South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-08-01
PROBE AIRCRAFT
EXPENDITURES
Cummings Takes Responsible
ity for "Junket" Trip to
Pacific Coast.

WASHINGToN, Aug. Homer
s Cummings. chairman Of the dem
cratic national committee. called
before the house subcommittee in
vestigating aircraft expenditures. TO
testify under oath Thursday night
vvhv ne had permitted the publicity
bureau OF his organization 10 brand
a proposed committee trip 20 the
Pacific coast as 'junket," took fun
responsibility for the statement and
decIared It was not a circumstance
OF what would come later.
From the moment he entered the
committee room and Introduced
himself to the members demanding
an explanation, until ne went away
Mr.. Cummings continually was smil-
ing. while Chairman Frear pounded
the table with great heat and stop
ped the proceedings 10 have certain
replies stricken from the record.
with marked courtesy Mr.. Cum
n'ngs. turning 10 the chairman and
addressing him as my good fell
low" said that he knew before he
arrived that he would be unable TO
satisfy the republicans. There were
some sharp retors from Chair
man Trear. TO one or which the wit
ness, lighting a cigar from another
and still smiling. declared. MY,
wasn't that a delicate thrust"
Approves Article.
At the outset Mr. Cummings told
the committee that while he had not
cad the particular article 10 which
the republicans took offense, he
qrste approved #, except that it was
not vigorous enough. Il was during
this questioning that Chairman
Frear told the stenographer not to
permit certain statements to remain
in the record. to which the witness
replied that in court of justice he
would have more rights. What the
chairman wanted TO know especially
wcs the Basis for the charge that
the subcommittee was a smelling
committee" and that it soon was TO
start on "a "junket." Finally. after
= sharp wrangle. Mr.. Cummings said
that he understood the committee
contemplated a western trip 10 look
into spruce conditions relating TO
aviation, when all OF this had been
gone over By Charles 4. Hughes.
There have been other inquiries, p
the witness continued, and this
whole subject has been canvassed
until u is threadbare. Moreover,
the taking up a subject of this
character by a committee which I
submit Is not friendly 10 the admin
sstratiOn and not in a position to
give an unbiased opinion, is a waste
Of tifne and publiS. money. and in
ordinary political parlance a jun
ket'"
Calls Trip "Junket.''
els It fair 10 this committee when
il is ordered to make a trip 10 call IL
a junket?" Chairman Frear asked.
II think So" Mr.. Cummings re-
piled. 1T is perfect folly to spend
money on a trip Of this character
when you ought really to send public
accountants, and when there are so
many other problems. including the
high cost Of living. demanding con-
slderation."
The republican organization"
the witness went on, has INDUCED
in plenty OF SANDER directed at the
president OF the United States and
YOU should be sportsmen enough to
stand mild criticism. This is not
marker 10 what's coming"
IF you do there will be an in
vestigation by the house." the chair
man interrupted.
Fine" the witness replied. II
have quite enjoyed myself this eve
ming"
In commencing the public service