Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-05-07
FrierSOn Is Named
Aircraft PrOber
Continued from PAGE One


successor Of General Squier. rs military
aircraft head declared in replying to a
sensational letter from an American
artillery officer, written March 20 and
claiming German taubes were virtually
unmoles,ed in daily fights over the
American positions.
Anti-aircraft guns we're used with lit
tie effect. the letter declared and valu-
able photographs of the American lines
we're obtained
More fighting PLACES must be sent
to the American 'front.' the officer wrote.
"or the lack must be paid for in men
The army's balloon service will be
increased during the year, testimony of
Colonel Deeds showed. and it is pos
sible that some of the Zeppelin type will
be built. Deeds said captive balloons
have proved very valuable observation
posts for the Germans.
Senator Thomas (Colorado) submitted
the letter received from the President
regarding the charges of Gutzon Bor-
glum.
Thomas Assaiis BorRlum
Gutzon Borglum was the target for a
sharp attack by Senator Thomas. Of Col
orado. Immediately after the Senate
convened this afternoon.
Senator Thomas charged that Mr..
Borglum's association with certain man
ufacturers was not creditable and would
seriously affect the credibility Of his
testimony in any investigation.
THAT letter was the result of a con-
ference I had with the President" said
Senator Thomas. "Since then have been
favored with an inspection Of the docu'
ments showing the association OF Mr..
Borglum with certain manufacturers
Regardless of the truth or falsity of
his charges. these documents are not
at all creditable to Mr.. Borglum and
must seriously affect the credibilty of
any statements he may make
"No Reason for Contracts"
Fifty million dollars worth of aero
contracts have been given men who
had neither rhyme nor reason for the
remotest connection with the emergency
sirplane production" according to pub
lished charges today of Gutzon Borglum.
sculptor and volunteer. aviation investi-
gator.
Instead. according to Borglum, these
men received the favors because they
had the pull of Deeds"-Colonel Deeds,
of the aviation production end.
Stung by President Wilson's expose
of correspondence tending TO show he
had been only a volunteer In exposing
the airplane work, Borglum came bs ok
with a hot retort today, breaking his
silence for the first time. He heaped
upon that claim others of a serious
nature and declared he could scarcely
consider President Wilson's course a
friendly act.
Asserting he had been baked In his
Investigation, the sculptor-prober de-
clared there was a conspiracy among the
higher-ups to deceive and mislead him.
Charges Of PronteerinE
.I have said that the aero department
is full of profteering that hundreds
Of millions have gone; that factories
have been created where no factories
we're necessary" Borglum's statement
declared, "and that contracts to the
extent OF $50. 900. 900 we're given to men
who had neither rhyme nor reason fol
the rsmotest connection with the emer,
rency airplane production. but who hac
the null of deeds. and who are still
noundering In their ignorance and In,
sompetency, unable and incapable Of full
Alline their contracts, but stili drawing
under the cost plus system Of the Treas
ury."
lkrrrv. men ef sbtlity an1 prq0ctenoy. :
z -