AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1927, Page 3

AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

(Australian & N.Z. Cablo Assoeiatio:

SAPIRO-FORI> CASE. NEW YORK, March 17. Ford’s counsel, Senator Reed, made sensational charges against Sapiro ill liis opening statement l'or the defence. Heed began with a reference to the racial question, lie said—“ This is not a case of the Hebrew race against Henry Ford. Sapiro has no light to collect damages for the Hebrew race and put the money in his own pocket. This is the same kind of case a* it would be if Sapiro belonged to some other race than Jewish.” Reed then declared the statements printed regarding Sapiro were essentially true. Ho picture plaintiff as a man who had dreams of wealth and power which extended not only to the control of all farming and industry in America but the wheat of the entire world. Reed alleged that Southern tobacco growers had been exploited for millions of dollars. They paid two million dollars more than they were worth for warehouses their associations bought, while their tobacco was sold •at thiry .per cent lower than growers outside tho Associations obtained. He declared Sapiro chose the Association managers who made vast profits, buying and selling through firms wherein the managers themselves were partners. Reed alleged that farmers wore bound by contracts penalising them, if they rebelled, saddling them with heavy' court costs, making business for Sagiro’s law firm, and requiring the farmers to pay high interest on money tho association borrowed with the farmers own security.