The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-02-21
lin REED WILL
DEFEND FORD IN
S1,OOO,OOO SUIT
Case Filed by Aaron SapirO
Set for Trial on
March 7.
Times WASHINGTON Bureau.
IRDD Nom IotE rSt,t,

DETROIT, Feb. 21.-The richest
man in the world and a prospective
candidate for President will he lead
ing figures in a great libel trial,
scheduled to start here in Unhed
States District Court March Z.
The suit is that of Aaron Sapiro.
Chicago attorney and organizer Of
farmers cooperative associations,
against Henry Ford, for a million
dollars. Sapiro charges that certain
statements contained in an anti
Jewish campaign by Fords maya
zine, the Dearborn Independent,
damaged him that much.
The prospective candidate for
President is the white.haired, fiery
tongued Senator James A. Reed of
Missouri. who's presence as Ford's
chief counsel further promises
trial of full interest. Reeds retain
ing fee alone is said to be 100000
or more.
Other elements. such as Fords
fame, his vast wealth, the racial
and religious elements involved, and
the tie-up Of the case with the
great farmers cooperative plarkct.
ing movement. seem to insure that
the trial will rival in sensations any
in American history, even those in
which eX.President Roosevelt was
involved. The suit was filed April
30. 1925.
Noted AS Organizer
sapiro had won wide repute for his
plan Of organization of farmers co.
operatives. He began with the Cali.
fornia Fruit Growers Association m.
teen years ago. and organized scores
of others. including great marketing
pools for wheat, cotton, tobacco,
beans, potatoes and other staple
crops. His activities extended over
thirty.eight states.
He has also been counsel for the
American Federation OF Farm Blu.
reaus, and other farmers organiza.
lions.
The Independent charged that
Sapiro was in league with jewish
bankers who, it was claimed, were
seeking control Of the food markets
of the world. They were attempting
to get control Of the crops Sapiro had
organized, it was said.
Sapiro countered with his suit
against Ford and the Dearborn hide
pendent Publishing Company, charg-
ing that Ford's statements had in
! jured him as an attorney, both In
Canada and the United States. lie
said he knew Of no conspiracy and
/ had never organized a cooperative
unless called in. .r.a
His declaration covered ninety.two
pages and consisted OF twenty-one
counts. each quoting an article he
said had appeared in the indie
pendent.
Used Crew OF Lawyers
Ford sent emissaries to see Reed
in Kansas City fourteen months ago.
Reed later went to Detroit to sec
Ford, and was hired. He went TO
work at once. A large crew of law.
yers was organized under his direc-
ton, which began investigating Sa-
piro's connection with the coopera-
tives.
They went into every one of the
thirty.eight States into which Sa.
piro's organizing activities had penc-
trated and consulted managers, Off
GERS. members and anyone else who
had had official connection with the
organizations, securing dispositions
and records.
Nearly n carload Of these has come
to Detroit in preparation for tho
trial What kind Of n case Reed has
won't be known until 1t opens, OF
course, but he viii come to Detroit
as soon as Congress adiourns to take
| charge.
1t is expected here that the trial
will last six or eight weeks at least.