The sun., 1919-10-30
RYAN ANSWERS
GRAFT CHARGES;
SREVEALS FACTS
Explains Administration OF
B Aero and Spruce Produc-
H tiOn Boards.
REFUTES INSINUATI0NS
Cites New Figures on Plane
Building; Defends Col.
Disque.

John d. Ryan, in five hours testi-
flying yesterday before the Congress
ional subcommittee investigating air
plane graft, not only presented a thor
ough defense of his administration,
but made public for the first time
production statistics Of startling sig
nificance in showing AMERICAS devel-
cpment of an air service programme.
The former Assistant Secretary OF
War. who was in complete control OF
the country's aviation preparation, be-
gan his testimony at the Federal
Building by rebuking the committee
for Outrageous and scandalous abuse
of Congressional privilege" in i'm
pugning the motives of his associates
nhd himself and in making charges
publicly without hearing the admin
istration's explanation.
{ "I asked for a hearing in Washington
because all the files relating to my work
are in washington" Mr. Ryan told the
committee at the outset. AT the sign
Ing Of the armlstlce resigned my posi-
ton as director OF the air service and
walked out of my office with nothing but
my hat. What carry under my hat
/ will be glad to give YOU. But It was
only fair to me, thought, to have this
inquiry where I could have access to the
fles in case had to refresh my memory.
] still think 1t was unfair to call me
where my files are not available. I am
at a distinct disadvantage.
y NOW referring to the hearings held
by your subcommittee on the Pacific
coast and what YOU had to say in the
telegram sent to the Secretary of War
hN. u ht.,lr Ne
was an outrageous and scandalous abuse
OF your Congressional privilege to send
any such a telegram inpugning the mo-
tives of men who were doing their best
10 win the war. and make any such
charges and statements without first
Having given the accused men an oppor-
tunity to answer"
Cites Bakers Telegram.
Mr.. Ryan's reference was to a tele-
gram In which the subcommittee en-
bodied the gist Of their accusations to
the effect that Mr.. Ryan had used his
position to advance the interests OF the
Chicago, Milwaukee and ST. Paul Rail-
road. of which he is a director. and had
been instrumental in negotiations lead
ing to the construction of the 1000. 900
railroad in Washington, a railroad that
the investigators allege cost more than
double the amount needed to build a
more direct route tapping the northwest
spruce reserves
In support of his denial Of the charges
Mr.. Ryan read into the record a tele-
gram that Secretary of War Baker sent
IN reply to the accusatory one. The
secretary Of Wars reply .said the com
snittee's statements had been fully in
yestigated before and "are wholly un-
imported by the, factS'., > .rt-.. q,
zS"In addition to this continued Mr..
Han grave intimations and accuss
TONS are made against persons of ,the
highest reputation whose services to ethe
country have been patriotic and upright
I cannot In detail cover the manifold
errors In your messages. I only hope
that your committee will afford a COM
piete. and adequate opportunity for
Presentation OF all the facts. Frankness
leads me to express deep regret that
the committee. not having heard all the
evidence. Is making its suspicious a basis
OF widespread and unjust publicity"
Expressing the opinion that "a lot of
soreheads who failed to get contracts
have rushed in with lot OF testi-
fnony." Mr.. Ryan then submitted to the
questioning OF Meier Steinbrink, attor-
pey for the committee. His first reply
was to deny that he had any direct
connection with the negotiations TO
reach the timberlands of spruce. by
Government railroad.
Denies Rail Connection.
1T told Mr.. Baker that could not
undertake these negotiations In view Of
my connection with the Milwaukee. Sec
retary Baker assigned Assistant Secre-
tary Stettinius to this undertaking. I
had not even heard Of the project until
taNx
tion Board. nor had lever discussed the
building Of a railroad or the contract
for the spruce"
Mr. Stettinius made the arrange
fnents. Mr.. Ryan continued, and as for
himself he was In Europe during most OF
the period when the project was carried
out. Col B. p. Disque. later a Briga-
dier-General, was in direct charge of
the spruce division and of the contracts,
he said, and was appointed prior to Mr.
Ryan's assumption of duties "I don't
know who selected Disque," he said, but
whoever did. did a good job"
AS to the alleged excessive cost of
the road Mr.. Ryan said II was unfair to
say II cost s4.ooo,ooo for thirty-eight
miles because that cost included every
item, such as terminals, sldetracks, &c.
Just after the controversy arose and
charges were made that the $4,000, 900
Ahc "aS puilt primarily TOT tne MllWau-
kee Mr.. Ryan said he asked President
Byram of the Milwaukee road about It
and that Mr.. Byram declared the Mil
waukee did not want that road and had
never wanted such a road The MIL
waukee preferred a far different line
tapping their larger holdings" he pointed
out. "and the $4,000 900 line, while
skirting small holdings OF the Milwau-
kee, did not reach the larger tracts.
K "Col. Disque ordered the road built
over the protest OF Mr.. Byram. Disque's
decision was based on his belief that II
was more feasible to follow the route OF
thirty-eight miles because IL could be
built more easily faster and without the
same risk from the summer rains. The
Milwaukee owns ten times as much
spruce on the line II wanted built as on
the line that Disque ordered"
The Congressional committee men
produced a map which purported 10
snow and did show large Milwaukee