The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-07
Whole Division Teens With
Profiteering. Is Charge.
$50, 900, 900 in Contracts Let on
Basis of ssPull.''
INVESTIGATION IS STARTED
Senate Military Committee
May Have Own Probe.
House Will Also Take a Hand
in Matter.


washington, May Fifty million
dollars worth of aero contracts have
been given men who had neither
rhyme nor reason for the remotest
connection with the emergency air
plane production" according to pub
lished charges today by Gutzon Borg
lum, sculptor and volunteer aviation
investigator.
Instead, according to Borglum.
these men received the favors because
they had "the pull Of Deeds'-Colonel
Deeds of the aviation production end.
Stung by President wilson's expose
of correspondence tending to show ne
had been only a volunteer in exposing
the airplane work, Borglum came
back with hot retort today.
Asserting he had been balked in his
investigation, the sculptor prober de-
clared there was a conspiracy among
the .'higher ups to deceive and mis-
lead him.
Full OF Graft, Says Borglum.
s.I have said that the aero division
is full of profiteering. that hundreds
of millions have gone, that factories
have been created where no factories
were necessary" Borglum's statement
declared. land that contracts to the ex-
tent of $50. 900, 900 given to men who
had neither rhyme nor reason for the
remotest connection with the emer-
gency airplane production, but VINO
had the pull of Deeds. and VINO are
still floundering in their ignorance
and incapable of fulfilling their con-
tracts, but still drawing, under the
cost plus system of the treasury
with these charges now before pub
lie view, the department OF Jusuce
proceeded with its preparations ior
~ ;nvestisation ordered by President
To BE Three Probes.
Three distinct and separate probes
of Americas aircraft production pro-
gram were being developed today.
Upon receiving President sWnson
dsnartment to go into the charges OF
graft and malversation launcheo
AGAINST aircraft off1cials by Gutzon
Rorelum, the sculptor, Attorney Cen
eral Gregory summoned Asslstahs AZ.
torney General G. Carroll Todd, Tor
conference on the subject 1t is be-
lieyed Todd, who has been conduct
ing an investigation OF gra1t cnarses
against the Hog Island shipyard om-
ciais,w will also lead the aircraft inquiry;
Following publication OF reiterated
charges of Borglum here today. the
storm of criticism and indignation IN
the senate regarding the aircraft STU
alton broke loose again. senator
Chamberlain, chairman OF the rh,i- W
tary affairs committee. reversing ms
previous position, declared that the
committee would conduct searching
inyestigation that would spare no
body" and make no use OF white-
wash"
Something Is Wrong!
..There is something radically
wrong and we propose to put our fin
ger on the man or men who are re-
sponsible for the present condition,
| he declared on the senate floor.
This committee is going to find
! where the $640,000.0o0 aircraft fund
has gone. There ought to be 4
change in method. The president has
, now instituted a change and l look
for better results. Aircraft production
is now in the hands of a man who
has made good in his private business,
which as pretty good evidence that he
will make good in business for the
government
To win War Is Purpose.
This committee proposes to do
everything in its power to win the
war It does not propose to engage
il. any whitewash process, either.
The people of the country should
he. told the truth about the situation.
They never have been. I do not
| blame anybody. Perhaps nobody has
known the TRUTH
He then declared that 1900 Ameri-
cans in the aviation service were sent
abroad for training, where they wait
| e1 long time, and were then sent
back here to train.
"As a result have been informed
that the morale of these men has
been absolutely destroyed" he de-
, clared.
Borglum's Letter.
Senator Thomas, Colorado, sub
mitted the letter received from the
president regarding the charges of
Gutzon Borglum.
Thomas said he had looked over
the Borglum report and was inclined
to doubt the credibility of the find
ings.
Senator Brandegee. Connecticut,
submitted a letter from the president
of the American Aeronautical society
defending the officers If the society
and the engineers in its employ.
81 don't want to incriminate any
body" he asserted. THE people who
! or prove up. All want is the truth.
Confidence is necessary to win this
/. war il it is eoing to be won. / don't
think it behooves us to sit silent and
let such things go on"
Baker Makes Light of It.
! Secretary of War Baker. before the
house military committee. was quoted
as having declared charges of graft
and failure in the aircraft program
constituted merely enemy propa-
ganda,- and asked that he be allowed
to outline next years program before
being asked about last years work
1 While the senate was discussing the
aircraft situation Secretary Baker and
other war department officials were
urging before the house military COM
mittee a new billion dollar aircraft
appropriation
! Would Keep Facts Secret