The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-05-17
WILSON EXPECTS
HUGHES TO HANDLE
AIRCRAFT PROBE
Flatly Objects to Plan OF
Senators for Separate
Inquiry.
FIGHT is EXPECTED
Martin of Virginia Urges
Extreme Caution in
Acting on Radi-
cal Proposal.
FIGHT is EXPECTED

Washington, May is--Tf President
Wilson has his way. investigation into
the aircraft situation will be handled
exclusively by Charles f. Hughes.
whom he has appointed to conduct
the department OF justice probe. He
prefers this method to any inVestiga-
ton by a congressional committee.
The Chamberlain resolution. cloth
ing the senate military affairs com
mittee with authority to investigaN
has brought the administration face
to face with one OF the sharpest fights
in congress since the war began.
President Wilson today issued orders
that the resolution must be killed,
Heretofore his objection has been
merely to the form of the resolution
which would have permitted an in
quiry into the whole conduct of the
war But his inal word to his ad
visers in the senate. delivered this
morning to Senator Thompson, is that
the investigation by the committee is
not wanted at all. Entire reliance Is
placed in former Justice Hughes to
carry on such an investigation as may
be necessary to bring out all the facts.
When Senator Thompson left the
White House TO carry the dictum of
the president to the senate, he said;
1t means a fight
Action Possibly Next Week
Both sides Immediately began to lay
their plans for the battle. which will
come on the question of whether the
Chamberlain resolution, as modified
by the majority of the committee on
audit and control, of which Thompson
IS chairman, shall he passed. Final
action on the resolution may not come
before next week.
Senator Chamberlain expressed the
opinion that the resolution would be
passed by a slim majority. He de-
clared he had done nothing to poll
the senate or to enlist the votes in
support of the measure.
Administration senators sought to
obtain votes against the resolution
upon the principle laid down by the
president in his letter to Senator Mar
tin. that the senate's action on the
resolution would be either vote of
confidence or A reflection upon his
administration They declined to
make any prediction as TO the out
come.
kilograms were being sent tonight
10 number OF Democratic senators
who are out OF the city. urging them
10 be in attendance when the resolu-
tion is brought up, If all OF these
whose votes are needed 10 defeat the
resolution are not here by Saturday.
filihuster Will be resorted to in order
TO delay action,
VIII BE Minority Report.
The report of the majority of the
committee on audit and control was
presented in the senate by Senator Nc
kellar. of Tennessee. The others
signing II were Senators Smoot and
France, both Republicans. After the
report had been received, Senator
Cham berlain inquired of Senator
Thompson whether there would be a
report from the minority. composed of
Thompson and Jones of New Mexico
Thompson replied that he and Jones
were preparing a report which would
ne submitted to the senate tomorrow
Supporters of the resolution saw IN
this an attempt on the part OF Thomp-
son to post pone action on the meas
ure by putting off the fling of the re-
port. They questioned him sharply
about II and wanted to know why the
minority report could not be filed to-
day. Thompson said It would not be
ready until very late. The report was
finished and sent TO the printer to-
night.
Senator Martin Advises Caution.
This colloouy led Senator Martin.
the majority leader. 10 exclsim:
Il do not think confiagration IN
going 10 take place unless we 20
at q double quick step TO take up this
resolution. | want TO see both the
reports and | want ample time for 1t
Indeed. I had hoped that the steps
AIKEN ny the president in appointing
one Of the best lawyers of the depart
ment of Justice. and associating him
with Justice Hughes would satisfy
every senator that the government
proposes to make n thorough invcsti-
cation of this matter"
Senator Mcclellan said he couldn't
see why there should be any objec-
ton to the resolution as amended by
the commoittee. He said he thought
every objection made against the or
iginal form of the resolution had been
eliminated.
Thompson and Jones, who will file the
affairs committee has all the power
II now needs under the resolution
passed by the senate at the beginning
of the session OF congress The two
senators, who will represent the presi-
dent views and wishes in the matter,
Will contend that with the appoint
ment of Justice Hughes TO assist the
department of Justice, an inyestiga-
ton by the senate committee would
interfere with that department.
Objection to Unnecessary Cost.
II is understood that the minority
report also will state objections to the
granting of authority to hire investi-
gators, to spend money for travelling
expenses and to draw upon the con-
tingent, fund of the senate for these
purposes.
Gutxon Borgiums reply to the
charges made against him by the mill
itary intelligence bureau was given
In confidence to Senator Chamberlain
by Senator Brandegee this afternoon.
Addressing the senate. Brandgee said
CONTINUED on Second PaEe.)