Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-08
w. L. Frierson, Chosen to Act
for Government, Quickly
Starts Inquiry.
SENATORS WILL POINT
[ TO "MAN RESPONSIBLE"
Third Investigation May Be Made
{ at Request of Maj. Gen. Squier,
! Chief Signal Officer.

I Plans were under way today for two
and possibly three separate investiga-
tions of aircraft production.
J The Department of Justice inquiry Or
Aered by President Wilson was begun
hnder the direction of Assistant Attor-
hey General William L. Frierson, who
Eas appointed for the task yesterday
Sitter Attorney General Gregory had con-
ferred with the President. Mr.. Frierson,
Sxho will be assisted by other lawyers of
ehe department and special agents of the
bureau of investigation, will have to aid
thim the report of the Presidents special
committee headed by H. Snowden Mar
bhalA
First Steps by Mr.. Frierson.
I One of the first steps of Mr.. Frierson
Twill be to examine the report submitted
TO the President by Gutzon Borglum,
fhe sculptor, and call upon Mr.. Borglum
FOR evidence to support his charges of
graft and pro-German intrigue.
Coincident with the conference which
resulted in the appointment of Mr..
Erierson, Senator Chamberlain of
oregon, chairman of the Senate mill
skary committee, announced that the
s committee proposed to reopen its air
plane inquiry and put it's finger on the
man responsible for deficiencies in the
aviation program. Chairman Chamber
lain's announcement came after a con-
ference with members of the committee.
who indicated that subcommittee. to
meet in executive session. will be ap-
pointed to begin work within week.
President Wilson still had before
him the request of Mai. Gen. Squier.
chief signal officer and former director
of Army aviation. for an investigation
by military court. Although there
is feeling at the War Department that
the charges, rejecting as they do upon
the honesty and loyalty of many of
fcers. demand an investigation by the
military. some believe that the Presi-
dent will decide that the Department
OF Justice inquiry is sufficient.
Decide Against Investigation.
The House military committee vir-
tually disposed of brief aircraft in
quiry yesterday when it heard Secre-
tary Baker and his chief aids for avia-
tion. Members decided that the situ-
alton did not call for an investigation.
Mr.. Frierson has been assistant at
torney general since last September.
when he succeeded +. Marvin Under
wood of Atlanta. who resigned to be-
come general counsel for the Seaboard
Air Line. Previously Mr.. Frierson had
practiced law for twenty-five years in
Chattanooga and was mayor of that
city for two years. He served on the
Tennessee supreme court for a short
time about year ago. In the Depart
ment of Justice he has had charge of
miscellaneous classes of cases, includ-
ing matters relating to the Interstate
Commerce Commission and railroad op-
GRAFTON, pure food and meat inspection
and interstate liquor shipment cases.
Ask New Appropriation.
While the Senate was discussing the
aircraft situation yesterday. Secretary
Raker and other War Department of
hciais were urging before the House
military committee a new billion-d dollar
eIrcraft appropriation.
Secretary Baker declared facts and
figures regarding aircraft plans should
not bc made public. He said the COM
nIittee was entitled to the details. but
he was opposed to presenting them pub
1Iciy. Despite suggestions by several
members of the committee he said moth
ing should be given out by the commit
tee. He declared criticism Of the liz
craft plans were inspired by pro-Ger-
man Influences and that details OF Inc
governments plans should be kept
secret Oh the ground of military neces-
kity.
Plans for the Senate military commit
tees further investigation have not been
fully formulated and will he outlined
at AN early meeting. Members said it
was probable the inquiry would he be-
bind closed Goo.s, but with d public re-
port to be made later.
Secretary Baker read to the HOVE
committee a prepared statement OF the
liberty motor. He said it was COM
positc of ideas of engine builders Rep
resen,ativc Kahn of California asked
about an American automobile engi-
Geer named Vincent. said to have
brought ont of Germany just before
the war what was declared the latest
German engine. Secretary Baker said
that the liberty motor embodied the
best ideas of the German model, but
more particularly an American model
Not for Smaller Fighting Planes.
The committees examination brought
out the Information that the liberty
motor is not adapted for use in the
smaller fighting planes.
The purpose of the investigation by
the Department of Justice" said a
statement by Attorney General Gregory,
Will be to determine whether there
has been any dishonesty or malversa-
ton OF any kind. In case either Is de-
Seloped necessary steps to punish the
guilty will be taken"
THREE U. S. FLIERS KILLED.