Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-06
PRESIDENT ORDERS
SEARCH FOR GRAFT
IN AIRCRAFT WORK,
Sends Department Of Justice
on Trail Suggested by
BorgIum Report.
ANY PRO-GERMAN GUILT
TO GET CRIMINAL BRAND

Publicity Will Be Given to Facts Al.
ready Brought Out by Recent
Investigation.
A Department Of Justice investigation
of the charges of graft in aircraft pro-
duction, made by Gutzon Borglum, the
sculptor, was ordered today by Presi-
dent Wilson.
Borglum's charges Of pro-German in
fuence also will be Investigated. De-
mand for criminal investigation was
made in the Senate recently.
Urged by Mr. cohan.
Justice was asked Of the President by
Howard Coffin, formerly chairman OF
the aircraft board. who declared he re-
quested 1t that the reputation of in
nocent men might not be ruined by
charges that have been made.
Mr.. Coffin sent the following telegram
to the President Saturday from his
place in Georgia:
Charges of dishonesty have been
made against the aircraft board which
and urge that an official inquiry
be had in order that the regulations OF
innocent men may not be ruined"
Replying to Mr.. Coffin's request, Presi-
dent Wilson wired him as follows:
your telegram received. You may
be sure shall cooperate in every way
to prevent what you rightly foresee
may happen. The Department OF
Justice will cooperate to the utmost
in seeing that all charges are probsd
and truth got at"
President Writes to Senator.
The President wrote Senator Thomas
Of Colorado today. informing him that
he had eordered the investigation. FOL.
lowing the senator's request Of Friday.
He said:.
"You were kind enough to consult me
the other day about the wholesale
charges in regard to the production OF
aircraft which have been lodged by Mr..
II take the liberty Of writing you this
letter in order to say more formally
what said to you then informally.
namely. ma that every . Instruments inssrumentality At
tice win be used to investigate and pur-
sue the charges Of dishonesty or mall
versatfon Of any kind. II the allega-
sidered worthy of serious consideration
I sincerely hope that the matter will be
treated as one for searching official In
Xestigation by the constituted authcri-
way can the reputation of those whose
actions have been perfectly regular and
blameless be protected and the guilt, fr
there is any, definitely lodged where 1t
should be lodged"
Borglum Correspondence.
At the same time the order for in
.vestigation was announced President
'Wilson's co-resoordenc with tsor
Borglun. the sculptor. who made an in
situation, was given out at the White
Hose. 1t oiscioced that the presiden;
last month advised Borglum he never
considered him an official Investigator
The Presidents correspondence with
Borglum began last December when
the sculptor, after having first called
on Secretary Tumufty. who made a re-
port to President Wilson. received q
letter from the White House saying
the President was much disturbed by
his views of the aircraft situation. and
asked him to be more specific in his
criticisms.
In January, the President. after con-
ferring with Secretary Baker. invited
Borglum to lay the whole matter be-
the advantage Of having member Of
Secretary Bakers staff detailed to as
sist him in looking up facts.
Every facility of inquiry will be
wrote the sculptor. He added that If
differences of judgment remained he
would be glad to have report from
ence enc shows, Borglum had made pre-
liminary report and the President
transmitted it to Secretary Baker.
Asks About Report.
BY March. Borglum evidently had in
quired about the fate Of his report. for
the PRESIDENT wrote him, saying the
whole aircraft situation was undergo
ing thorough review" and that Bor-
glum's report had been placed before
the Investigators.
In April evidently there were letters
from Borglum to the President. not
given out at the White House. for on
April Is the President wrote the sculp-
tor, declaring he was under a serious
had complained he was not stupplied
with expert assistance necessary to an
investigation.
Not Administration Agent.
IT never at any time constituted you
an official Investigator" wrote the
right to look into the matter of your
own motion and 1 am sure that the
letter which the Secretary Of War pro-
vided You with. he gave you with
the same purpose and idea. We have
wished at every point to assist you
and to make possible for what you
wish to do, but we have at no time
regarded you the official represent
ative of the administration in making
the investigation. If had SO regarded
you I would, of course, have supplied
you with such assistance as you feel
you have lacked"
Charges Repeatedly Made. ..
The aircraft situation has brought re-
peated charges Of ineff1ciency on the part
Of those in charge of 1t. and demands for
an inquiry prompted President Wilson to
name an investigating commission, headed
by Snowden Marshall. About the same
time the President authorized Borglum to
make an investigation.
Borglum's report never was made pub,
lie formally. although enough of its COR
tents became known to show that the
sculptor had made charges against those
in control and had alleged there was graft
In production of planes.
Demands in Senate.