Evening star., 1927-03-31
Sources Close to BiIIionaire
Discredit Rumors of At
tempt on Life.
SECRECY SURROUNDS
INJURY OF MAGNATE
Private Agents Alone Probe Case.
Livelihood of Thousands
in Jeopardy.

DETROIT, March 31.--LyinG in his
own big hospital surrounded by all
the secrecy made possible by a fortune
accounted the worlds greatest, and
complete dominion over vast areas
and armies Of men. Henry Ford today
was reported recovering from injuries
received last Sunday night when the
coupe of his own manufacture. in
which he was riding alone. was forced
from the road by larger closed car.
The Ford organization discredited
reports that the 64.year-old automo-
bile manufacture was the victim of a
deliberate attempt to take his life.
In the first authoritative statement
from any Ford source, Harry Fl. Ben
nett, chief of the Ford investigators,
said today that he was satisfied no
attempt was made deliberately to
crowd Mr.. Ford off the road, and that
the accident was caused by a careless
speeder, either driving with an arm
around girl companion or a little
the worse from liquor.
Many Working on Case.
A source highly responsible and
close to Mr.. Ford said last night il
was believed a preconceived attempt
to assassinate had been responsible
for the injuries. while another close
source said that q great many men
were working along numerous ave.
nues of investigation and that it was
believed the large car responsible
was known.
IF at any time We had thought
some one was intentionally trying to
injure Mr.. Ford we would have
asked the aid of the Detroit police i'm.
mediately," said Bennett.
Federal Judge Fred M. RAYMOND,
presiding In Aaron Sapiro's 81 900, 900
libel suit against the injured manu-
facturer and his weekly, the Dearborn
Independent. today denied printed re-
ports that an officer from his court
had joined the other agencies said to
be investigating.
While the news of the accident was
suppressed from the public. Judge
Raymond was informed of II af the
opening of court Monday morning.
When leak" developed YESTERDAY
In the great shroud of secrecy drawn
about the accident and 1t was revealed
publicly, Sapiro caught his breath
quickly and exclaimed:
"Oh, regret that
Makes No. Statement.
He had nothing. more to say today
and no statement was Forthcoming
from his counsel, William Henry
Gallagher.
The trial proceeded as il nothing
had happened except for Judge Ray
mond's remarks from the bench. Mr..
Ford has not attended court during
the nearly three weeks of the trial and
there remain several weeks more of
testomofiy which can be adduced with
out his presence.
Should Sapiro's side be completed.
with the exception of interrogation of
Mr.. Ford, Gallagher said he intend
ed to ask that the defense proceed
with its case, the prosecution break
ing in for Mr.. Ford's testimony when
he is able to appear.
Will Not Take Deposition.
Gallagher denied emphatically that
Mr.. Ford's testimony would be taken
by deposition or that the trial would
be concluded without his appearance
on the witness stand.
That time. at the earliest, is two
weeks off, according to bulletin
from the hospital. The injured manu-
facturer must remain there in COM
plete rest for fortnight. asserted DR..
r. d. Mcclure, chief surgeon of the
Henry Ford Hospital.
Neither the Federal Department of
Justice nor the Detroit police was
working upon the case, and the close
secrecy which shrouds every move
ment of Mr.. Ford or his plans had
been clamped even tighter after the
leak" which yesterday permitted
the fact of the attempted assassina-
ton to become known after IL had
been a closely guarded secret since
Sunday night at $3.50 o'clock.
No Arrests Made.
No arrest has been made and none
is in sight, according to Thomas e.
Wilcox, head Of the Detroit Office of
the Federal Department of Justice. He
denied morning newspaper stories that
his men had made numerous arrests
and that the prisoners were held un-
der secret charges.
There has been no violation of
Federal law" he said.
From the Ford organization there
emanated only such information as
was wished published. and that con-
sisted virtually entirely of brief hos
pital bulletins.
MIR. Ford spent a good night, is
now resting comfortably and no new
complications have arisen," read the
last bulletin issued by DR.. r. d. Nc
Clure, chief surgeon of the Henry
Ford Hospital.
Improvement Is Remarkable.
The bulletin indicated that for a
man of 64 years possessed of rathe!
frail, though wiry physique, Mr.. Ford
had improved remarkably.
In the first statement made public
his injuries were described as includ
ing hemorrhageS of the bladder and
lungs, although slight, and concus-
sion, which even yesterday had clear.
ed up.
There were, however, painful con
tusions of the chest and back muscles,
and the back was wrenched. reported
DIR. Mcclure. which led him to AK
Mr.. Ford's range Of expansion by
splinting.
The first report referred to minor
operation" but DIR. McClure's bulletin
stated the operation" consisted of
the splinting.
The Henry Ford Hospital was close
" guarded today and none except
selected visitors. including
Mrs. Ford and their son Edsel and
Mrs. Edsel Ford, were admitted.
Dearborn, where the accident oc-
CURED, is a suburb about nine miles
from the Detroit City Hall The jur-
sdiction of the Detroit police does not
extend to it.
The Dearborn police department.
(Continued on Page 9. CoIun,X IL