Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-08
|MANY-S|DED MAN,
IS GUTzON BORGLUM
Aircraft Student From Its In
fancy, Follower of Roosevelt,
Renowned Sculptor.
WAS WRONGLY SUSPECTED

WAS WRONGLY SUSPECTED
John Gutzon de la Mothe, better
| known as Gutzon Borglum. who pre-
ferred charges which led to launching
of two Independent Investigations of
aircraft production today. is widely
known in Washington. has spent much
time here, and has contributed some of
his best known sculptural works to the
capital.
Rorglum is a many-sided man. He
presents the rather unusual figure in
America of an artist who has taken
wide interest in public affairs. He has
upheld the theory. a commonplace in
continental Europe, that an artist need
not be divorced from business and pol
itics.
His interest in aeronautics, for ex-
ample. dates back to the infancy of
that science. He was an observer of
many of the early experiments of the
late Prof. Langley of the Smithsonian
Institution, and a close friend of that
aerial pioneer. he nelQ the watch on
the Wright brothers here during some
of their early demonstrations to which
they invited members of Congress, in
an endeavor to show that Tying was
practical. He was among the first to
urge the efficacy of flying machines in
warfare.
Looks Like Business Man.
No one would take Mr.. Borglum for
a sculptor In appearance he is more
like business man. He wears a close
cut mustache and is stocky of build,
and is bald headed.
Officials here who believe his charges
of pro-German influences and deliber-
ate misrepresentation of funds in aero
plane construction are unwarranted.
stated today that they have no doubt
of his entire sincerity and disinterested
attitude.
Aeronautics being his hobby. Mr..
Borglum obtained permission to visit a
number of plants which were working
| on planes and motors for the American
Army, according to friend. What he
| saw there, when compared with the
surprising statements emanating from
! Washington about the quantity of
motor and aircraft production, alarmed
| him. He decided to lay the matter
| before the President.
Mr.. Borglum and President Wilson
had known each other for some four
| teen years. The sculptor also num-
| bered Col Roosevelt and Mr.. Taft
| among his friends. He designed the
| gargoyles on Princeton dormitory and
| received a degree from that university
| while Woodrow Wilson was its presi-
dent.
Stumped for Wilson.
Mr.. Borglum has taken an active part
in political campaigns. When Roose-
welt broke with the republican party.
! before Mr.. Wilson's first election, he
took the stump for the latter. He
also took part in the last campaign
When Mr. Roosevelt was in the White
House he had the entree there. A
prominent New York business man
wanted to reach the ear of President
Roosevelt, and asked a Washington ac-
quaintance how to achieve that end.
| Try Borslum. He can get you in If
any one can"
We'll. I don't want to be introduced
| at the White House by an artist" was
! the reply. And the New Yorker did
! not get into the Executive Mansion by
| any other means.
among artists of having more friends
among public men than any one in his
| profession. He admitted that he
utilized these friendships in getting
ton which he now will turn over to
the Department of Justice.
Has Wide knowledge.
Though he has produced prodigious
array of art works, the fact has been
widely commented upon that he takes
his art as profession, and seldom
talks of it outside his studio. A man
who has been closely associated with
him for fourteen months today re-
marked that he has heard Mr.. Borglum
discuss with remarkable knowledge a
wide range of subjects, but never has
| talked with him about art matters
Some of his best known works are
In Washington. One of these Is the
head OF Abraham Lincoln in the ro-
| longed study of the life. character and
| all details extant about Lincoln's per
| sonal appearance before he began
| work on that piece. From his chisel
| dan Circle. and the Ffoulke memorial
| here. One OF his best known works
| Is the colossal series of figures Of the
| apostles at the Cathedral Of st. John
| the Divine. New York city.
Followed as He Searched.
Strange experiences marked Mr..
Borglum's advent as an Investigator
Armed only with credentials Of Presi-
dent Wilson. which he seems to have
used sparingly. he incurred the sus-
f! picion of certain other government
agencies. While he was on the trail of
men he suspected of helping delay the
aircraft program he was being closely
followed by agents Of several govern
| ment intelligence Offices. suspected Of
being a German spy.
Newspaper men who came to Wash
! ington to see him went back home and
in several cases wrote stories" to the
effect that "the President has put a
sculptor to investigating aircraft in
order to whitewash the administra-
ton" During his work he was ac-
cused of being German by birth. He
was born in Idaho. and his forefathers
were Danes Next 1t was intimated that
his wife was German. She was Miss
Mary Williams Montgomery. descend
| ant Of family whose history runs
back to Revolutionary days.
PETTY OFFICERS IN NAVY
FAIL TO DESCRIBE FLAG