The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1918-05-07
SEVERE EXCOR|ATION
ABOUT THE AIRCRAFT
SENATORS, IN HEATED DEBATE,
SAY THE PEOPLE GET 1T
IN THE NECK"
INVESTIGATION OF CONDITIONS
May LEAD TO PROSECUTIONS

Gross Extravaganza ana misuse OF
Funds Is Suggested During De-
bate. Gigantic Confidence Game
on People Is Charged.
WASHINGTON, D. C.-Severe
criticism of delays in the aircraft pro-
gram were made in the senate today
in connection with discussions of the
aircraft report made to President
Wilson by Gutzon Borglum, the
SCULPTOR. Senator Brandegee referr-
ed to newspaper publication of what
nurported to be the sculptor's report
and suggested that President Will
son had "pocketed" it. The whole
subject, he said, should be investigat-
ed by the senate military committee.
Saws President Pocketed Findings.
Borglum's report, as outlined in
the newspaper publication, was criti-
cal Of Major General Squier, chief of
the signal corps, and of others.
Senators Hitchcock and Thomas
said the entire situation had been
gone over with Mr.. Borglum and that
the sculptor had little new unpub-
Ished information. The committee,
Senator Thomas said, had declined to
call Mr.. Borglum before it because he
was mot entirely disinterested wit
ness, and was reported to have con-
nections with an aeronautical asso-
citation which was potential aircraft
manufacturer"
Senator Brandegee said that Mr..
Borglum, although given a letter by
President Wilson authorizing him to
secure aviation information from the
war department, had been Every
much Instructed" by army officials.
Not Be Squelched.
Declaring it appeared the "pri-
yate" report of Mr.. Borglum appa-
rently had been "pocketed," the SEN
ator said it should not be "squelched
and maufaged and kept in the dark. "
Senator Phelan asked if Mr.. Bor-
gIum had any peculiar qualifications
to Judge aircraft.
Il don't know" Senator Brande-
gee retorted. "The president selected
him and therefore l think he didn't
have any such qualifications"
Senator McCumber said the $780,
100000 appropriation for aircraft
had been spent and 100000, 900
was requested and said the people
demand to know "just what we got"
4 should say we've got it in the
neck" Senator Brandegee replied.
Gigantic Confidence Game.
Senator Hitchcock, dwelling upon
alleged misleading of the public re-
garding aircraft production, told the
senate that the aircraft board had
been playing gigantic confidence
game on the whole country" He de-
clared the liberty motor, in fact, is
nothing but the Packard motor i'm
proved and that the government is
contemplating paying the Packard
company between 100000 and ST.
100000 for its interests.
Investigation of the army aviation
situation with a view to criminal
prosecutions, was urged by the SEN
ate. Gross extravaganza and misuse
Of appropriations for the aviation
program were suggested, and, in spir-
tied speeches, several senators de-
eIared further investigation should
be made as to any criminal or civil
liability Of those responsible.
Senator King, of Utah, said he
would introduce a resolution for an
investigation if the military commit
tee did not act, declaring personal re-
sponsibility for the failure" of air
craft production should be fixed.
Others urging further and thor
ough investigation were Senator
Brandegee, of Connecticut, who re-
Gently asked the committee to inves-
tIgate alleged "pocketing" of the
Sorghum report to President Wilson;
Senator Knox, of Pennsylvania, and
Senators Beckham, of Kentucky;
thomas, of Colorado New, of Indi-
ana, and Kirby, of Arkansas, military
committee members.
Part of Report Startling.
While the debate in the senate was
IN progress, Senator Wadsworth, of