New-York tribune., 1918-05-07
Glad 'Can7ouRage'
Has Ended, Borglesr,a
Writes to Wilson

WASHINGTON, May 6.-Upon learn
ing of the publication of letters and
messages addressed to him by Presi-
dent Wilson in connection with the
aircraft programme, Gurzon Borglum
tonight gave out the text of an open
letter to the President, in which he
expressed the hope that the "camou-
fage deliberately planned by group
of men intrusteG Win great arm Of
our military machine has come to an
end" but added that the chart of re-
construction Of the aviation organiza
ton filled him with definite alarm"
Mr.. Borglum's letter in full follows:
"My dear Mr.. Presidents:
ut is something more than a shock
that | noticed to-day the publicity
which l could hardly interpret in a
friendly manner. considering the order
of the statements given and the
meaning Of your empowering letter to
me. and | am taking, therefore, the
only course open to me, that Of ad
dressing to you reply, republishing
your empowering letter, together with
my first letter to you. accompanying
my first review of the aeronautic stu
alton.
"In this l refer to the difficulties
met with in carrying out your wishes
that I go to the bottom of this busi-
ness Beyond that | spared you the
record Of petty intrigue, espionage and
a general system of official bullying
that is carried on by, if not at the di-
rection Of, great departmental officials,
certainly with their knowledge and ap
proval.
Says Work Was Blocked
81 had not been in the office assigned
to me in the War Department forty
eight hours before | met with the in
trigue Of that department.. Requisi
tions that made for data brought un-
true or valueless reports, and Mr. Stan
ley King, whom you had named to be
my aid and whom the Assistant Secre-
tary of War had turned over to assist
me, began to Systematically block the
work | was undertaking, to the extent
even Of threatening witnesses who
came to my office, Room No. 225, War
Department. to give me information,
information 10 me at their peril.
"GeneraI SGuiers acted in like
manner, and every official that I ap-
preached and from whom | had the
right to receive aid and courtesy, had
apparently, under general instructions,
entered into common conspiracy to
deceive, to mislead snd to prevent me
learning the truth about the aeronau-
tic situation.
for this and although | fully realize the
sources of the periodical statements,
false in contents and in purpose,
emanating from the War Department
regarding aeronautics, would not look
with favor upon any inquiry that dealt
with the true situation, and so within
a week, on January =, l abandoned
the War Office and secured an office
without the building that my investga-
tlon might be less prejudiced and
might get more accurately and quickly
at the truth of the situation. Nor did
fail to inform Mr.. Baker of the SER
lous condition that prevailed and de-
manded correction, without avail. This
constituted my first grievous offence
mad demonstrated | at least would
not whitewash.
Declares Reports Were True
"The reports that were sent to YOU
were true, and if they erred at all
they were not strong enough in state
ment, which subsequent inquiry has
proved and placed amply before the
public.
My investigation was a preliminary
inquiry. 1t was so agreed between us,
and, further, should | deem it neces-
sary, to have two assistant experts they
would be appointed; and if there was
any difference of opinion between Mr..
Baker and myself you agreed that
should deal directly with you. These
experts never were appointed, YOUR
promise was not kept and my request,
frequently urged upon you, only
brought the. appointment of men with
out knowledge, without information and
wholly untitled to inquire into sub
Jecs that has failed largely because
1t was conducted without information
and knowledge-that IS, had there
been few informed men even remote
lly connected with that hupe appropria-
ton few planes would have reached
Europe.
II have pleaded for hvestigation con.
sistcntly and persistently, and | still
plead for investigation. / have asked