Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-16
FORD KNEW TRUTH,
PLAINTIFF CHARGES
Committee for Sapiro Called
on Magnate and Publisher,
Counsel Declares.
INV tha Associated Press.


DETROIT. March 16.-Henry Ford
and F. d. Black, business manager of
Ford's publication, the Dearborn In
dependent, We're informed of the exact
activities and purposes of the Aaron
Sapiro cooperative marketing organi'
cations at the time they were printing
alleged libelous articles in regard to
them, Attorney William Henry Gal
lagher asserted in his opening state
ment in Federal Court today.
Sapiro, who is suing for 100000,
alleging defamation of character be-
cause of statements in the Independ-
ent, sent committee to explain the
matter to Ford. said Gallagher, but
he referred them to Mr.. Black. The
latter heard what they had to say. and
for some time the series of articles at.
tacking Sapiro and charging him with
exploiting the farmer were discon'
tinued. They were resumed after
while, however, no reason being given.
Opening of today's session of the
suit was delayed by conference of
Judge Fred NJ. Raymond. Senator
James A. Reed, counsel for Ford, and
Gallagher.
Possibilities of compromise as to
the appearance of Mr.. Ford on the
witness stand or settlement of the
after court was due to open the con.
ference still was in progress.
Crowd Annoys Judge.
Fear that the trial would be turned
into a circus" was expressed by Judge
Raymond, who ordered court attaches
to keep order among the visitors, the
large corps Of newspaper men and
swarms of messenger boys. The con-
fusion. said the Judge. was detracting
the attention of the jury and con-
fusing him.
A continual stream of copy boys
hurried to and from the small court
room yesterday, reporters slid in and
out to call their papers, and the re-
suit, said the judge, was that the press
instead of the trial held the center of
the stage.
Judge Raymond told the jurors the
delay in opening court was due to a
conference which he hoped would save
them, as well as the court, time In
the future. 1t was understood the
plaintiffs will shorten the procedure
as much as possible, in introduction of
evidence.
Attorney Gallagher, in resuming his
opening plea, said, as he had declared
yesterday, that to attack cooperative
AAAe~i hSIAi5 VII iIlc part VI OTu was
permissible. But he went further than
that, Gallagher said: He said Mr.. Sa-
piro was a member of a Jewish COM
bine conspiring to gain control of agri-
culture"
1T was not only a national con-
spiracy, Mr.. Ford charged" the attor-
ney said, but an international ring he
accused Sapiro of belonging to.
he claimed that Sapiro dominated
agriculture not only for selfish mo-
tives. but also that he was the tool of
the international conspiracy of Jews
Ford said that not only did Sapiro ex.
plot the farmers to the benefit of the
great international conspiracy of Jews,
but he aided in spreading communism
and bolSheVism over the United States.
They conspired, Ford alleged, to go
into the home, take the children there
and instill into them the spirit of red
Russia"
Question One of Libel.
Mr.. Gallagher said the question for
the jury to consider was: WAS there
libel against Mr.. Sapiro?"
Was Mr.. Sapiro injured when 1t
was said he was a member of an in
ternational conspiracy to spread Com.
munism, and exploit farmers?
IF 1t was true, then there was no
libel
Senator Reed objected here and
Continued on Page S, Column a.