Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-07
COFFIN. ASKS
!. AIR BOARD
GRAF | QUIZ
President Wilson Orders
Department Of Justice To
Investigate Borglums
Charges Against Builders
Of War Planes.
FOLLOWS STORMY
DEBATE IN SENATE

3 &. . q L = 1
Washington, D. G., May Ga |.
billion dollar appropriation for air.
craft production was asked OF con-
press today by the war depart
mont. This would add to the $780,
100000 appropriation already
made and expended.
Washington, D. c.. May ga de-
partment Of justice investigation OF
the charges Of graft in aircraft pro-
duction made by GutEon Borglum, the
sculptor, was ordered today by Pres
ident Wilson. Borglums charges OF
proGerman influence also Will be In
vestigated. Demand for 2 criminal in
vestigation was made In the senate re-
Gently.
{. Investigation by the department Of
justice was asked Of the president by
Howard Comm. formerly chairman OF
the aircraft board, who declared he re.
quested It that the reputation OF inno-
cent men might not be ruined BY
charges that have been made.
BoRoLUM LOSES jon az
At the same time the order for in.
vestigation was announced President
Wilson's correspondence with GutsOn
Borglum, the sculptor who made an
Investigation of the aircraft produc-
tion situation, was given out at the
white house. II disclosed that the
president last month advised Bofuluml
- - ~ an ON 4AlA4sA ~
vsstig f1 practic atspcse1 s6l
hfs services. q
s The aircraft situation has brought
repeated charges OF inennciency ON the
part Of those In charge Of 1t and de-
mands for IN inquiry prompted Presi-
dent Wilson ia, name an Investigating
commission headed by snowden Mar
shall. About the same time the presi-
dent authorized Borglum to make an
Investigation.
SENATORS DEMAND PROBE
Borglum's report never was made
public formally, although enough, Of
it's contents became known to show
that the sculptor had made charges
against those In control and had al.
legged there was graft in production Of
planes.
The senate became so stirred over
mediate investigation. In debate on
the subject senators asked that the
senate military committee renew its
inquiry with view to learning II
criminal prosecution should be
brought. ANmajority report by the
committee some weeks ago charged
that government ofhcials had kept the
public in ignorance Of the real state
Of affairs and recommended one man
aircraft control Subsequently Presi.
dent Wilson put John d. Ryan in
charge Of production.
HOUSE COMMITTEE CURIOUS
In taking up redraft of the army
appropriation bill carrying 5000, ,000,.
900 to provide for 100000 men during
the coming year, the house military
committee today indicated an mten-
tion Of making careful Investigation
of ordnance and aviation work.
Although members did not appear In.
clined to oppose any appropriation es-
sential to q successful prosecution Of
the war, many wanted to know what
had been done with appropriations al
ready made.
The estimate was presented to the
house military committee by Major
General March. acting chief of staff,
8uU OLN0T OlllCcIS. ARpIOpTldlIOuD
asked as needed in the 5000 ,000, 900
army budget, included $5.7s0, ,335, 1888
for the quartermaster's department
and $3,37S. .302.S01 for the ordnance de-
partment for heavy guns and fortifica-
tions.
COFFIN ASKS INQUIRY
Mr.. Coffin sent the following tele-
gram to the president Saturday:
Charges Of dishonesty have been
made against the aircraft board which
demand the fullest inquiry. / request
and urge that an official inquiry be
had in order that the reputation Of
innocent men may not be ruined"
President Wilson telegraphed him
today as follows:
"You may be sure will cooperate
in every wsy to prevent what you
rightly forsee may happen. The de.
partfnent Of justice will cooperate to
the utmost in seeing that all charges
are probed and the truth got at"
~-Ny q