New-York tribune., 1919-01-17
Deeds Exonerated
From All Blame
I'm Aircraft Case
Baker Adds Approval of
Findings and Declares the
Accused Official Was a
Victim of Appearances
New YORK; Tribune
XQsItn0tO1a Burcnu

NeW York Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-Colonel Ed
ward A. Deeds, of the Signal Corps,
who has long been under the cloud of a
possible court martial in consequence
OF Judge Hughes's aircraft investiga
ton report received to-day full and
/ complete eXoneration and vindcation
at the hands of S. T. Ansell, acting
Judge advocate general of the army,
and Secretary Baker
"A court of review after examining
Judge Hughes's report and making an
investigation of its own, reported "the
+ conclusion of this office is, therefore,
Colonel Edward A. Deeds should not be
tried by court martial on account of
any OF the transactions discussed in
this memorandum"
The justice Of the conclusion thus
reached by this Office" the report con-
tlnues, finds confirmation in the fol-
lowing language taken from letter
from the Hon. John D. Ryan, 'Direc-
tor of the Air Service. addressed to the
Secretary of War under date of Novem-
ber 13, 1918:
Il feel, as | stated in a former let
ter to you, that Colonel Deeds per-
formed a great service in expediting
the work on the Liberty motor. If
ne had followed strict regulations
and kept within them in the ex->
pendlture of money for the produc
al no Of
gines we would probably not have
had any quantity production yet. I
leel that the patriotic service rem
dered to the government. and the
sacrlnce made N connection there
with by Colonel Deeds, outweighed
any technical violations that might
( have occurred, and considering the
CONDITIONS under which this work
mad to be done, f the aircraft was
TO take any part in the war within
reasonable time, think commenda-
,ioh instead of court martial should
be Colonel Deeds reward"
Baker Adds Approval
In order to give Colonel Deeds the
fullest possible benefit of his vindica-
ilon, Secretary Baker has sent the find
lngs OF the court of review to Chair
man Dent, of the House Military AZ.
faIrs Committee, with the following let
ter OF transmittal in which he adds his
personal concurrence to the findings
of the court:
Upon the submission to the Presi-
dent of the report of Hon. Charles
r. hughes and the report of the
attorney General covering the air
craft investigation | directed that
the specihc recommendations con-
hoca
Tor my consideration and for such
action by me as might be required
IN the premises. These extracts
were referred to the Judge Advocate
General of the Army, directing a
thorough and comprehensive inquiry
INTO allegations affecting the con-
duct Of Colonel Deeds. He was d. .
rected not only to review all evil
dence taken by Judge Hughes, which
the Attorney General kindly made
available, but to secure all other
facts obtainable in this case.
"The Judge Advocate General sub
mittcd the matter to board of re-
view consisting Of officers of high
ability and character wholly disso-
cIated from any previous business
or personal relations either with
Colonel Deeds or with any matters
affecting aircraft productions This
poard carefully and systematically
examined all Of this evidence and
obtained all possible additional facts
and its conclusions are, therefore,
} based upon fuller inquiry than was
4 found possible within the time and
opportunities at the disposal Of
Judge Hughes, and this examination
IS in effect the accomplishment of
the thorough inquiry which Judge
| Hughes had in mind when he sug-
gested that these transactions be
examined by n court martial. The
purpose Of Judge Hughes's sugges-
tion is therefore accomplished.
! Deeds's Neglect Excused
This record undoubtedly shows
that Colonel Deeds, absorbed in The
activities Of aircraft production,
I neglected to give his personal attcn-
ton to transact,ionssx affecting his
personal financial affairs, and this
neglect on his part gave risesto ap-
pcaranccs which required painstak-
ing investigation In order to show
their true character.
",The unanimous report of this
/ board OF review, approved by the
Acting Judge Advocate General, rec
ommendg that Colonel Deeds be not
tried by court.martia on any Of the
| grounds suggested, and this recon-
mcndation has been approved by me.
"CoIonel Deeds was one Of large
group Of men who came to Washing
ton at great personal and pecuniary
sacrifice to render service TO the gov
! crnment in the great emergency
caused by our participation In the
! war.
| my duty IN Secretary Of War with
y ~nna I'd Nm arU pxshIfr onrua, ,,t vu4ax