Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-05-16

uhases of war preparations.
TAKES FIRM STAND.
He declared he would regard the
passage of such a resolution as vote
Of want of confidence in the admins
tration and virtually as an attempt to
take over the conduct of the war.
In designating former Justice
Hughes, whose record in New York
insurance investigation is well re-
membered, the president said he felt
the Department of Justices investiga-
ton was of the very greatest i'm
portance, that if any person were
found to be guilty they might be
prosecuted vigorously and promptly
and that the regulations Of those
attacked might be protected it the
charges were found to be ground
less.
Stirs Heated Discussion.
The letter to Senator Martin was
the subject of heated discussion.
Senator Chamberlain of Oregon,
who introduced the resolution OF
inquiry, called before the senate ex-
penditures committee considering it,
declared there was no intention OF
investigating "the conduct of the
war" and that the resolution was
worded as it was only to give the
military committee, of which he is
chairman, authority to resume its
previous Investigations. The senator
also issued a statement in which he
explained that no charges had been
made against Major General Squier
or Rear Admiral Taylor, the army
and navy members of the aircraft
board.
\ The expenditures committee, by a
vote of 3 to 2, amended the resolu-
ton by striking out reference to the
conduct of the war and adding a pro-
viso specifically limiting the scope of
the committees activities. If the sem
ate refuses to adopt the resolution as
amended, Senator Chamberlain indi-
Gated he would drop the lnvestlga-
ton planned.
Administration leaders were of the
opinion tonight however, that the
amendment would be acceptable at
the White House and that the resolu-
ton would be passed. If so, the
military committees will proceed in
dependently of the Department OF
Justices inquiry.
Preparations for the departments
investigation ordered recently by the
president as a result of sensational
charges based largely upon state
ments by Gutzon Borglum, the sculp-
tor, already are proceeding under the
direction of Assistant Attorney Gefl-
eral William L. Frierson.
Frierson now is examining docu-
ments furnished by the War depart
ment showing how contracts for afr
planes, engines and parts were let,
and giving other information on the
airplane manufacturing program: He
also has the report to the president
of the investigating committee headed
by H. Snowden Marshall and that OF
Mr.. Borglum.
As modified, the Chamberlain reso-
luton will be reported tomorrow, A
vote may be deferred until Saturday
or early pext week.
At conference of democratic SEN
ators during the day it was agreed
that the administration forces would
oppose adoption of a resolution in a
form which might be considered to
authorize an inquiry into general
conduct of the war and also to op-
pose authorization of experts and as
,istants for the committee.
The choice of Mr.. Hughes to act
with the attorney general was met
with expressions of satisfaction on
all sides at the capitol. Some re-
publican senators voiced surprise, but
there was not a suggestion of dis
approval.