New-York tribune., 1920-06-02
Hawley Says
He Welcomes
Fund Inquiry
Stir in Aviation Circles Over
Report That Emerson Nc.
Millin Seeks to Know
How $4,000 Was Spent
Money Collected in 1916
Treasurer of Aero Club of
America Asserts He Knows
Nothing of Special Sums

The report that an accounting Of the
National Aeroplane Fund of more than
$4,000 collected by the Aero Club of
America in 1916 had been requested by
Emerson McMilin, wealthy broker and
largest contributor TO the fund, has
caused stir in aviation circles.
Mr. McMillin refused to discuss the
situation yesterday. From an authori-
fative source, however, it was learned
Mr.. McMllin has declared that, unless
the board of governors of the club de-
mands full inquiry into the disburse-
nsnts, he will insist upon an open Of
fetal investigation.
Charles Elliot Warren, treasurer of
the Aero Club and president of the Lin
coin National Bank. where the ordinary
funds Of the club are deposited, said
Yesterday: II know absolutely nothing
Of the Natiorsl Aeroplane Fund. 1t
never was handed by the treasurer of
the club. nor deposited in .he Lincoln
National Bank. So far as I know, Alan
Z. Hawley, Henry 4. Wise Wood and
Henry Woodhouse were the trustees
for the fund"
Hawley Doubts Criticism
Mr.. Hawley. who was president of
4he Aero Club for six successive terms.
which included the war period, said
Yesterday: I'VE welcome the fullest in
vsstigation. doubt very much if Mr..
McMillin made any statement in any
way. shape or form criticising the fund
Personally, I shall be glad to so over
the books with Mr.. McMillin and lay
everything before him"
The official report made by the ex-
ecutve committee OF the Aero Club
on the National Aeroplane Fund in
cudes the audit of the fund "This
tl7lO31.17 was received direct, S147-
1922 Of which was disbursed to carry
out the purposes for which the money
was subscribed. The balance amounts
to s-3.71625 of which s20.S76.76 is
Obligated fol the $4,000 set aside for
the prizes for the National Aerial
.DsrDy, prizes for the model aeroplane
competitions. expenses for the national
aerial coast patrol commission. etc"
Derby Missed Several Years
With the exception of 1919, there
has been no competition Of the Ma
be learned yesterday. The report then
cites other sums and material sub
scribed, and continues:
This makes the total cash value
Of the contributions secured through
the efforts of the administrators of the
National Aeroplane Fund, for the up
building Of our aerial defenses and de-
veloplng our aeronautic resources.
$S7S,3sl17. The value of the re-
sources developed is hard to estimate"
The report says the contributions Of
Mr.. McMillin amounted to S33,95615.
Regarding the distribution of the fund.
the report shows that s12,19724 was
spent on postage; s12,1S0.79 on multi
graphing; Sl7,775.61 on stationery.
printing and engraving, and s5,405 II
on expenses for aeroplane demonstra-
tons and model aeroplane competi-
tons. The expenses of field officers
and salaries Of assistants, clerks and
stenographers are listed as Sl9,43216.
No Pay to Custodians
"As shown on the report Of the COM
nlttee, the report reads, the officers
OF the Aero Club Of America. who
acted as adm nistrators of the fund,
served withou. compensation"
=, The other disbursements shown in
the report include travelling expenses
OF National Guard officers trained at
eeiaerent aviation schools. sI0,445. The
largest recipient was the lst Aero Com
pany, New York National Guard. which
eyed s2l,535.74 The Militia of
Rhode Island received $500, contribu-
ted by Miss Lyra B. Nickerson; the
National Guard OF New Mexico. an air
plane costing $500, and .he states of
massachusetts,, California and New
Jersey received between $4,000 and ST.
eo Several other states received from
*Z0U0 down each, according to the re-
por..
among the contributors was Vincent
Astor, who raised $4,000: John D
sE.ocseeeller, Z. $1,000. and ". Earl Dodge,