New-York tribune., 1918-05-23
Senate to Let
Hughes Direct
Aero Inquiry
Continued from page |

1acts which one investigation has dis-
closed. We should, Of course, i'll no
way make any statements which, from
military point Of view, should not
be made, and if we had basis for
civil or criminal proceedings we
should properly reserve the evidence
so far as it would be appropriately
disclosed upon the trial and previous
ly withheld
Must Show Basis
For Conclusion
But am very sure that the coun-
try would not be content with our m
quiry, and particularly if we discover
no grounds for further proceedings,
unless we showed the basis for our
conclusion in an adequate report OF
the facts we have ascertained. This
certainly should be dispassonate and
impartial, and be confined to facts
When we are in position to make
such report of our inquiry we shall
know the facts, and 1t will be re-
assuring to the country and support
our inquiry, and it's reputation Tor IN
tegrty, if we state conclsely. but
fairly and completely, the results of
our Investigations
eff it is understood that we con-
template this course Of action.
should suppose that there would be
general disposition to permit our IN
vestigation to proceed unembarrassed
by any other parallel course of ac-
ton. Clearly as we may recognize
the authority to conduct another OF
fetal inquiry at the same time, we
cannot doubt that any official inquiry
into the same course of conduct al
though with another aim, would tend
to make difficult, if not Impossible.
the successful prosecution OF our
own.
EITHER nothing of Importance
would be elected, which would make
such an inquiry needless, or points
would be brought out which would at
once. suggest to the guilty, If there
be such, where effort should be made
to block successful prosecution.
Even with the best intention in the
world, it would be almost impossible
to know in advance what should be
gone into and what should be left un-
touched. We might be following a
promising clew, only TO find our ef
forts unntentionally thwarted.
eve are instructed to have a
prompt and thorough investigation,
and my desire is that we should have
the fullest opportunity to make such
an investigation, and in order that
we may have this opportunity it is
desirable that it should be generally
understood that when we are through
we shall state the facts we have as
ccrtained in the manner I have sug
gested above, to the end that all may
be satisfied to await the result of
our investigation. When we have
reached that result, | should sup
pose that our report would have such
thoroughness that it would be ac-
cepted as the final statement in the
matter, unless, of course, some new
evidence not discovered by us should
thereafter come to light"
Mr.. Chamberlain appointed the fol
lowing sub committees for such inves
LEGATIONS as may be held: On aircrat
production, Senator Thomas, chat,
man. Senators Reed, Smith of Geol
gia, New and Frelinghuysen. On qua,
termastcrs upplies-Senator Nickel
lar, chairman; Senators Beckhan
Kirby, Sutherland and Johnson of Ca
ifornia. On cross licensing of al,
craft-senator Fletcher, chairman
Senators Myers, Sheppard, Warre
and Knox. The sub committee on ord
nance already appointed is SenaAo
Hitchcock. chairman; Senators Fletcf
er, Bcckham, Weeks and Wads
worth. Senator hamberlain is eS
oficio a member of all the sub commit