Evening star., 1918-04-29
BORGLUM'S REPORT
AR0USES SENATORS
ScuIptor's Findings in Aircraft
Delay Investigation "Pock-
eted," Says Brandegee.
PHELAM DIGS PRESIDENT

Severe criticism of delays in the air
craft program were made in the Sen
ate today in connection with discussion
of the aircraft report made to President
Wilson by Gutzon Borglum, the sculp-
tor. Senator Brandegee, who brought
up the subject, referred to newspaper
publication of what purported to be the
sculptor's report and suggested that
President Wilson had "pocketed" 1t. The
whole subject, he said. should be in
vestigated by the Senate military COM
mittee.
Borglum's report, as outlined In the
newspaper publication, was critical of
Maj. Gen. Squier. chief Of the Signal
Corps and of others.
Senator's Hitchcock Of Nebraska and
Thomas of Colorado, democratic men,
bers of the military committee, said
the entire situation had been gone
over with Mr.. Borglum. and that the
sculptor had little new unpublished
informa ton. The committee. Senator
Thomas said. had declined to call Mr..
BorgIum before it because he was mot
entirely a disinterested Witness be-
ing reported to have connections with
an aeronautical association which was
a potential aircraft manufacturer.
Says Army Men Obstructed.
senator BranQegee SalQ tndC MT.
Borglum, although given a letter by
President Wilson authorizing him to
secure aviation information from the
War Department, had been very much
obstructed" by Army officials; Referring
President Wilson, the Connecticut SEN
ator said:
"If 1t Is anything like what Is de-
scribed in these blistering words. 1t is
time the legislative department of the
government should take some action"
Stating that it appeared the "pri-
vate" report of Mr.. Borglum to the
President apparently had been pocket
ed" Senator Brandegee said it should
not be "squelched and camouhaged and
kept in the dark
Senator Phelan Of California, democrat,
asked If Mr.. Borglum had any peculiar
qualifications to Judge aircraft.
"Dig" at the President.
torted. "rhe President selected him
and therefore I think he didn't have
any such qualifications"
Senator McCumber Of North Dakota.
republican, cited the $640.000,o00 ap-
preparation for aircraft all had been
spent and $400, 100000 more requested,
and said the people demanded to know
"just what we have got"
II should say we've got it in the
neck" Senator Brandegee replied.
Senator Thomas stated that neither
Mr.. Borglum nor his story" are new to
the military committee, practically all
members having conferred with the
sculptor.
Not Entirely Disinterested Witness.
He was not called because from the
best information he was not entirely a
disinterested Witness" said Mr.. Thomas
HE is said to be a representative in
some degree of one Of the numerous
aeronautical associations, which is a
potential manufacturer"
That Mr.. Borglum has not valuable"
Information that has not been made
public was stated by Senator Hitch
cock. Mr. Borglum. the Nebraskan
member said, was given his letter by
President Wilson last January, but had
gathered "a mass Of information not
very reliable" Mr.. Borglum, he said,
had failed to give the committee names
of witnesses he proposed to be called
before the committee.
Senator Hitchcock added that the
military committee had made recon-
mendations for Capitalization of avia-
tion authority which the President had
head of the aircraft production board
and in other respects.
Senator McCumber again interrupted
to say the public is asking whether
aviation appropriations have been
"burned up or IL profiteers have picked
Senator Hitchcock replied that the COM
mittee had disclosed the failure" of
past efforts, but that much money had
been spent on manufacturing plants
materials and plans now being COM
pleted.