Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-08
GREGORY ADOPTS
PLANS TO PUSH
AIRCRAFT INQUIRY
Senate Military Affairs
Committee Will Conduct
Its Own Investigation.
AMERICAN PEOPLE DECEIVED,
SAYS SENATOR CHAMBERLAIN
"Wc Do Not Propose to En-
gage in Any Whitewash-
ing Process"
CABINET DISCUSSES MATTER
Assistant .ittorncy-Gcncr;iI Will In
vcstigatc Charges Of Graft
ami Miemanagcmcnt.
AMERICAN PEOPLE DECEIVED,
SAYS SENATOR CHAMBERLAIN
CABINET DISCUSSES MATTER


WASIlIHGTDE May 1.-Two Now In
vcstisations of aircraft production arc
about "a hc launched Whtlc Prcsi-
don, Wilson and tho Cabinet were
hearing today .Attorucy-tcucraI Greg
"ry's plans for tho iululry into chargc cs
OF graft aud mismanagcm ordered
hy the President Chairman Chamber
lain. OF tn: senate Military Commit
tee announced that the committee pro-
posed 20 reopen it's Investigation and
put its finger On the men RESPONSE
bic" for deficiencies in tho aviation
program.
I'm the meantime. the House Mill
tary Committee. considering the sla.-
GOO, 100000 army appropriation bill.
with si.o0o.G00. 600 for aviation. ylrtu-
ally completed a brief aircraft inquiry
q is own. After hearing Secretary
l:aker and his chief aids for aviation.
tho committeeman wcrc agreed that
the situation did not call for an in
NcstiSat!or by them, and leading mem
hcrs said after the meeting they are
convinced that there had been no c-!u-
inal liabilit! for delays and deficiencies
In the past and that tho present status
Of the War Department plans was sat
isfactory.
The A,to-ney-Gcneral slcn, an hou-
with the President atter the Cabln.,
meeting. Later hc announced that AS
sistant !tt;orney-Gcncral William L.
Fricrson, formerly OF Chattanooga, had
been assigned to conduct A thorough
inquiry with the assistance OF other
lawyers Of the department and special
agents OF the Bureau OF lnyegtiga-
ton.
One OF the nrst steps by Mr.. Fr.er-
son vii! be 10 examine the report sub
m!t;cd TO the President by Gutzou
Bo-glum. the sculptor, and to call upon
Mr.. Borelwm for evidence To support
his sweeping charges of graft and pro-
German Intrigue. Attorney -C;cncral
Gregory said to-day tho .culp,or will
he given the fu!lcs, opportunity to
subsiantiatc his allegations In addi-
ton TO the Eors!um rapport. Mir. Fricr-
son VIII have the report Of the Prcsi
dents special committee, headed by II.
Snowden Marshal! and such informa
ton as has been developed by the
senate committee. Apparcntiv the re
quest OF Mai General Spulcr. CHIEF
signal officer OF the army, for a mill
tary court OF inquiry 10 establish the
truth or faisity Of Eorglum's accusa :
'ions acnin.; army officers. sti!l IS be-
fore President Wilson. Some officers
think the President will decide that
the tiEa,iou by tile Department
OF Justice Is sufficient. but the feeling
at tho War Department apparently il
that charges having been made reflect
ing upon the honesty and loyalty OF
officers, they have a right TO expect
that military court will deal with
them.
Senator Chamberlain referred to the
charges that rro-German Influences
have inspired criticism OF the aircraft
program and declared such charges
would not deter any OF the commit
tee from doing his duty.
CHAMBERLAIN PROPOSES no puT
FINGER ON MEN RESPONSIBLE
Senator Chamberlain declared his
ammittcc proposed to put it's finger
=. men responsible" for conditions in
hrcraft production. and added: THE
committee does not propose 10 engage
III any whitewashinS process, either"
In response TO questions, Senator
Chamberlain unrcservclly declared not
one American built battle plane had
yet been sent 10 Europe, although ma
terlals in large quantity had been
shipped abroad for assembly
DECLARES HEARS DAILY
OF sENStTI IDNAL CHARGES
New charges OF sensational kind
in connection with aviation arc being
brought forth daily, Chamberlain con-
tinued.
These charges arc coming TO me and
other members OF the committee every
day." he said. This committee is de-
tcrmincd to do wha,cver is necessary
10 help win the war"
Senator NardanIan, Democrat Of Mis-
sissippi. asked how Ininy American
planes were abroad, and Senator Cham
berlain replied that not one American
built battle plane had been sent there.
although American materials i'm large
quantity had been shipped for as
sai,,hinG.
Our people ought to bo informed, -
the Senator proceeded. "of the truth
OF the situation, and they never have
been"
Refcrring to testimony Of Major
General Squicr, chief OF the signal
corps. before the committee regarding
failure to train 1900 American cadets
sent to France, because no airplancs
were available. ard plans TO return
them to this country for training. Som
ator Chamberlain said IL large number
OF tho cadets had never received any
training abroad.
Senator Walsh. declaring tho state
ment "cxtraordinary." asked if 1t were
not confession OF failure" and what t
explanation had been given.
Tho extreme optimism OF the chief
CONTINUED on Second Pagc)