The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-05-08
NJ WHITEWASH
OF AIRCRAFT WORK
Plan to "Put Finger on Men
Responsible"
INDIGNATION IN THE SENATE
Attorney General Appoints William L.
Frierson, One of His Assistants, to
Conduct the Investigation.

Washington, May S.-Investigation
of the aircraft situation swiftly began
taking shape both in the department
of justice and in congress.
Attorney General Gregory, acting at
President Wilson's direction, began
planning the investigation which is to
disclose if there has been malfeasance
or misuse of the great $6400O0,00O ap-
jropriatiOn.
The attorney general named Will
liam l.. FriersOn, one of his assistants
to conduct the inquiry.
At the same time Senator Cham
berlain, Democrat, Oregon, chairman
of the senate military committee, an
nOunced to the senate in vigorous
terms the committee proposed to have
thorough-going INJURY of its own
in which he declared it would attempt
to locate the personal responsibility.
He promised the senate there would
he mo whitewashing.'
The aircraft subject came up as
soon as the senate convened. Stir
red by published charges eliminating
in the presidents order Senators at
once began demanding congressional
inquidy.
Senator Brandegee. Republican, of
Connecticut, was among the first to
call for one Senator Chamberlain
responded with his announcement of
the committees Intentions
The investigation, Senator Chamber
lain announced, would he to determine
how and where the immense appro-
priatiOns were expended, adding that
the committee proposes to put ''its
finger on the men responsible" and
added:
"The committee doesn't propose to
engage in any whitewashing process
either"
Senator Chamberlain said there had
been something radically wrong with
the whole program. He had never seen
the Borglum report, he said, but de-
clared the conclusions reached in the
Fl. Snowden Marshall report were in
accord with those of the committee
The senate committee, he said, was
a part of the governments authorities
and added significantly he was "glad
The president approves its course in
advance"
New charges of a sensational kind
in connection with aviation are be-
ing brought forth daily, Senator
Chamberlain continued.
"These charges are coming to me
and other members of the committee
every day." he said "This committee
is determined to do whatever is neces-
sary to help win the war"
Senator Vardaman, Democrat, Mis-
sissippi, asked how many American
planes were abroad. Senator Cham
berlain replied not one American built
battle plane had been sent there, al
though American materials In large
quantity had been shipped for assem-
bling
"Our people ought to be informed"
the senator proceeded, "of the truth
of the situation. They never have
been"
referring to the testimony of Major
General Squier, chief of the signal
corps, before the committee regarding
failure to train 1900 American cadets
sent to France because no airplanes
were available and plans to return
them to this country for training,
Senator Chamberlain said large num-
ber of the cadets had never received
any trsining abroad.
Senator Walsh, Democrat, Montana,
declaring the statement "extraordin-
ary," asked if it were not a "con-
fession of failure" and what explana-
ton had been given.
"The extreme optimism of the chief
signal officer and those associated
with him. Senator Chamberlain re-
piled, was the explanation. "They
thought, in perfect good faith, think,
hey would have the planes there"