Gutzon Borglum to Woodrow Wilson

Enclosed is a copy of my letter to the Secretary of War, together with his reply. They explain themselves. I said nothing of what had become of my report, nor does he appear to know. I agree with the urgency indicated in his letter but it will be extremely delicate for me to meet Mr. Baker and deal with this subject frankly as it must be dealt with until you and I have an understanding in this matter. Please advise me by wire.

I do not wish to become involved in and shall avoid all side issues until this, the most potential military machine at our disposal, is clean of corruption and Germans and engaging the honest attention of our great manufacturing interests and we are free from intrigue and are headed right in production.


Hon. Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States,Washington, DC

P.S. I feel I ought to tell you that our aeronautic conditions have been investigated organization, personnel, character and record of men in charge by the Allies. Two of these investigators I have direct reports on and they are fearful of informing their governments of the real situation.

I'm very unhappy about this whole business. It looks bad now for our nation, for our world credit, and it is looking bad for our government. Please realize that for months I have been looking into the ways and means of aircraft production. I have seen its workings and I have burdened you with only a small part of the conditions that are murdering our country's potentiality and eating into the moral conscience of the nation. How long must I, knowing this, sit and see the time pass, which each day becomes less and less, more and more precious and necessary to heal the wounds that have struck humanity to her knees, and which we in name at least appear officially opposed to. Even since I left my report (two weeks ago) at the White House, the enemy of the world has acquired, potentially, territory and people exceeding all America, saved his economic future broken "the ring" and thrown us into guerilla warfare. This should give us pause.

I think I have indicated with clearness that I could save, within a fortnight, something over a hundred millions. Not that I care for that, but if the price of five Hog Island ship yards could be combed from the loot of a single department of our administration and at once add to production, there must be something deserving a people's attention. With that money I could have built a fleet of air planes capable of driving the Germans inland in the time I have spent examining the records of incompetent, corrupt officers, German in origin or under German control.

Private information came to me Thursday that armoured German planes had appeared. One of these will handle a dozen of ours. (Informant a British aviator just landed). This was suggested to our board six months ago.