New-York tribune., 1918-05-06
House, Senate and War De.
partment to Delve Into
Charges
To Trace Expenditures
Military Court May Sift
Borglum's Report of
a Conspiracy
Especial Dispatch to The Tr,bune)


WASHINGTON, May 5.-1nvestiga-
tions to determine whether the Amer
lean aviation programme has been VIC
tim of inefIiciency, or original misman-
agement, or combination of the two,
probably will be started this week by
three distinct official bodies here.
The House Military Affairs Committee
will go into this subject Tuesday, when
hearings are begun on the $1,20o,00o,-
600 aviation item of the SIS, 000,0000 900
army appropriation bill.
On the Senate side members Of the
Military Affairs Committee will decide
within day or two whether there is
sufficient evidence to warrant delving
into charges by Gutzon Borglum, the
sculptor, that an organized conspiracy
is hindering airplane production.
The third probable investigation is
by the War Department. Secretary
Baker has indicated military probe
will be ordered.
To Trace Expenditures
Republican leader Gallinger of the
Senate also has introduced resolu-
tlOIl uIIcCIlNS lIc NOIuIUltteS OH w af
| Department Expenditures to see what
has been done with the vast sums ap-
propriated for the department. 1t is
intended primarily to throw the spot
light on the disposition made of the
$G40, 100000 voted by Congress last
summer for airplanes. If the military
committee undertakes a thorough in
vestigation of the aviation tangle SEN
+ ator Gallnger probably will not push
his resolution.
Nothing since the United States has
entered the war has stirred the capital
as have the revelations and alleged
revelations on airplane production.
This probably is due to the fact that
for months the country has been led
by optimistic press agents to be-
lieve that exceptional progress was be-
ing made, The climax came the past
week when the charges of conspiracy
developed.
Want Military Probe
Virtually every one here agrees there
have been inexcusable delays, along
with many unavoidable ones. Most OF
the members of Congress SIS and executive
officials charge the former to ineffi-
clent management. But the number
who believe there is some warrant for
, the allegations Of Borglum, who made
his Investigations last winter on the
strength of letter from the President,
is growing.
Action by the War Department is be-
/ ing demanded to clear the names of
officers involved in Borglum's charges
A military court, it is recognized, will
come nearer to arriving at the facts
than Will either an unfriendly Senate
committee or House committee that
up to this time has been friendly. The
public, however, probably will be told
little that is found out should Mr
Baker order the probe.
Since, following the recent report OF
H. Snowden Marshall, the President has
reorganiZed the Aircraft Production
Board and placed John D. RYAN in
charge of airplane production, the mill
tary court would limit itself to what
has taken place in the past.
House Inquiry Broader
The scope OF, the House Investigation
will be much broader, as will that OF
the Senate, if undertaken. Chairman
Dents committee decided yesterday to
so into the causes of delay in airplane
production. Members want to know
what progress has been made since re-
organization was ordered by the Presi-
dent. They also have asked definite in
plane fund was expended, why it was
necessary to present a deficiency bill
for s400 100000, and what it is expect
ed to accomplish with the huge sum
now asked Actual production figures
will be insisted upon.
That the desire for an investigation
is not confined to members of the
Military Committee was indicated to.
! day, when Representative c.. B. Smith
of New York, Democrat, wrote lette
to Chairman Dent asking if one is tc
be made. If not. Mr.. Smith said he
would introduce a resolution providing
for select committee to make thor
! 0ilxel .1.4.. - Il 1