Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-03
Borglum's Testimony
Before Pressing Aviation
Probe Further, Senate Plan

The Senate military affairs commit
tee within the next few days is ex-
pected to decide whether it shs1l go
further with the investigation OF the
aircraft program, particularly with the
purpose of determining whether crimi-
nal proceedings should be begun
against any persons connected with the
program.
The question of reopening the inquiry
was discussed briefly today by the Sen
ate military committee, but members were
agreed that q decision must be postponed
until the character Of Mr.. Borglum's in
formation is determined Several of the
committee members again expressed the
view that the committee is not the prop
er tribunal TO conduct a criminal inquiry.
Charges which have recently been
published and which for some days
have been discussed in the Senate
cloakrooms reached the floor Of the
Senate yesterday and demand for an
inquiry was voiced by several senators.
including Senator King of Utah. Scna-
stor Brandegee of Connecticut. Senator
Knox of Pennsylvania. Senator Thomas
of Co1ofado and Senator New of In
diana.
:: Senator Kings Demand.
: Senator King finally announced that
If the military affairs committee de-
.cided not to go ahead with the inveSt1-
cation he would feel it his duty to
offer a resolution instructing the COM
.mittee to make the investigation.
+. Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska, rank
.fng democratic member OF the commit
40 in hn al nf fnr a NH q r.
Jain, while announcing that he was
willing to go ahead with the investiga-
ton, suggested that the Department OF
Justice was. the proper arm of the gov
:Arnnent to investigate if criminal
was to be undertaken.
Later committeeman conferred with
Gutzon Borglum. the sculptor. who
made report to the President on the
aircraft program. and it was said that
whether the committee would act de-
pended upon information to be sub
1. mitted by Mr.. Borglum within the next
: few days.
:. Senator Hitchcock. dwelling upon al
legged misleading of the public regard
/. Ing aircraft production. told the Sen
ate that the aircraft board has been
playing gigantic confidence game
on the whole country. He declared
the Liberty motor, in fact, is nothing
but the Packard motor improved, and
that the government is contemplating
paying the Packard Company between
100000 and $1,000,OO0 for its interests
Would Welcome Complaints.
Upon hearing Of the Senate discus
. sion Attorney General Gregory stated
the Department of Justice would be
glad to investigate the entire aircraft
production situation under request by
the President or Congress. He also
said the department would welcome
any complaints of specific cases of
violation of law either by extravagant
use Of government money or in con-
.nection with attempts to .obstruct the
building program and damage ma
.chines.
: While the debate in the Senate was
I'm progress Senator Wadsworth of
New York filed a report compiled by
an Investigating committee of the
Society Of America. which
charges that not more than 5 per cent
of the facilities for building aircraft
had been utilized. Without attempting
to fix responsibility for delays and I
failures. the report makes fiat charges
of ineficiency and brands as false and
misleading statements on the progress
Of the building program attributed to
Secretary Baker. -.,...-s...