Evening star., 1947-08-10
Hughes Charges Army's Dislike
Of Him Barred Faster Planes;
Brewster Is Assoi|ed by Fulton
May Leave Country
If Flying Boot Fails,
Builder Asserts
By ]. A. O'Leov

Howard Hughes, millionaire
plane and film producer, told the
Senate War Investigating Sub
committee yesterday he was pre-
vented from getting contracts to
build faster planes than any the
armed forces had because Army
officers disliked him.
AS the most spectacular series of
Senate hearings in many years
drew toward a close, the leading
man. Mr.. Hughes, also testified
that:
He had been told one of the rea-
sons Army officers did not like him
was because he did not extend
hospitality and cordiality to officers
as did other manufacturers"
He put his sweat and reputation"
into the big Kaiser Hughes flying
boat and that if "its a failure I'll
probably leave this country and
never come back"
No Fraud Seen in Getting Job.
He knows of no fraud or corrup-
ton" on any ones part in obtaining
the contract for the 200-ton flying
boat
After the hearings close, sometime
this week, the Ferguson subcommit-
tee will take all of the testimony
under advisement and report later
in the year to the full Senate War
Investigating Committee.
Chairman Ferguson told reporters
he Would not comment now on the
testimony.
If it was President Roosevelt who
ordered the big flying boat complet-
ed in 1914, after $13,500,0oO had been
spent on it, mo one has shown me
any proof that he acted insincerely,"
Mfr. Hughes testified.
They thought I was a rich man
who was stuck up and considered
myself too good for them, as sitting
out in my bailiwick in Hollywood
and never coming to Wright Field
said Mr. Hughes, referring to the
Army officers.
Started in Mid-War.
Mr.. Hughes finally was put to work
In the middle of the war on the big
flying boat originally conceived by
Henry Kaiser. and on a new-type
photo-reconnaissance plane for the
Army that was recommended in
1943 by the then Col. Elliott Roose-
velt
The subcommittee set out two
weeks ago to find out what the Gov
ernment got out of these two con-
tracts for a $40,0O0000 outlay, 1t |
found itself enmeshed in a series of
sensational episodes which all but
submerged the main issue of the
contracts.
These side shows, which drew
unprecedented crowds to the big
marble Senate caucus room and
kept newspaper, radio and newsreel
channels overfowing with new dis
closures, included the expense ac-
counts of John w. Meyer, Hughes
public relations man, which listed
entertainment for Army officers and
others. and the personal feud be-
tween Senator Brewster. Republican.
OF Maine. and Mr. Hughes.
Col. Roosevelt Headed Mission.
Col. Roosevelt headed an Army
mission sent to the West Coast in
August, l943. to inspect Mr. Hughes
photo-reconnaissance plane after
other Army officials had turned it
down.
Chairman Ferguson wanted to
RnNur if m thof fiy,,o tnn
organization had extended any en-
tertainment to Army or Navy
officials. 1t was then that Mr..
Hughes told of having heard that
his failure to extend hospitality
was one of the reasons Air Corps
officials did not like him.
Il was first told of this in con-
fioence in Dayton (Ohio) hotel by
one OF the high-ranking officers at
Wright Field" said Mr.. Hughes.
Senator Ferguson. Republican, of
Michigan asked if it was either of
two generals
No. Mr. Hughes replied, adding,
"it was not only generals, but off,
GERS down the line"
He said he would try to recall |
over the week end who first tcld |
him
Meyer Still Under Subpoena.
When the subcommittee recessed
yesterday it still had a subpoena
out for the Temperance of Mr..
Meyer. While no decision had been
reached as to how many other
witnesses would follow Mr.. Hughes
on the stand, all indications werG
the subcommittee will try to con-
clude the hearings in a few days.
Colorful Mr.. Hughes held the
attention of the crowded committee
room Yesterday as he unfolded
(See HUGHES, Page A-4J