The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-05-18
AIRCRAFT INQUIRY
MAY Be IN SECRET
HUGHES ON JOB
Former Justice Arrives
In Washington to | axe
Up His Task.
TRUCE IN SENATE
Effort Is Begun to Get
Support Of Commit
tee Probe Of War
Management.
TRUCE IN SENATE

Washington, May I7.--Former Jus
tice Charles f, Hughes arrived here
tonight 20 take charge Of the depart
merit Of justice investigation into
the aircraft charges. He went al once
to his hotel. and denied himself to re-
portars. Through his secretary, he
explained that he could have nothing
TO say until after his conference to-
morrow with Attorney General Greg
ory
He will he assigned to offices in the
d partment Of justice and wiz select
his own ASSISTANTS, 1t Is understood
that Assistant Attorney General Frier-
son, Who has already made a study Of
the Borglum reports and the findings
of the Snowden Marshall committee
will be one of his principal aides,
One OF the first questions which
Judge Hughes called upon TO decide
ia whether the investigation and eS-
animation of witnesses shah be con-
Quoted in secret or in the open. II -
ensraliy believed that on account of
the hints of criminality in the expen-
ditures OF government appropriations
Judge Hughes will favor secret in
sestig ration
There was tenn porary truce today
in the senatorial night over the Cham
beriain resolution for a concurrent in
mittee. Action upon the resolution and
upon the report OF the minority mem
hers OF Senator Thompson's committee
on contingent expenses have gone over
until Monday. Senator Thorn pson pre-
scented the minority report of the com =
mlttee IN the senate today, and il was
received without comment.
So
m erbers of the military affairs COM
mittee this afternoon to convince ad =
ministration senators that they are
wrong in accepting the conclusion of
the president that passage of the reso-
luton providing for continuance OF
the investigation would be a reflection
on the admin istration. In this move
strengthened by the newest declaration
of the president which was made on
the train carrying him TO New York.
The president authorized Secretary
Tumulty TO announce thar he is not
opposed 10 further investigation by
the military affairs. but does object to
the covert purpose" of the Cha IN Der =
lain resolution. He deciared further
that this purpose was well under
stood
Supporters of the amherlain reso =
luton were IN conference throughout
the day with a large number of the ad
minstration senators, seeking TO show
them that the resolution did not con
template any interference with the
presidents management OF the war.
Senator Thompson. who was spokes
man Of the president in the demand to
have the resolution modified as not
TO EN- brace a general inquiry into the
conduct Of the war was closeted with
Senator Hitchcock, vice-cha irman Of
the committee. and obtained from the
latter an entirely different view OF
the resolution than that obtained IN
the minority report
1t is said the explanation of the
resolution. together with the new an
nouncement from the president, have
brought better understanding of the
purpose OF the resolution, Prediction
was made by supporters Of the resolu-
ton that the night against IL will be
less bitter than was anticipated.