Bisbee daily review., 1919-01-17
WAR BOARD FREES
 COLONEL OF BLAME.

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 ter was written had made an informal gift of stock; (2) he had instructed Judge McCann (nis attorneyl to ar range promptly the necessary trans fer; (3) the actual transfer was de layed because of Colonel Deeds ab- sence from Dayton, necessitated by
 his continuous and unremitting labor for the government at Washington; (4) the formal transfer was subse- quently made so (5) there was total absence of intent to deceive"
 The board also held that upon the evidence now before this office it is of the opinion that court martial pro- ceedings against Colonel Deeds, based upon his statement regarding his stock in the Domestic Building com pany should not be instituted, because CD at the time statement was made, an arrangement had been made for the sale of this stock at its book value; @ it took time to ascertain the book value and close the details Of the transactions; t3) it was the bona fide intention of Colonel Deeds to make the formel transfer, and he had given instructions to have this done; (4) the reason why it was not done was that through a legitimate change of plan, the occasion for the transfer was obviated and both parties to the contemplated transfer were willing that the agreement for trans fer should be cancelled; (5) the whole proceeding was conducted in good faith and under the advice of coun- sel"
 Unjust Criticism
 Regarding the charge that Colonel Deeds sent confidential war depart ment information to former business associates, the board said that from Colonel Deeds explanation it appears that while Colonel Deeds real endeav- or was to aid the government ill ex- peditiag it's program of aircraft pro- ductiOn. through some mistaken mo- ticn he deemed it proper to sccomp- fish that object by a species of deceit which would result il cOncealment of the source of the information which the telegram conveyed. This was not only foolish, but provocative of the se- we're criticism which has been visited upon him and in a manner unjustly."
 Upon the evidence now before this office, however" said the board, court martial proceedings against Colonel Deeds, based upon this trans action. are not advised (1D, no fraud against the government, nor disclO- sure of confidential information was intended; @, none was accomplish ed; (3), the purpose of the telegram was to expedite the earnest efforts which the government officials were making to speed up air plane produc- tion"
 As to the charge that Colonel Deeds made misleading statements about ar craft shipments, the board said:
 Tt Is recommended that no court martial proceedings be instituted against Colonel1 Deeds based upon this publication because: CD. it is doubtful whether he ever saw the paragraph which has been adversely criticized; and (2), the statements contained in It are in accord with what Colonel Deeds apparently be- lieved and had reasonable cause to be- lieye 10 be the facts"
 No Fraud Intended
 Regarding charges of irregularity in the approval by Colonel Deeds of two out of four vouchers for the Packard Motor Car company. the four vouchers aggTegaiing S249.15910. it was recom- mended that court martial proceedings should not be instituted because; "D. the approval Of the voucher in ques- tion did not involve any attempt to defraud the government; t2). as found by Judge Hughes. it did not defraud the government; (3). the verbal agree