Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-04-05
INTEREST IN QUIZ
COST HIM POSITION.
LAWYER DECLARES
War Department Official ADJ
mitS Taking Aircraft Fraud
Papers From Witness in
Daugherty Inquiry H..ss...s

WASHINGTON, April 3.-The
Daugherty investigating COMMITTEES
pursued it's aircraft inquiry into the
war department today with the re-
suit that Secretary Weeks was sub
poenaed to appear on the witness
stand tomorrow morning.
The summons directed the secre-
tary to bring with him certain pa
pers relating to aircraft frauds,
taken from the desk and brief case
of Thomas +. Lane, who was sus-
pended from the air service a day
or two ago after refusing to comply
with a request of his superior officer
that he "stay away from the com.
mittee.
Lane, who was legal adviser to
Major General Patrick, chief OF the
air service, testified today that the
advice against appearance before
the committee was given him by
Captain w. f. Volandt, who he said
also took possession cf his records
in the aircraft cases.
Volandt followed him on the wit
ness stand and conceded that Lane
had been advised by him not to go
before the committee, and that GER
tain ''official records" in Lanes pos
session had been taken away and
turned over to Secretary Weeks.
He denied Lanes statement that the
papers included private documents,
and he insisted that Lane had been
suspended only because of absence
from duty at the war department.
and because the special duties which
led to his appointment had about
been concluded.
Haste Motive Questioned
Secretary Weeks, Volandt said.
had instructed him to notify the
committee that if it wished to get
the papers it must subpoena the
secretary himself. That the commits
tee did at once, directing him to be
present at 10 a. m. tomorrow, when
Volandt is to again take the stand
to complete his testimony.
One Of the reasons why the papers
in Lanes possessions were taken
away from him, Volandt told the
committee, was to rush two air.
craft cases to the department OF
Justice for action. Committee mem
bers pressed the witness with ques-
tions designed to couple tins war de-
partment's haste in these cases with
the committee inquiry, but he IN
sisted there was no connection.
Lane told the Daugherty COM
mittee he had been ordered by
Captain volandt of the air serv-
ice," to "stay away" from the COM
mittee and the capitol. When ne
refused to be dictated to, he said, he
was dismissed" from the air service.
On motion of Senator Jones, Re-
publican, Washington, the commit
tee directed Chairman Brookhart TO
notify Secretary Weeks at once OF
Lanes testimony.
The witness also declared that pa
pers from his own personal files IN
connection with aircraft cases had
been taken from his brief case by
Captain Volandt.
Official Ordered SunmOnded
AS legal advisor to the air serv-
ice, Lane said, he had recommended
to the secretary of war that the gov
eminent cases against the Standard
Aircraft corporation and other con-
tractors who supplied war materials
be reopened. He declared he felt
there was. some Interior purpose"
behind his dismissal, and that he
had been shocked and panied" be-
cause, he had trusted in Captain
Volandt.
The committee decided to call Vo-
landt and direct him to bring with
him papers taken from Lane. Sena-
tor Ashurst suggested that Volandt
be attached" if he did not appear
SOON"
These papers, Lane said, included
his only copy Of the report to Secre-
tary Weeks.
II presume was dismissed" he
said. II don't know what my status
is. Yesterday I found my private
files emptied. and all the papers
taken from the desk where l have
worked for five years."
His files, the witness said, were
extra copies" of all papers that had
gone through his hands in follow
ing up $50,000,000 worth OF war
claims, which / kept as matter OF
personal pride"
Settlement Cost $4,000, 900
AS far back as 1919, Lane said, he
had become convinced that the SIT
uation regarding aircraft construc-
ton "was bad" The Lincoln Motor
case was the first he dealt with
which he thought was bad" he
said. 1t was settled" for $1,000,000.
he added, while the government
claim was more than 100000.
The war department refused to
accept the settlement in the Lin
coin case recommended by Attorney
General Daugherty, Lane said, but
they went ahead and settled any
how
Senator Wheeler, the committee
prosecutor, brought out that Lane
had not volunteered to testify, but
had appeared only when sent for.
II hadn't sought the limelight."
he said, II had thought that what
is going on at the war department
would GENE out"
Il don't believe the secretary Of
war will indorse any action of this
kind" commented Senator Jones.
II wasn't even given written
Lane continued, and told
Captain Volandt that / was shock
ed and panied. and that it looked to
me as though some Interior motive
was behind the actor
Senator Wheeler directed Lane TO
tell in detail of the Standard Air
craft case.
II became convinced when I first
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