Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1919-08-01
NO SWIVEL CHAIR
FOR FORD'S SON
STAYED At HOME DURING WAR
TO HELP ~ PLANT-RgFUsEp
TO TAKE UNIFORM.
WAS RESPONSIBLE
Declares he Told Edsel That War
Work In Factory Needed Him
Would Not Accept safety
First Commission.

Mt Clemens, Mlch.-Benry FOni.
turing the last hour OF his seven days
on the witness stand, took occasion
TO claim full responsibility for his son,
Edsel Ford's, claim for exemption from
the selectiVe draft "He wanted TO
enlist" said Mr.. Ford. but | told him
that he could do more good where he
was. He was offered several commits
sions which would have permitted him
TO wear a. uniform and stay right In
the factory. but he wouldn't accept
them"
Having made their decision, IL whs
shown, both Mr.. Ford and his son re-
fused 10 ~camon1age II behind n
swivel chair commission carrying
boots and spurs.
This subject, the introduction OF
which has been awaited ever since
the trial opened, did not develop along
the limos which had been generally ex-
oected. Mr.. Ford's inclination TO
boulder full responsibility, his state
,ent that his son was absolutely
essential to the war work being done
In The factory and his revelation Of
the fact that Edsel Ford turned down
eevaFaI offers OF n commission. dis
armed criticism. The charges, spread
during a political campaign, and re-
Gently repeated on the floor of tho
United States senate. 10 the eject
that the young president OF the Ford
Motor company had shirked his duty
were so fully refuted that Tribune
counsel did not pursue the point
II was the FIRST time that a full ex-
PLANTATION OF the facts In connection
with Edsel Ford's wal work has been
made public and Il was easily tha
feature OF the eleventh week OF tho
trial.
Henry Ford spent seven days on the
witness stand and Of this time he gave
less than two hours TO his own law
yera. As long as counsel FOR The
Tribune was hammerlns him Mr.. Ford
eat quietly In the witness chair an
swering the constant are Of questions
with great patience. But the instant
bis w lawyers took him In hand his
attitude changed. lie became self.
conscious and dimdent He would not
accept the efforts OF his counsel TO
provide him with an opportunity 10
reveal the full extent OF his patriotic
work during the war, his humanltarf.
an Views, or bis advanced Ideas OF
the relations which should exist be-
tween capital and labor.
ut 10 all In the records" said Mr.
Ford. ut have told II all here n
He avoided. with care. anything that
verged OF boasting. lie would no:
even describe the extent OF the war
work which his factories did and when
record breaking performances IN tho
production OF munitions was mention.
cd he declared. I'VE did all we could,
let II 20 at that | want 10 forket
all about H. ] feel Just as he soldiers
feel ! don't want 10 talk about my
war work"
The Witness did, however, after be.
lng pressed, explain that his son had
bought out the minority stockholders
OF the Ford Motor company because
these interests had insisted on Mr..
Ford squeezing the last dollar out OF
the public, the government, the work
trs and the product He wanted 10
cut loose from his associates, he said.
90 that he could carry out his ideas
Of the distribution OF profits 10 en-
ployees through Increased wages and
to The public through lower prices.
II was either buy or sell and Mr.. Ford
had considered selling and organizing
= new company. His son, however.
took up the task OF buying out The
minority Stockholders and succeeded.
despite the general belief In the imam
eiai world that this stock could not be
purchased.
One Of the most interesting develop
ments Of Mr.. Ford's testimony came
cut when II vas testified that the only
legislation he has ever sought was
that for the protection Of birds. Other
men Of millions. II was shown. kee,
lobbyists In the national and state
capitol 10 urge and work for spacinl
privileges. but the one favor that M.
Fold has ever asked from the Law
makers had nothing TO do with hts
own interests. II was q curious BIZ
Of testimony and left a desp lmprea.
sion on the audience In tha cnn,,