Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-05-23

Washington. May 22.-There will be no
controversy in the Senate over the mill
tary committees war inquiry plans to
which President Wilson objected, and the
department of justice investigation Of air
craft production directed by Charles f.
Hughes will proceed without having its
path crossed by Congress.
Developments came quickly to-day In a
situation which had threatened an open
fight on the floor Of the Senate and in
which administration leaders saw the pos
sibiity of two simultaneous inquiries into
all phases of the governments aviation
problem: First. compromise was reach
ed under which the resolution of Senator
Chamberlain authorizing Investigations Of
various branches of war activities. includ-
Ing aviation, was passed by the Senate
after being stripped of language which
the President had construed as virtually
constituting the military committee a
committee on the conduct of the war.
Soon afterward Senator Chamberlain re-
ceived a letter from Attorney General
Gregory enclosing one from Mr.. Hughes
in which the latter stated that the work
! he has undertaken at President Wilson s
request would be embarrassed by a
| parallel inquiry. Mr.. Hughes outlined his
idea of how the departments investiga-
ton should be carried on declaring that
it should go into the whole history OF
aircraft production since the war began
and that statement Of results should
be given to the public regardless of
| whether basis were found for either
criminal or civil proceedings in the
courts.
This letter for time seemed to threaten
| a new conflict. Members of the military
committee. however, quickly recognized
the force of Mr.. Hughes statement. and II
was tentatively agreed that the sub-com'
| mittee on aviation should conf1ne its
| activities to looking over the existing
situation and leave all that has gone be-
| fore to the department Of Justice. An
| other meeting will be held in a day or two
| to discuss the matter further.
| NOTE FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL.
The demand Of Mr.. Hughes for a free
hand was indorsed in a note Of trans
initial by Attorney-Geenral Gregory who
| 1t Is reported, had discussed the matter
with President Wilson.
| Attorney-Gen Gregory wrote:
"At an interview between you, Judge
Hughes and myself on last Saturday, vol
asked what would be the scope of oul
pending inquiry into the aircraft prop
lem, and also indicated that you woult
like to know what we thought might b
the effect upon our work of an investi
cation by committee of the Senate int
the aircraft program. Subsequently
suggested that Judge Hughes write M
letter embodying his ideas on the tw'
points involved. herewith inclose cop!
Of his letter. and will state that I agre
with the views therein expressed"
LETTER FROM JUDGE HUGHES.
Judge Hughes letter to Attorney
General Gregory follows:
"In accordance with request shal
attempt to summarize briefly some Of tn
points discussed in our conference to
day. particularly with respect to tn
, scope Of our inquiry.
1T Is evident. from the material yo
have already gathered and from the mat
, ters discussed with you and Mr.. Frier
son. that 1t would be necessary for u
!. carefully to examine all the activitie
relating to aircraft production.
I. ut is easy of course theoretically I
. distinguish between an inquiry within tn
province OF the department Of justice an
one which is aimed merely at allege
waste. or neglect or mismanagement c
inehciency. apart from any apparer
basis for civil suit to recover money
or a criminal prosecution.