Evening star., 1938-02-22
M'NUTT DEFENDS
ARMY PLANE USE
BY COL. JOHNSON
Says "Everything Was Per.
tectly Regular in Flight
to Denver.
TRANSFER OF OFFICER
ORDERED POSTPONED
Explanation by Philippines Com.
missioner May Determine War
Bureaus Decision.
RELOCATION of Col. Davenport john

RELOCATION of Col. Davenport john
son to duty at Chanute Field, ILL.,.
graveyard OF the Air Corps" ap-
parently for taking High Commissioner
Paul v. McNutt to political meeting
in = military plane. has been held up,
at least temporarily, due to the inter-
vention Of a group of Congressman.
At the same time, former Gov
McNutt. whose explanation Of the
incident to the War Department may
decide the future of the erstwhile
commander Of modern Hamilton Field,
Calf. was quoted in an Associated
Press dispatch from Bloomington, Ind.
as saying everything was perfectly
regular" in the flight.
The high commissioner said the
necessary permission for the flight
was given by military authorities.
Request by Minton.
Senator Minton, Democrat, of In
diana, said he had asked Secretary
Woodring to hold in abeyance an order
transferring Col. johnson to Chanute
Field. Senator McAdoo, Democra.
OF California. and Representative
Stefan. Democrat. OF Nebraska also
have interested themselves in the
case.
War Department officials earlier had
said Col. Johnson's transfer imme-
diately following the flight from Cali
fornia to Denver of Mr.. McNutt and
an aide was merely coincidence.
Senator Minton said he had asked
Secretary Woodring to hold up the
transfer order until Commissioner
McNutt arrives here and we can get
to the bottom of this"
Il am satisfied there is no politics
in it." Senator Minton added. If
anybody wanted to punish McNutt.
there would be no sense in taking it
out on an Army officer"
Mr. McNutt, generally regarded as
an aspirant for the Democratic NOM
ination for President. was in haste
to reach Denver for a reception.
Reception Here Tomorrow.
Another McNutt reception arranged
by Senator Minton for tomorrow
brought Gov. NJ. Clifford Townsend
and large delegation Of Indianans
to Washington today
Frank M. McHale, Indiana's Demo-
cratic national committeeman, re-
marked on his arrival:
THE time to throw in your chips
is when the cards are running
your way
Mr.. McHale declined to elaborate
this remark, which some of his listen
ers took to mean that enthusiasm for
Mr.. McNutt as a presidential candi-
date in 1910 was running high.
Senator Minton said he believed the
Army order was routine matter, Z"
although he said Col. johnson might
have been transferred for an infrac-
tion Of Army regulations.
Army officers. who did not wish to be
quoted, said they assumed Col John
son believed himself within Army reg
ulations in flying Mr.. McNutt because
the Philippine High Commissioner is
an official Of the War Department
Think johnson Stuck Neck Out"
They said, however, that this con-
tention could be disputed and he
snould. at any rate, have had formal
permission. They added that they
were disinclined to believe that politics
entered into the transfer, but thought
Col. johnson had stuck his neck out" ="
These same sources said the man
ner of Col. Johnson's transfer indi-
Gated the ofilcer was transferred be-
cause he had flown Mr.. McNutt with
out authority from above.
They said that Army orders ordi-
narily were issued considerable time
after an officer has been notified of his
transfer SO that he can make prepara-
tions to move. In Col. Johnson's case
the order was dated February l8 and
issued February 10.
Col johnson, whose permanent rank
is lieutenant colonel, was continued, III
the transfer order, in the higher tenn
porary rank of colonel.
Although Senator Minton said Sec
retary Woodring told him he knew
nothing about the circumstances sur
rounding the order, the Indiana Sen
(see JOHNSON, Page A-4.)