The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1918-05-07
THREE AIRCRAFT
INQUIRIES OPEN
IN WASHINGTON
No Planes to Train 1900
Cadets Sent Abroad, Senate
Is Told.

WASHINGTON. May 7.--Investl-
cation OF the aircraft situation swift
ly began taking shape to-day both in
tho Department Of Justice and in
Congress. Attorney General Gregory,
acting eat President wilson's dlrec-
tion, began planning the investlga-
ton which is to disclose IL there has
been mnlfensance or misuse OF tho
great 164O, O,OOO,O 900 appropriation.
At the same time Chairman Cham
berlain OF tho Senate Military Com
mittee announced to tho Senate in
vigorous terms that the committee
proposed TO have a thorough inquiry
OF its own in which he declared 1t
would attempt 10 locate tho personal
responsibility. He promised the SEN
atc thero would be no "whitowasb-
ing"
The House Military Committee
opened an informal inquiry OF its
own into the aircraft production
work when it began hearings on the
Si,032, 100000 appropriation asked by
the War Department for airplanes.
The committee called Secretary OF
War Baker. Gen. March, Acting Chief
OF staff; Director General Ryan OF the
Aircraft Production Board and Cen.
Henley. Chief OF Aeronautics; Gen.
Squicr and Col. Deeds, former aircraft
official, into the hearing.
Secretary Baker was quoted as hav-
inE declared charges of graft and fail
urc in the aircraft programme con-
stitutcd merely enemy propaganda" 3"
and asked that he be allowed TO out
line next years programme before
being asked about last years work.
American forces in France are
Adequately protected with aircraft" d"
Gen. Kenley declared in replying to
a sensational letter from an Ameri-
can artillery officer written March 90
and claiming German Taubes were
practically unmolested in daily flights
over the American positions.
The aircraft subject came up in the
Senate as soon as it convened. Sem
ator Brandegee, Republican. OF Con-
nectlcut was among the first Of sew
eral 10 call for Congressional in
qulry.
In making announcement that an
| investigation would follow Senator
Chamberlain declared there had been
something radically wrong with the
whole programme. He had never seen
the Borglum report, he said, but de-
| clarcd the conclusions reached In the
II. Snowden Marshall report were ir
accord with those of the committee
New charges OF a sensational kin,
| in connection with aviation are beint
brought forth daily, Senator Cham
berlain continued.
Senator Vardaman, Democrat. Of
Mississippi asked how many Ameri
can planes were abroad and Senate
Chamberlain replied that not on
Americana built battleplane had beel
sent there. although American ma
terals in large quantity had bcel
shipped for assembling.
Referring TO testimony of Majo
General Squier, Chief OF the Sigma
Corps, before the committee, regard
ing failure to train 1900 America
cadets. sent to France because no air
planes were available, and plans I
return them TO this country for train
ing, senator Chamberlain said a lsrg
Z number OF the cadets had never r.
Ceived any training abroad.
| NNn1gh aGtfAA yghnfha IN
sending OF the 1900 aviators
France for training was a wilC
needless and thoughtless act" {
Gen. Squier or a failure because {
wrong assurances given him.
There is no question rcgardin
. Gen. Squier l think" replied Senate
Chamberlain. "I think he honestly be
lieved that the planes would be there
, In response to another questio
the Senator said the original aircrai
programme provided for somethin
like from $500 to 5000 lighting plane
in France by July 1.
> Investigation shows, Senator Nc
, Cumbor OF North Dakota Republican
. declared, such planes can be pre-
duced at a big profit for $500
apiece.
Production OF planes for that pric
Senator Reed declared, was "a phys
cal irnpossibility." The Liberty motto
Z he added, was only adaptable to tw
= or three planes. Senator McCumb'
4 insisted his estimates were correc
explaining they were based on II
production OF a standardized ms
chine.
Resumlng his announcement, Sci
ator Chamberlain declared that NJ
only would aviation he investigate
by the Committee, but II also won
}. continue its war inquiry with refe
!. ence to every other branch of q
service"
No Liberty Motors now are in n
. Grafton abroad, Senator Hitchcock
!, Nebraska lnterjected
o Senator Brandegee asked 10 who
Attorney General Gregory wou
make his report OF his investigate
ITO Congress?" he demanded IN
10 the President, who already h
two reports and tho Lord only knoV
!, II he would make this report pub
: If there is anything bad in II"
r, Senator PoindeXter OF Washtngtc
0, Republican, quoting from official !
o. ports. said the aviation program
ga up TO July / presents an aggregd
in cost Of Sl,145. 100000, including appr
e, priations made and now pending.
n L. :. Takes German Sugar Plants
ar Porto Rico,