Evening star., 1947-08-06
Hughes Arrives to Face Inquiry
Meyer Says Plane Firm Paid Bills
For Rooseve|ts Successor in AAF
Millionaire Eager
ToCross-Exumine
Brewster on 'Offer'
BULLETIN

USILC I'm
The subcommittee investi-
eating Howard Hughes war
time plane contracts recessed
at noon today until 2 pm,
when Mr.. Hughes will take the
stand. Senator Brewster, in
formed that Mr.. Hughes had
said this morning he would be
glad to repeat statements he
has made about Mr.. Brewster
If he could cross-examine the
Senator, replied: II am a great
believer in reciprocity"
Howard Hughes, Millionaire
aircraft builder, flyer and film
producer, arrived in Washing
ton today saying he is ready to
face Senators investigating his
wartime plane contracts, but his
appearance before the Senate
War Investigating Subcommit-
tee was delayed until this after
noon.
Meanwhile, John w. Meyer, Mr..
Hughes publicity man, was recalled
to the witness stand and told in
vestigators that Mr.. Hughes air.
craft company paid bills for war
time entertainment of Col. James
G. Hall, who succeeded Elliott
Roosevelt as head of the Army Air
Forces Reconnaissance Division.
Mr.. Hughes said he not only is
ready to testify, but is eager to
cross-examine Chairman Brewster
of the full Senate War Investigat-
ing Committee. A subcommittee is
conducting the investigation of the
S40,000,000 in contracts Mr.. Hughes
IVES awarded by the Government
to produce 200-ton cargo-carrying
flying boat and three photo-recon-
naissance planes.
Mr.. Hughes has charged Senator
Brewster offered to call off the cur
rent investigation If Mr.. Hughes
agreed to merge Trans World Air
lines, which he controls, with Pan
American Always. Senator Brew
ster has denied the charge, which
he described as an accusation of
"blackmail," to the Justice Depart
ment.
Mr.. Hughes was in a chatty mood
this morning despite the WEAKNESS
of flying mis- converted B-23 bomber
on a 13-hour one-stop dash from
Culver City. Calf.
Biggest Crowd Disappointed.
The biggest crowd to turn out yet
for the investigation was disap-
pointed when it was announced this
morning that Mr.. Hughes would not
be called until this afternoon.
Chairman Ferguson of the sub
committee called Thomas Slack, Mr..
Hughes attorney, to the stand and
asked, "Is Mr.. Hughes here?"
"Yes," Mr.. Slack replied, "Mr.
Hughes is here and ready and anx-
ious to testify whenever it suits
the convenience of the committee. ;"
Mr.. Slack then explained Mr..
Hughes was at hotel and would
remain there until shortly before
the committee was ready to hear
him.
Senator Ferguson agreed to post
pone the Hollywood millionaire's
appearance until this afternoon and
recalled Mr.. Meyer.
Will Be Happy to Repeat Charge.
Il will be most happy to repeat
everything have said about Sen
ator Brewster if he will allow me to
cross-examine him and call such
witnesses as I wish" Mr.. Hughes
said, as he stepped from his plane
at TAI am.
He refused to comment Oh testi-
mony of Mr.. Roosevelt, which
was completed yesterday, that a.
prenuptial wedding party and other
expenses totaling s57685 for Mr..
Roosevelt and Miss Faye Emerson
in December, 1914, in California
were paid "as wedding present" by
Mr.. Hughes.
Il haven't read Mr.. Roosevelt's
testimony and I don't want to COM
ment on any of it yet" he said.
He gave a similar reply when
asked about Mr.. Meyers testimony
OF outlays charged to the Hughes
Aircraft Co. for lavish parties and
other entertainment repeatedly in
Volvlng Mr.. Roosevelt and others
during the war years.
Third Photo Plane Is Flying.
Mr.. Hughes talked about the
progress of the controversial Fill
reconnaissance plane which Mr..
Roosevelt, while in the air force,
recommended for Government use.
THE third plane is flying" he
reported. ut is in process of tests.
I have been flying it myself"
The first of the reconnaissance
planes was prototype and the Sec
ond cracked up last year, with seri-
GUS injury to Mr.. Hughes, who was
at the controls.
Mr.. Hughes said the trip from
Culver City last night was 20. K."I
The only stop was at Tulsa, shortly
after midnight. Mr.. Hughes ap-
peared to be slightly deafened after
the long flight, but showed no un-