The New York herald., 1921-01-13
MRS. HINTON TAKES
BLAME FOR FIGHT
Letters Made Public on My
Responsibility Says Lieu
tenants Wife.
AGAINST HIS ADVICE
Gave Them Out Because of
Great Public Demand
She Asserts.
HIS ADVICE

Mrs Addie Hinton, wife OF Lieut..
Walter Hinton, took upon herself last
night the entire blame for the fistic
encounter and consequent bitter feel
Stephen Farrell due to the publication
of letters which Lieut.. Hinton wrote
TO her and Lieut.. Peter Talbot.
In his letters, Lieut.. Hinton said
suicide so that the progress of the
party might not be hindered by his
slow movement.
1T was entirely upon my RESPONSE
lic," Mrs. Hinton said. "My husband
at the time permitted the publication
of his story was on the way from
Moose Factory to Mattice and natu-
rally knew nothing about his letters
being given out.
They were not written with any idea
that they were for the general public.
They were for us alone. In fact there
was a paragraph at the end 70 Mr.. Hin
give any information to the press.
Il wouldn't have done so in the ordi-
nary course OF affairs. but ] received
special permission from the Navy De-
partment TO release the news that my
husband sent, because the whole coun-
try was eager TO hear from the missing
men. And on that account l allowed
the World to print the letters.
Il would like to make particularly
clear the fact that there was no
thought in my mind that the letters
would reflect or the courage or the abil-
ity Of Lieut.. Farrell Quite the CON-
trary. Indeed, when l read my hus-
bands remarks ABOUT Mr.. Farrell j at
once declared. and so did such friends
who read the letter. that l. cut. Farrell
was a true hero; and we all said that we
thought he was the bravest man OF the
party, since he offered to sacrifice him.
self so the others might proceed faster
1T was unfortunate that there should
have hsen any difference between the
two men, who were good friends, and
was rejoiced to hear tonight through
the press that they had shaken hands
and called off the trouble. / hope they
get back home with the same feelings
they had when they sailed away.
whatever blame is ia be given for
the episode / wish to accept My hus-
band had nothing to do with the affair
al all and he had no means OF knowing
what l did with his letters. Again. l
would like to say i gave them out only
because there was such great public
demand for information about the men
who had been rescued after their great
adventure"
The statement from Mrs. Hinton was
made public through the same sources
by which her husbands letters were
published. Inquirers at her home last
night were told by Lieut.. Talbot. who
lives in the same house. that Mrs Hin
ton was "in New York" He refused to
state just where. but said she was in
place from which he expected she might
telephone him during the evening.
The first official word that formal
inquiry into the Incidents OF the dis
astrous balloon trip IL expected to fol-
low the arrival OF the three lieutenants
at Rockaway was obtained last night
from Capt Damon F. Cummings. COM
mandant Of the naval AIR station there.
In the first interview obtained from him
since the balloon was lost" Capt. Cum
mings explained a number of the ques-
tions that have been raised in Congress
ard IN the public mind since the expert
ences Of the l,eutenants became topic
OF common talk.
Asked II the fight wss an ofricial one
or a 10y ride" Capt Cummings de-
cared he signed the orders permitting
It four or FIVE days before the start was
made. 1t was not to make any endur-
ance record. he explained, but was an
ordinary almost routine trip for train
ing and practice in free balloon!ng.
Asked why IL was made at season
when severe storms occur frequently
he said winter is the best time for such
flights, because breezes are strongest
then.
The men were not better provisioned'
he said. because they did not expect to
be carried SO far. Asked why they ala
not land when they had an opportunity
20 do so before being carried so far,
Capt. Cummings said the matter or
landing n balloon Is entirely up to .he
discretion Of the pilot-Lieut. kloor-
and that he might not have thought II
advisable to make a landing sooner
than he did. Whether he acted wisely
or not is something that VIII have TO
be Investigated. he said.