Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-07
Mr.. Chamberlain Says Sane
ton Is Wanted to Determine
Disposition of Money.
MEMBERS EXPECT PROBE
OF N0N-CRIMINAL PHASES
Senator Thomas Says Borglum's
Statements Are Affected by
Documents, if True.

Chairman Chamberlain of the
Senate military committee an
nounced in the Senate today that
with the support of the Senate his
committee would investigate the
aircraft situation with a view of
determining how and where the
money appropriated for that pur-
pose had been spent.
Senator Chamberlain said his
committee proposes to put its
finger on men responsible" for
conditions in aircraft production.
He added that the committee
doesn't propose to engage in
any whitewashing process, either"
Members Of the Senate military COM
mittee conferred today on demands for
further committee investigation. Chair
man Chamberlain announced the full
Friday on whether to resume the in
quiry.
Might Take Testimony.
Some committee senators said 1t was
probable that. with the Department Of
Justice making the principal investiga-
tion, the committee might take testi-
mony on phases which do not relate to
criminal charges or responsibility, but
only with defective administration and
delay in production.
Senator Thomas today read in the
Senate the letter received by him from
the President regarding the aircraft
Investigation, and made public at the
White House yesterday. In connec-
tion with the letter. the senator ex-
planned that he had inspected docu-
mentS IN connection with Mr.. Borglum,
showing his interest in this inquiry.
and declared II the facts in the docu-
ments are true they must affect se-
riously his statements" Senator Thom-
as did not enter into details. though.
His eUnreserved" Declaration.
In response to questions Senator
Chamberlain unreservedly declared not
one American-built battle plane had
yet been sent to Europe, although ma
terials in large quantity had been ship
ped abroad for assembly.
Senator Chamberlain said he had never
seen the Borgium report and has never
discussed the situation with Mr.. Borglum
in detail. although he and a number of
members Of the committee met him for a
short time yesterday. The conclusions
reached in the Marshall report were In ac-
cord with those Of the committee in its
recent report, the senator said. adding he
hoped for better results, now that the
President had placed John d. Ryan at the
head Of aircraft production. whom he
characterized as a man who has been
in the habit of doing things
Committee to Obtain the Truth.
Declaring that the committee intends
to find out the truth of this situation"
Senator Chamberlain referred to state-
ments Of President Wilson in the lat
ter's letter to Senator Thomas urging
authorities of the government. Senator
Chamberlain said the Senate committee
is a part of the governments authori-
ties. and added that he is glad the
President approves it's course in ad-
New charges of sensational kind in
connection with aviation are being
brought forth daily. Senator Chamber
lain continued.
These charges are coming TO me and
other members of the committee every
day." he said. This committee is de-
to help win the war. II there is re-
sponsibility for lack Of speeding up.
the committee proposes to put its fin-
ger on the men responsible. without
fear or favor. The committee proposes
to point to the men who are respon-
sible. And it doesn't propose to engage
in any whitewashing process. either"
Query by Senator vardaman.
Senator vardaman Of Mississippi
asked how many American planes are
abroad, and Senator Chamberlain re-
hot
tleplane had been sent there, although
American materials in large quantity
had been shipped for assembling.
Our people ought to be informed.
truth of the situation, and they never
have been"
Referring to testimony of Maj. Gen.
suer Ghsf Of the
train 1900 American cadets sent to
France. because no airplanes were
available and plans .isinT to return them n. to
said a large number OF
the cadets had never received any
abroad.
said the statement was extraord-
mary" He asked IL 1t was not a con-
fession of failure" and what explana-
T SThe extreme optimism of the chief
signal officer and those associated with
him." Senator Chamberlain replied.
'Ihey thought, In perfect good fatth, L
think, that they would have the planes
there to train them"
No Training Of Men.
'aThen there was no training Of the
men because the planes were not
there@' asked Senator Walsh
'-The planes were not forthcoming
either from this country or from
France" responded Senator Chamber
lain.
This whole business has been cam
oufaged and misrepresented to the
American people, declared Senator
'It has only been re-
Gently that planes have been supplied
in adequate quantities for training pur-
poses." he added.
In response to Senator McCumber's
question the Oregon senator said the
original aircraft program provided for
like from $500 to 5000
lighting planes in France by July 1.
made by him shows
Senator McCumber continued. that
such planes can, be produced at
big profit" for $4,000 each,
But had they cost $4,000 each we
ouglat to have had 100000 planes" he
declared. II think IN visw OF the fact
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