Senate War Investigating Committee
Encyclopedia
The Senate War Investigating Committee was formed by R. Owen Brewster
in 1947 to investigate contracts delivered to Hughes Aircraft for the Hughes XF-11 and Hughes H-4 Hercules
(or "Spruce Goose"). The contracts, totalling 40 million USD, never resulted in any aircraft delivered to the United States Air Force, though Hughes stated that he spent far more of his own money than was granted to him by the government.
The committee accused Howard Hughes
of corruption in the methods he used to obtain government contracts for the aircraft. It was stated that Hughes had held parties with women paid to be present in order to soften up government officials who had the power to grant the contracts to him.
However, the Committee never returned any formal report: it was abandoned amidst claims that Brewster was only leading the committee at the request of personal friend Juan Trippe
.
The Committee is depicted in the latter half of The Aviator, a movie about the life of Howard Hughes.
Owen Brewster
Ralph Owen Brewster was an American politician from Maine. Brewster, a Republican, was solidly conservative...
in 1947 to investigate contracts delivered to Hughes Aircraft for the Hughes XF-11 and Hughes H-4 Hercules
Hughes H-4 Hercules
The Hughes H-4 Hercules is a prototype heavy transport aircraft designed and built by the Hughes Aircraft company. The aircraft made its only flight on November 2, 1947 and the project was never advanced beyond the single example produced...
(or "Spruce Goose"). The contracts, totalling 40 million USD, never resulted in any aircraft delivered to the United States Air Force, though Hughes stated that he spent far more of his own money than was granted to him by the government.
The committee accused Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes
Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American business magnate, investor, aviator, engineer, film producer, director, and philanthropist. He was one of the wealthiest people in the world...
of corruption in the methods he used to obtain government contracts for the aircraft. It was stated that Hughes had held parties with women paid to be present in order to soften up government officials who had the power to grant the contracts to him.
However, the Committee never returned any formal report: it was abandoned amidst claims that Brewster was only leading the committee at the request of personal friend Juan Trippe
Juan Trippe
Juan Terry Trippe was an American airline entrepreneur and pioneer, and the founder of Pan American World Airways, one of the world's most prominent airlines of the twentieth century.-Early years:...
.
The Committee is depicted in the latter half of The Aviator, a movie about the life of Howard Hughes.