Judge Bars Letter Showing Ford Was Informed by Farmers of Untrue Statements in “dearborn Independent

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

Proof of the plaintiff’s contention in the $1,000,000 libel suit of Aaron Sapiro against Henry Ford that the latter was informed of the untruth of the charges made by him through the “Dearborn Independent” was offered by Gallagher, Sapiro’s counsel, during the court proceedings today. The evidence, a letter from A. C. Cherry of Yakima, Wash., of the Northwest Hay Association, to Henry Ford and W. J. Cameron, editor of the “Dearborn Independent,” pointing out erroneous statements in the anti-Jewish articles of Ford’s organ, was haired by Judge Raymond. It was read, however, after the jury was excused and left the courtroom. The reason given by the Judge in his ruling was that if that type of correspondence were admitted the trial would become too complicated for comprehension of the jury.

Sapiro got into action for the first time today as counsel for himself when he relieved Gallagher in reading excerpts from articles of the “Independent” alleged to libel the plaintiff. Cameron, editor of the “Independent” was not questioned by Sapiro but remained on the witness stand throughout the reading. A request by Gallagher that he be permitted to withdraw Cameron and put on other witnesses to prove the falsity of the articles, holding Cameron in the background, was denied by Judge Raymond who said he believed this would complicate matters.

After an hour and a half the jury was brought back and Gallagher began anew the questioning of Cameron, with the defense entering objections to every interrogation and arguments following before the court ruled.

The letter from Cherry, dated Aug. 26, 1924, and addressed to Cameron, which Gallagher read in the absence of the jury, said:

“In the issue of Aug. 23, under the head ‘Sapiro Rust in the Northwest Hay Crop,’ there appears a very vitriolic and false attack on the Northwest Hay Association which is erroneously referred to as the “Northwest Hay Growers Association.’

“In the first place I would like to make it clear that neither Sapiro nor any of his associates has any direct or indirect connection with the Northwest Hay Association.”

“Pointing out the errors in the articles of Morgan (A. H. Dunn) Mr. Cherry added:

“I am handing a copy of this letter to Mr. Henry Ford, as I am sure he would not indorse these statements any more than yourself. I do not know whether it will ever reach him, but I am sending you these communications because I do believe that you are both honest, and that there is honesty in your organization. If there is, the association will receive fair and truthful treatment; if not–well, I can’t conceive that you would be anything but fair.”

In his letter addressed to Mr. Ford, Cherry wrote in part:

“In the ‘Dearborn Independent’ of August 23 there appears an article severely criticizing the Northwest Hay Association, which contains numerous false and untrue statements–statements known to be false by practically every person in the community.

“If you will check up on these statements you will find that the ‘Independent’ has done the association a very grave and uncalled for injury.

“The association has no Jewish connections whatever. It does seem very unfair to me that this association of farmers should be subjected to such false and unwarranted attacks.”