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Show HUGHES TO PROBE. We do not see any occasion for manifestations mani-festations of surprise over the announcement an-nouncement that the president has requested re-quested Charles Evans Hughes to act with Attorney General Gregory in the investigation of criminal charges made in connection with aircraft production, and Mr. Wilson must be given credit for desiring that the' probe be inserted in such manner as to leave nothing concealed. con-cealed. Those who remember how the former supreme court justice conducted the insurance investigation a few years ago, have very high regard for his ability abil-ity in such matters, and are more than pleased that he has accepted the responsibility re-sponsibility of bringing all the facts to light regardless of what interests may be affected. The attorney general would be, subject to criticism, whether deserved or . not, if he attempted the investigation with his assistants in the department of justice, but with Mr. Hughes in the case, hostile criticism will be withheld, at least until the inquiry in-quiry is concluded, for Mr. Hughes will not be playing politics, but will be acting act-ing as the personal representative of Mr. Wilson, against whom he ran for president in 1916. Prospective witnesses at the aircraft i investigation should be prepared to tell i the truth, the whole truth and hotlifn.' but the truth before they go on th stand if Mr. Hughes is to ask tho questions, ques-tions, or submit to having the facts drawn from them. We do not kuoW that the former associate justice of the highest court in the laud really enjoys making men squirm and fidget in the witness chair, but. he certainly possesses the faculty of making it exceedingly uncomfortable for a man Who attempts to hold back part of the truth. Not one of these fellows escaped when the big insurance companies were probed, and Mr. Hughes ' must have derived some satisfaction from the knowledge that his work was well and thoroughly done. At any rate, the people of the country recognized his ability aud fearlessness fear-lessness as an investigator of crookedness, crook-edness, and such honors as have since come to him are primarily due to the success he achieved when he quizzed the insurance chiefs and effected reform re-form in the conduct of the business certain. cer-tain. If there has been crookedness in connection con-nection with aircraft production in this country it will be brought to light, aud those responsible subjected to punishment. punish-ment. There is no doubt regarding the intention of the president iu this matter, mat-ter, or he would have called in someone else rather than allow Mr. Hughes to ! impale reluctant witnesses and force action in the criminal courts. But no one has the right to assume that crime has been committed until the evidence has been submitted, and, as the investigation inves-tigation is to begin at once, the people of the country will soon have an opportunity oppor-tunity to judge for themselves. |