The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-08-01
NO SWIVEL CHAIR
FOR FORD'S SON
STAYED AT HOME DURING WAR
TO HELP IN PlANT-REFUSED
TO TAKE UNIFORM.
FATHER WAS RESPONSIBLE
Declares He Told Edsei That War
Work In Factory Needed Him
Would Not Accept Safety
First Commssio

Mt Clemens, Mioh.-Henry Ford,
during the last hour of his seven days
on the witness stand, took occasion
to claim full responsibility for his son,
Edsel Fords, 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, 1t was
shown, both Mr.. Ford and his son re-
fused to camoufiage it behind
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
pected. Mr.. Ford's inclination to
shoulder full responsibility, his state
msnt 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
several offers of a commission, dis,
armed criticism. The charges, spread
during q political campaigns and re-
Gently repeated on the floor of the
United States senate, to the effect
that the young president of the Ford
Motor company had shirked his duty
we're SO fully refuted that Tribune
counsel did not pursue the point.
It was the first time that full ex-
PLANTATION Of the facts In connection
with Edsel Ford's war work has been
feature Of the eleventh week OF the
trial.
Henry Ford spent seven days on the
witness stand and Of this time he gave
less than two hours to his own law
yers. As long as counsel for The
Tribune was hammering him Mr.. Ford
sat quietly in the witness chair an
swertng the constant fire of questions
with great patience. But the instant
bis own lawyers took him in hand his
attitude changed. He became self
conscious and difident. He would not
accept the efforts OF his counsel to
provide him with an opportunity to
reveal the full extent of his patriotic
work during the war, his humanitari-
an views, or his advanced ideas of
the relations which should exist be.
tween capital and labor.
TT Is all in the records" said Mr.
Ford. at have told 1t all here once
He avoided, with care, anything that
verged on Boosting. He would not
even describe the extent Of the war
work which his factories did and when
record breaking performances in tho
production Of munitions was mention.
ed he declared, I'VE did all we could,
let 1t go at that. want to forget
all about 1t, feel Just as the soldiers
feel. don't want to talk about MY
war work"
The witness did, however, after be.
Ing 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
ers and the product. He wanted to
cut loose from his associates, he said.
so that he could carry out his ideas
OF the distribution Of profits to EN-.
ployees through increased wages AMI
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 fnsn.
cial world that this stock could not bs
purchased.
One OF the most interesting devotion.
rnents Of Mr.. Ford's testimony came
cut when 1t was testified that the onlv
legislation he has ever sought waa
that for the protection Of birds. Other
men Of millions, It was shown, keep
lobbyists In the national and state
capitol to urge and work for special
privileges, but the one favor that M
Fold has ever asked from the law
makers had nothing to do with his
own interests. It was a curious bit
OF testimony and left deep impress
sioa on the audience In the court
ehambuI.
The slbject was a result of quea.
lions concerning Mr. Ford's list of
friends He named Thomas Edison
and John Burroughs, the naturalist as
Ats best friends outside of his i'm.
mediate associates
Litigation in which Mr. Ford has
been interested was another subject
OF interest. 1t was shown that when
the automobile business was in the
drst years Of its growth all manufac.
turers Of motor cars. were compelled