New-York tribune., 1918-02-19
President Takes
Hand in Inquiry
On Hog Island
Reports of Padded Payrolls
Follow Wilson's Visit to
Shipping Board

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1S.-Rcports OF
padded payrolls in the government fab
ricated steel shipbuilding plant at Hog
Island arc under investigation by the
Department of Justice, it became
known to-day after visit of Presi
dent Wilson to the department and the
Shipping Board to discuss the prospcc-
tive general inquiry into conditions
there.
United States Attorney Francis f.
Kane received instructions moro than
two weeks ago to gather all the facts
possible concerning rumors that many
officials were paid cxorbitant salaries
and some so-callcd experts were paid
from two or more accounts. His re
port will be rendered soon to a special
Department of Justice Investigator to
be appointed at the request of prcsi-
dent Wlson to probe into the Hog
Island situation.
Investigator Is Selected
After a brief conference to-day with
President Wilson, who called uncxpect-
edly at the department, Solicitor Gen
cral Davis intnAted that the investi-
gator already had been chosen, but
would not be announced until the
turn to the city of Attorney General
Gregory, who has been in Mississippi
attending the funeral of his mother
The President called at the Depart
ment Of Justice to sec the Attorney
General, but finding him out went to
tho Office Of the Solicitor General act
ing head Of the department. At the
I Offices of tho Shipping Board the
President did not find Chairman 1iur
lev, whom he had called to sec, and
left after talking to Mr.. llurlcy's as
sistant
The Senate committee investigating
ships voted to-day to visit Hog Island
next Monday to ascertain at first hand
the progress made by the American In
tcrnational Corporation in constructing
( the plant The committee plans to
spend only part of one day there. re-
turning TO Washington Monday night.
Report on Purchases Asked
Chairman Fletcher said to day the
Emergency Fleet Corporation had been
asked to give the committee a detailed
report showing the source of the pur-
chase of all supplies for the construc-
tion of the yard and for shipbuilding
at Hog Island. The report was sought,
| the Senator said, so the committee
could decide whether this phase of the
inve- legation should be opened
The committee abandoned its plan
to name a subcommittee to visit Hog
Island. and also temporarily abandoned
visits to the fabricated steel yards at
Bristol. Penn, and Newark, N. J.
Pending its trip to Hog Island, the
committee Will continue its general in
vcstigaton. Philip Munson, of New
York, has been called to testify
Wednesday. He will be asked to give
expert opinion on the possibilities Of
ship construction at Hog ISLAND.
Thursday the committee plans to
hear Rube Allen. who says he repre-
sents unorganized labor, and who has
been employed at the Hog land yard
Theodore E. Ferris. formerly chief
ship designer for the Emergency Fleet
Corporation, has asked permission to
testify before the Senate Commerce
Committee in connection with the
charges made by witnesses that he re-
ceived ilegitimate fees from ship
building firms having government CON
tracts.
Mr. Fcrris's resignation was accent
led soon after the charges were made