New-York tribune., 1919-10-30
Ryan Defends
Spruce Plans
La Air Inquiry
Denies All Connection With
Railroad Construction to
Obtain Wood: Reveals
Figures on Production
Praises Liberty Engines
Resents Congressman Hint
That Officer in Charge
Was Unfit for the Work

For six hours yesterday Thomas
Fortune Ryan, tinancier and director
OF aircraft production during the war,
was grilled by the Congressional sub
committee investigating the $4,000, 600
government railroad on the
olympic Peninsula, Washington, and
the S25 1000 600 spruce contract for
"hlch the railroad was built.
purins his testimony Mr.. Ryan re-
Vealed some figures on wartime pro-
ductlon- He denied all connection
with the building of the railroad. buc
assumed full esponsibility for the
spruce contract by stating, 81 assert
my responsibility and boast of it,"
At the outset Mr.. Ryan dominated
tne nearing. Immediately after enter
ing the room in the Federal Building.
where the hearing is being held. re
made emphatic protest al being called
upon TO testify IN this city. where he
was unable 70 obtain access to govern
ment files. 1T places me under a dis.
tinct diSadvantage," he said He then
showed during the course of the day
remarkable memory for dates. fig
ures and names connected with the in
VOWED proceedings. He was never at
2 loss throughout the continued BON
oardment of questions.
Calls Telegram Outrageous
Referring to the hearings held by
your subcommittee on the Coast he
SAID, and what you have had to saw
about the telegram that was sent TO
the Secretary of War by YOU. | want
to say right here that I think it was
an outrageous and scandalous abus,.
OF your Congressional privilege to
send any such telegram impugniue the
motives OF men who were doinu their
best to win the war. and make anv
such charges and statements as were
MADE n that telegram without first
NaVlng given the man who was charged
IN 1t an opportunity to answer. Go
on with your examination. gentle
men,'
This statement by Mr.. Ryan brought
the questioning by Meier Steinbrink
counsel to the subcommittee. TO the
salvage of the nineteen railroads built
at q cost Of s. 700 600. "Accordinp IN
TIE salvage estimate in the record the
sum was set at $75O.O0O. or less than
. per cent; do you think that is a fair
amcunt2 >" asked Mr. Steinbrink.
II were administering the situa-
ton there would not be any such
salvlng sale; the property is worth far
-'NiS' say IL IS = very low eSti-
mate, replied Mr.. Ryan.
At this moment Representative
Walter McGee. OF New York. inter.
posed by saying: We said in our
telegram that we would rather see /,
scrapped than go for such d figure"
Asks About Railroad
Mr.. Steinbrink then asked the wit
ness why, IN view of the salvage fig
ures, the SeimsC Carey kerbaugh Cor
poration was authorized to proceed
with the completion of the 81 600 OOC
railroad after the armistice was signed
when such completion involved severa'
thou and dollars. Mr.. Ryan replied this
action was taken after he had left the
War Department.
Il was at this point that Mr.. Ryar
produced some trures connected witt
wartime production. Great Britain
made n demand upon us for 10 600 O0(
feet of airplane lumber a month. II
arranging for this we took both Grear
Britain and France in the nature o.
partners in the deal.
The Allies had to rely upon US
Furthermore. our encines were SO muct
better and cheaper they did not van