The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-05-17
Appointment of Hughes to
Examine War Scandals
Adds Bitterness.
CHAMBERLAIN IS FIRM
Amended Resolution Fails
to Shake Determination
Of President.
EARLY CONFERENCE HELD
Fight Has Become fractional
and Party Lines Are
Thrown Aside.
Special Deapdtch to THy Suy.

SpeCfdf DSspdfCk 10 IHH SCS.
WAsHISGroN. May ls. - The Senate
seethed with Indignation to-day when IL
became known definitely that the Pres:-
dent had set his face against any form Of
resolution amplifying the functions OF
the Military Committee or authorixinS
further inquiry into the delinquencies,
real or imaginary. Of the War Depart
ment or any of its collateral agencies
The designation OF former Associate
Justice Hughes to assist Attorney Gen.
eral Gregory in the Investigation which
the Department OF Justice has been orr
dered to undertake increased rather than
diminished the bitterness II was admit"
ted on both sides Of the chamber and in
the camps of both factions. for the fgh.
in the Senate is fact.onal and not strictly
upon party lines. The prediction wAs
made that a showdown must come and
tho Senate squared itself for the test
That the President objected even t.
the amended form Of the Chamberlain
resolution became known definitely fol.
lowing an early morning conference the
President had with Senator Thompson
(kan). Senator Thompson's visit 10
the White House was made before >
House visitors. The President evidently
regarded the situation in the Senate az
having serious potentialities. as he gave
UP his morning game Of golf in order TO
discuss the matter with the Kansas Ser.
ator whose committee yesterday over.
rode him.
opposes 4 ARendMent Form.
When Senator Thompson left the
White House he said:
I'VE are going TO do all we can TO do.
tcst the resolution. even a $ revised. Tns
President authorized me TO say that hs
is just as much opposed to the amended
resolution as he was to the Original"
The President takes the position i
was explained. that the resolution before
the Senate still is drawn too broadly.
and that a general inquiry into the war
department would be permitted under It's
'erns. The President does not object,
IL is said, to the committees in>es,!saL-
ing the aircraft matter. and III this GER
'Ain rather definite charges have been
inade. But until more definite charges
based upon facts are made against the
war Department he will oppose any IL
|estigation of is affairs such as would
ne permitted by the resolution
Early in to-day's session Senator Nc.
helar (Tennessee) presented on behalf
OF the majority OF the Committee on
Audits and Control Of Expenditures Of
the Contingent Fund a report favoring
the amended Chamber! Jain resolution.
"hich authorizes inquiry into the prog
'eas ard development of all plans OF
aviation. ordnance anu the Quartc-mas-
ters Department. Senator Thompson
announced that the minority of the
Audit and Control Committee, consisting
OF himself and Senator Jones (New
Mexico), would be filed tomorrow.
1t Is probable. then. that Senator
Thompson will propose a substitute ron.
hhing the investigation 10 aircraft mat
fers' The presentation OF the two ,..
ports VIII piccipitate fight unless 1t be
POSSIBLE FOR the Administration forces T.,
gain days delay by intcrpos!ns obiec-
ton to the consideration OF the minority
report a once.
Mckeiiar Can't See objection.
In presenting the majority report TO.
day Senator Mckellar said "Foy the
we OF me cannot see any objection To
the resolution. amended as il Is 10 meet
any objections tina. have been raised
before our committee. Every obtectior-
aoie item stated before the committee
has been eliminated"
Senator Thompson INTERRUPTED Sena.
tor Mcclellan to say that there were IN
few objections 10 the resolution which
would be set forth in the minority re.
port which he would tile Tomorrow
Senator Martin VaD. Democratic,
leader. TO whom the President yesterday
addressed his letter stating thai the
whole question of investigation was In
opposition to his wishes, then Addressed
tho Senate. II was in the remarks OF
the leader that the Senate first caught
the idea that the Presiden, nad shifted
hnally to position oil complete ana
irreconcilable opposition TO the Cham
berlain resolution in any form Senator
Martin said
II do not think confederation il
goin: to take place Gnless We 60 at a
double quick step 10 take up this reso-
luton. ] want TO see both these re-
ports a,si I want ample time for that
Indeed l had hopes that the steps taken
10y the President in appointing one o.
tho best lawyers In the Department o.
Justice and assigning with him Justice
Hughes would satisfy every Senator tina,
the Government proposes TO make a
total investigation OF this matter"
Resent Choice Of Nushes.
But Senator Martins reference TO the
selection OF the ex-Justice does not de-
fine the views OF the Senators OF both
political parties who are prepared a.
stand behind Senator Chamberlain and
the Military Committee and go forward
with the investigation upon the broad
lines set forth In the resolution The
ch0icA NJ Ap Hn~hA~ Il covnvnsud>A nuts