alaska 90
e TN Porto Rico?"
!, by the way. what are the relations
e between ;he United States and Porto
: Ricoe"
o Judge Tucker suggested that this
: line had been followed far enough.
. But this man sets himself up az
: an educator and wanted to go 10 the
O United States senate" answered Mr.
s Stevenson.
n Mr.. Ford interrupted to say:
n II can get a man in five minutes
to tell me those things"
p A speech by President Wilson az
: Kansas City in 1916, urging prepared-
II ness was read to the jury and the wit.
exhibited nervousness during the read
ing.
You characterized everybody who
20 advocated prepa aredness as doing II fol
N the purpose of making money out Of
r it ?" asked Mr.. Stevenson.
}, Il advocated preparedness after we
N got into the war
II was speaking about 1915 oi
1915" explained the lawyer and Ar