The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-30
Army's SO-CalIed "MiIIiOn Dol
lar Fire" Under SearchIight.
Congress Committee Hears Tes-
timOny of Alleged Waste.
LOOK INTO FRANCES BILLS
Said to Have Charged U. S. for
Digging Trenches.
Lowered Land Values; Probe
British Transportation Bill.
BY FRANK ]. TAYLOR.


New York, July 30.-A million
dollar fire" in which more than 100
airplanes in first class condition are
alleged to have been destroyed in
France, under orders of American
army officers, was the center of to-
days investigation by the congression
al subcommittee on conduct of the
war
The committee, which yesterday
delved into alleged cruelty to Ameri-
can army prisoners. abandoned that
phase of the investigation temporarily
to take up reported destruction of
army property and waste.
Occurred at -Les-BelIes?
witnesses, testifying regarding the
million dollar fire"-by which the
incident is said to be popularity re-
ferred to in some army circles-said
it occurred in Colombey-Les-Belles
last May. The hundred or more ma
chimes, including Liberty planes, Salm-
sons and Spads, were piled up and
burned, after their motors had been
destroyed, 1t was testified. The first
two witnesses were Lieut.. Paul j.
Lockwood, Stamford, Conn, of the
First pursuit squadron. and Sergt. AL
tred L. ROTar. SCTdHlln, 1db VI lhO
Fourth pursuit squadron.
Lockwood referred to the fire as
apparently useless destruction" of
planes in good condition. He said or
ders for their demolition were written
and came from officers higher up"
He didn't know their names.
Altho he did not witness the fire.
Rorar said he was ordered to detail
sixty men to do the work.
Some Used Only 90 Minucs.
Sergt Fred F. Bailey Manasquan.
n. j., testified he was in charge of a
detail of seventy-five men destroying
planes and that the work was still go
ing on when he left France in May.
He said all the planes were in. good
condition and that the records showed
! one of them had been used only twen-
ty minutes.
Bailey said guards were placed
about the "pyres" to prevent photo
graphs being taken. All his men were
curious about this destruction, he said.
| but could not ascertain why 1t was or
dered, or who ordered it.
Today's investigation was in charge
/ of Congressman Bland. Indiana. He
was assisted by Congressman Johnson,
South Dakota.
Charges q. s. For Digging Up Land.
| Bland said the committee also pro-
posed to inquire into alleged enormous
! expenditures thru destruction OF trees
| in various parts of France and for
bills presented by the French for de-
preciated land values resulting from
digging trenches. He said inquiry
/ would also be made into the British
governments charge of $50 apiece for
transporting American soldiers over
seas.
The committee was particularly
anxious to determine the identity OF
officers alleged to be responsible fol
the million dollar fire" and similar
incidents. Bland said this phase o1
the investigation resulted from Gen
eral March's request for such informa.
tion from General Pershing. The lat
ter. according to Bland, replied there
had been no useless destruction.
The committee will complete 1t.
work here in a day or two and will sal
for France August Z to continue the
investigation.