New-York tribune., 1920-06-08
Aero Officials
Summoned i'm
Fund Inquiry
Assistant District Attor-
ney Subpenas Heads of
Club; Says the Investiga-
ton Will Be Exhaustive
Books Also Demanded
Lawyer Asserts Henry Wood
house, a Trustee, Is the
Object of Covert Attacks

Edwin P. Kilroe, Assistant District
Attorney, announced yesterday that a
complete investigation would be made
into the collection and disbursement of
the $378381.17 National Aeroplane Fund
collected by the Aero Club Of America
in 1916, more than 80 per cent of
which, it isalleged, was used for ex-
penscs.
Three developments marked the
| progress of the investigation yester-
day. Mr.. Kilroe issued subpenas re-
questng the appearance at his office
this morning of Colonel Jefferson De
Mont Thompson, president; Augustus
Post, secretary, and Charles Elliott
warren, treasurer of the club. The
books showing the collection and dis
bursement of the funds of the Aero
Club of America, the National Aero
plane Fund, the Aerial League of Amer
lea and the Air Service Institute were
also subpenaed
Bernard H. Sander. member Of the
legal committee of the Aero Club of
America, said he probably would ad-
wise the three trustees of the National
Aeroplane Fund (Henry Woodhouse,
Alan R. Hawley and Henry A. Wise
Wood) to ignore the subpoena which
requested their appearance yesterday
S. Stanwood Menken, attorney for the
three men, informed Mr.. Kilroe later,
however, that the trustees would ap-
pear to-day.
Looming Asks Thorough Probe
During the day John NJ Mnton, for
lner Assistant District Attorney, ap-
peared before Mr.. Kilroe and said he
who wished to cooperate with the Dis
trict Attorney in the investigation.
After the conference Minton said his
client was Grover c. Looming, promi
nent airplane manufacturer and in
ventor. Mr.. Looming was suspended
from the Aero Club Of America some
time ago when he made inquiries into
the National Aeroplane Fund, and was
reins stated only when he threatened to
bring legal proceedings against the
officers of the club.
| Minton said his client was not press
ing any complaint, but since his eus-
pension from the club had been men
toned in an evening newspaper in
connection with the fund, he wished
to be represented at the investigation
by counsel. He also said his client
had expressed the opinion that the
present publicity over the National
Aeroplane Fund was hurting American
aeronautics in general and, therefore,
he desired to see the fund investigated
so thoroughly that there could be no
doubts entertained about it or it's ad-
ministration.
Colonel Thompson was only recently
elected president of the Aero Club of
America. Charles Elliott Warren, the
treasurer has already stated that the
money collected for the National Aero
plane Fund did not pass through the
hands Of the club treasurer
Says Woodhouse Is Assailed
In his statement, Sander said:
What is really behind this invessiga-
tion, anyway? 1t may be very inter
esting, if that is ever brought out.
Thus far it looks like an attempt to
besmirch Henry Woodhouse, who was
unfortunate enough to be convicted of
a crime, but who has been leading an
honest life and making good for many
years past.
Henry Woodhouse seems to be the
object OF these covert attacks. Why
do not the men who ask for an in
vestigation come out into the open
light of day and do it? Woodhouse
has lot of information about those
who have grated millions of dollars
from the United States Government"
When asked who these men were Mr..
Sander said: "Ask Henry Woodhouse
about it," Mr.. Woodhouse could not
be reached.
Mr.: Kilroe said the investigation
would be complete and exhaustive ir-
respective Of any action the officers of
the club might take. He said he did
not believe the trustees of tho fund
would ignore the subpoena to appear
before him.
Emerson McMillin, banker, of 12o
broadway, who agreed to subscribed
sloo tor every 5000 raised by the
trustees Of the fund, wrote to Wood
house two or three times, questioning
the amounts said to have been collect,
ed TOR the fund Under the agreement.
Mr.. McMillin contributed s33,956.16.
Hirshfield Says Critics