New-York tribune., 1918-05-07

vice and the appointment of John D.
Ryan as director general
Apparently, the sculator resented not
being allowed to cary out the inquiry
himself. In response to complaint
that he had not been supplied with
suitable expert assistance. the Presi-
dent, on April Is, informed him that he
feared he had been under serious
misapprehension as to his status.
The President wrote:
"My Dear Mr.. Borglum: I am afraid
that for some time you have been
under a serious misapprehension. You
call my attention to the fact that you
were not supplied with suitable expert
assistance in the investigation which
you Of your own volition undertook of
the aircraft production.
"You will remember that at the be-
ginning you wrote to me saying that
you feared and believed that there were
very serious errors not only but seri-
Gus bad practices in the aircraft pro-
duction, and after consulting with the
Secretary OF War ] wrote you that if
that was your impression you were, Of
course, at liberty TO examine any evil
dence that was in our possession.
Is Not Official Investigator
81 never at any time constituted YOU
an official investigator. merely gave
the right to look into the matter of
YOUR own motion, and ] am sure that
the letters which the Secretary of War
mr. tod \ l.,
the same purpose and idea.
I'VE have wished at every point to
assist you and to make possible for you
what you wish to do, but we have at no
tune regarded you as the official repre-
making the inves tigation. If had so
egarded you I would, Of course. have
supplied you with such assistance as
you feel you have lacked.
You will understand, of course, that
| write this in the most cordial way
and only because it is evident from
your last letter that you have been
laboring under misapprehension.
II hope that you will be willing and
that you feel that it is your duty to
put at the disposal of those whom
have constituted official investigators
all the evidence that may be in your
possession. Cordially and sincerely
yours, "WOODROW WILSON,"
Borglum Gives List of Witnesses
Mr. Borglum had a conference to,
day with members Of the Senate Mill
tary Committee, and gave them a list
OF witnesses he desires summoned if
the. committee reopens its investiga-
tion as result of his disclosures. He
reiterated his assertions that criminal
liability could be established
A.
are never has been revealed publicly
though they have been broadly hinted
at the Senate debate and freely dis
cussed in the cloakrooms. Whether the
Senate committee will consider them
has not been determined but ma
Jority opposes action and Acting Chair
man hitchcock has stated that an in
curry involving possible criminal pro
ceedings should be conducted by the
Department of Justice. A meeting will
be held in few days to settle the
question.
General Squier's request for mill
tary inquiry to clear up the matter SC
far as he and his subordinatos are
concerned is before Secretary Baker
and there has been no intimation OF
what action the Secretary will take
Mr.. Baker is making a personal study
of the situation. Besides such state,
ments as Mr.. Borglam has made, he
has before him voluminous cable cor.
respondence with European officials as
well as American officers on the Other
side, dealing with aircraft types and
changes, the proceedings of the Air
craft Board, as shown by its records
and all other data throwing light on
any phase Of the matter
He said to-day that he had not con-
cluded his study or arrived at any de-
termination as to whether there was
ground shown for prosecution of an
official.
The only element of the situation
not as yet in Mr.. Bakers hands, so far
as known, is the final report Of the
Marshall committee. which will be sub
mitted to the President when com
pieted.
# military court is convened. it
Will have authority to subpoena wit
nesses and also to require the produc
ton OF books or other papers. Army
officers prefer to have such court in
stead Of Congressional committee
conduct the inquiry. These involved.
It is said, propose to be ably repre-
sented by counsel and to seek not only
to disclose the facts IN, connection ,v;+ /