American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-05-10
AIRCRAFT INVESTIGATION
Is STIRRING WASHINGTON
SENATE MILITARY COMMITTEE TO
START NEW PROBE.
Many Senators Express DisappOint-
ment at Progress Chairman Cham
berlain Announces There VIII BE No
Whitewashing by the Committee.

IN the department OF justice anu III
congress. Attorney General Gregory |
acting at President Wilson's direc- |
ton, is planning the investigation to
disclose if there has been malfeas- ,
ance or misuse of the great $640 ,000,- !
600 appropriation At the same time
Chairman Chamberlain of the mill
tary committee announced in vigorous
terms that the committee proposed to
have o thoroughgoing investigation of
it's own in which he declared it would
attempt to locate the personal respon-
sibility.
The aircraft subject came up as
soon as the senate convened Tuesday.
Stirred by public charges, eliminating
in the presidents order to the depart
ment of justice, senators at once began
demanding congressional inquiry.
Senator Brandegee, Republican, of
Connecticut, was among the first to
call for one and Chairman Chamber
lain responded with his announcement
of the committees intentions. Senator
Chamberlain said "the committee does
not propose to engage in any white
washing process, either"
In making his announcement Sena-
tor Chamberlain declared there had
been something radically wrong with
the whole program. He had never
seen the Borglum report, he said, but
declared the conclusions reached in
the H. SnOwden Marshall report were
in accordance with those of the com
mittee.
The senate committee, he said, was
a part of the governments authori-
ties, and added Significantly he was
glad the president approves its
course in advance"
New charges of a sensational kind
in connection with aviation are being
brought forth daily, Senator Chamber
lain continued.
These charges are coming to me
and other senators of the committee
every day." he said. This committee
is determined to do whatever is neces-
sary to help win the war"
No Fighting Planes Abroad.
Senator Vardaman, Democrat, OF
Mississippi, asked how many American
planes were abroad, and Senator Cham
berlain replied that not one American
built battle-plane had been sent there,
although American material in large
quantity had been shipped for assem-
bling.
Our people ought to be informed"
the senator proceeded, "of the truth
of the situation, and they never have
been"
Referring to testimony of Maj. Gen.
Squier, chief of the signal corps, be-
fore the committee, regarding failure
to train 1900 American cadets sent to
France because no airplanes were
available, and plans to return them to
this country for training, Senator
Chamberlain said a large number of
the cadets had never received any
training abroad.
Senator Walsh of Montana. Demo-
crat. declaring the statement extraor-
dinary,' asked if it were not con
fcssion of failure and what eXplana-
ton had been given.
"The extreme optimism of the chief
signal officer and those associated
with him." Senator Chamberlain re-
piled. was the explanation. "They
thought. in perfect good faith | think
that they would have the planes there
tc train the men,
Senator Chamberlain said the com
mittee had even more important in
formation. which it was not deemed
wise to publish, and said he had re
ceived a letter from one of the cadets
declaring their morale had been 'ab'
solutely destroyed by failure tC
receive training.
Authorities, he said, now are arrang
ing to protect them against the op
timism of the aircraft board
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts
Republican. commended the commit
tee for deciding to pursue the investi
cation. and said information SHOULD
be had regarding the expenditure
Of S64O. 900. 600 on the aviation pro
gram for such results as described b,
the senator.
Senator Thomas of Colorado, Demo
ccrat. said he understood that $500,
100. 600 had been actually expende'
= end that the rest is represented b.
contracts" which, when completed
will absorb the remainder.
No Planes to Train AviatOrS in Franc
Senator Walsh asked whether tn
sending of 1900 aviators to France TO
training was a wild. Needless an
thoughtless act of Gen. Squirer, or
failure because of wrong assurance
given him.
Il think he honestly believed tn
planes would be there replied Sena
tor Chamberlain.
Then there was no training OF IN
men because the planes were nc
tbere?" demanded Senator Walsh.
THE planes were not Forthcoming
either from this country or frol
France responded Senator Chamber
lain. This whole business has bee
camouflaged and misrepresented
the American public"
It has been only recently thf
rlanes have been supplied in adequai
quantities for training purposes, b
added.
Investigation shows, Senator Nj
Cumber of North Dakota, Republican
Continued on page three)