The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-03
MILLIONS LOST
ON AIRCRAFT?
Senator Charges Misused Funds
in Flying Program Run
Into Millions.
CRIMINAL INQUIRY IS URGED
Senator Hitchcock Asserts Board
Played "Giuantic Confidence Game
on Whole Country"in Regard
to Liberty Motor.

Washington, May 3.--Investigation
Of the army aviation situation with
a view to criminal prosecutions was
urged in the senate. Gross extrava-
gance and misuse of appropriations
for the aviation program were suggest
ed and, in spirited speeches, several
senators declared further investiga-
ton should be made as to any GRIM
inal or civil liability of those respon-
sible. In the course of the debate Sen
ator Knox of Pennsylvania said the
charges indicated misuse of public
funds to the extent of hundreds of
millions Of dollars.
Accuses Aircraft Board.
The aircraft board was charged by
Senator Hitchcock not only with mis-
leading the committee for weeks" but
with playing a gigantic confidence
game on the whole country" by giving
the impression that the Liberty motor
resulted from conference of engi-
neers In Washington hotel. AS a
matter Of fact, the Liberty motor, the
Nebraska senator declared, is the
Packard motor which has taken the
Packard company three years to de-
velop but now we are going to pay
that company between $50O,OOO and
$1.OOO,OOO for three years experimental
ton and that matter Is now being ad-
justed."
Senator Brandegee (Rep.) of Con-
necticut, who recently referred to sup
preston Of the aviation report made
to President Wilson by Gutzon Borg
lum, the sculptor, brought up the sub
ject and suggested that the senate
military committee should continue its
inquiry, with view to determining II
criminal prosecutions should be
brought. Senator King of Utah (Dem.)
also urged a criminal Investigation by
the committee.
Committee Ready to Act.
Senator Hitchcock Of Nebraska, act
ing chairman of the senate military
committee, said the committee was
ready to act If the senate should Or
der an inquiry, but contended that
any criminal inquiry.
Senator King said he considered 1t
the committees sacred duty" to make
further investigation and "fasten re-
spOnsibility for it's failure" Of aviation
production. He had heard 1t said, he
added, that somebody ought to be
shot" In connection with the delayed
production.
There may be ground for criminal
charges" Senator Hitchcock replied,
'*'but the president is the one who can
best act, through the department Of
Justice"
Senator Poindexter of Washington.
referring to the criminal law against
accessories to crimes and to state
ments regarding aircraft production
made by Secretary Baker. asked:
'Is not the secretary of war the
man himself that ought to be reached
by the committee If 1t is seeking to
hold some one responsible?"
Thinks Secretary Deceived.
II believe the secretary was as COM
Qletely deceived by officials in charge
as was the committee" Senator Hitch
cock replied. adding that the secretary
had reorganized the aviation person
mel and thus indicated his lack of con-
fidence In those displaced.
Senator Knox suggested that civil
as well as criminal responsibility in
expenditure Of the aircraft appropria-
tions also should be fixed.
There are charges of conspiracy"
he said, that indicate misuse or OBJ
tanning of hundreds of millions of dol
lars Of the peoples money"