The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-05-10

/ conclusion OF that meeting that so
far as the new company was con-
Cerned, l thought it best to drop all
discussion a Il, inasmuch as Mr.. Bor-
glum did not have the designs to sub
NIT for construction. but was probably
relying upon his official powers to
requisition and get certain informa-
ton from the Government which
could be turned over to the new COM
pany for construction.
THE thought occurred to me that
possibly this man through his friend
ship with the President had obtained
authority which makes him decidedly
dangerous to the interests OF the
country in which he might remove
from activity those people now re-
sponsible for the Industrial develop
ment OF aircraft without hope of sub
shutting In their stead q new work
ing force. 1t occurred to me that
much valuable time might be lost; 1t
further struck me that IL he would take
me into his confidence in this matter
he might give wide publicity to the
matters discussed with me and that
he might show to others his creden-
tials from the President as evidence
of his authority.
Upon leaving Mr.. BorgIum and
while escorting Mr.. Suplee home. I
stated that was going to take the
position of being very anxious to
start the company, was going to call
for designs and was going to suggest
to Mr. Borglum that II might be en-
tirely possible for him to get these
designs along the lines indicated
with the purpose in mind Of seeing
whether or not Mr.. BOrglum was
willing to use his official authority
as a means to further a private in
terest
Back To BOrEIum's Room
After leaving Mr.. Suplee, I went
back to Mr.. Borglums room, and dis
cussed the new company with him
further, limiting at the matters above
referred to, and upon being ques-
toned by Mr.. Nichols as to just what
meant, Mr.. Borglum spoke up.
stating to Mr.. Nichols as Don't you
see what he is suggesting? He means
cannot we get the designs from
which planes can be constructed at
once
He assured me this might be en-
tirely possible and again impressed
upon my mind that he, of course,
could not be identified with the new
organization, that Mr.. Harris. of New
York. would have to represent him
in all negotiations.
The following day, Wednesday.
January 16, 1918. I decided that he
was a matter which should be looked
desty, who is my fathers confidant,
and a friend OF Mr.. Coffin. and put
the case squareIy before him, asking
him wha: 7 should do"
Saw Vice President.
MI Mix wrote the above on Janu-
airy II last and then on January 20
called on Vice President Marshall who
took the matter up with the Secretary
Of War.
In the exhibits is a letter written
by Hugo o. Gibson. OF the British
war munitions ministry. to Kenyon
Mix. jr. in which Mr.. Gibson not only
discusses the organization of new
company, but shows that he was in
communication with Mr. BOrglum
about it. The letter under date OF
December 81 follows:
MY dear Mr.. Mix:
Mr.. Borglum, discussing your in
teresting letter OF December % with
me, is L understand, to write you in
the endeavOr to have a conference
in New York as soon as possible.
Il am entirely at one with you
in the general suggestion that you
make and 1t would seem that with all
the facilities available, we could not
fail to obtain a really satisfactory
result, which will have a most import
ant bearing on the future OF this
country.
Does paragraph three Of your let