Evening star., 1930-09-26
Indy BUST FUND
DONORS WARNED
Better Business Bureau Asks
Investigation of Testi-
moniaI Move.

The Better Business Bureau of WASH
ington has advised its members not to
contribute funds to what is known as
the Lindbergh Testimonial Committee
before investigating the purpose and
foundation for these contributions, Louis
Rothschild, director, announced today.
Investigation by the bureau, it was
reported at the bureau, disclosed that
the Lindbergh Testimonial Committee,
with John w. Cunningham of Suite
800, the woodward Building, as its ex-
ecuttve secretary, sent out a circular
letter to number of prominent Wash
ingtonians, cordially inviting them to
serve as a member of the Executive
Committee at the presentation by this
organization of a life-size bronze bust
of Col. Charles A. Lindbergh to the
Smithsonian Institution of Washing
ton at date to be announced later"
The investigation, it was added, dis
closed that the name of Senator Claude
A. Swanson Of Virginia. Smithsonian
regent, was used In the letter, men,
tioning him schairman of the COM
mittee which would make the presen-
tation to the institution. At the office
of Senator Swanson it was learned the
Senator had ordered his name with
drawn entirely from the affair.
Taken Up With Abbott.
The matter was submitted to him, 1t
was said, and he in turn took it up
with DR.. Charles G. Abbott, secretary
of the Smithsonian.
Dr. Abbott said he had not COM
municated with Cunningham and had
written to Senator Swanson that he
knew nothing of the project.
IF af1nh ti0vn rarM ylIoy1Y1aI
DR.. Abbott, said, the proper procedure
would be first to obtain the consent of
Col. Lindbergh, and he said that as far
as he knew Col. Lindbergh was igno-
rant of the project.
The circular letter, carrying Cum
ninghamS name and address, read in
part:
AN invitation to participate in this
event is being extended to a limited
number of prominent citizens, whom
the sponsors of this project are asking
to make a contribution to defray the
cost of the undertaking, which cost
will amount to approximately $4,000,
to be pro-rateG among rs to 80 men,
bers of the Executive Committee. An
appropriate inscription will be inscribed
upon q plate which will be aff1xed to
the bust, commemorating the date and
the occasion.
Plans for Big EventS
"The committee plans to have the
presentation ceremony attended by
notables from every walk of life and
to make 1t an outstanding event Of
the year. Your presence and hearty
cooperation are respectfully and ur-
gently requested in order to make this
undertaking a memorable occasion, one
appropriate and fitting to the character
and attainments of the person whose
likeness will be presented to the in
stitution now possessing the airplane
in which he few to glory"
Cunningham, q man OF about 45
years, asserted today that he had been
misrepresented and that publication OF
correspondence, which he intended to
bring about, would clear the mat
ter up"
Cunningham said he had a quantity
of correspondence from Senator Swan
son, including letters quoting DR.. ABB
bott, all of which would prove that the
project was in good taste. The re-
SponSe from persons to whom letters
had been sent was most favorable" he
said He added that contributions had
been received, but declined to name the
amount.
Cunningham said that the basis of
his idea for a Lindbergh memorial was
a novel camera, which photographs
with such faithfulness that it is easy
for a sculptor to make bust or statue
from the photograph. The Lindbergh
bust, he said, was fashioned by Chi
cago man.