And I can tear it apart
if allowed to cross-examine you!
We're not gonna have
this bickering back and forth.
Somewhere between
two and 500,
If you'll just let me
get started.
Now, if you believe that because
of your great wealth and power,
You can intimidate any member
of this committee,
I want to advise you
that you're mistaken.
Now submit your questions
to the chair.
I'll put this
very simply.
On February 12
at the mayflower hotel,
Did you
or did you not tell me
That if I were to sell
TWA to pan am
That this entire investigation
would be called off?
No, I did not.
And I have asked you repeatedly
To submit your questions
in writing.
Well, how long have you known
Juan Trippe, senator?
I've known Mr. Trippe
for some time now,
And that's not the question.
Is it not--?
Is it not true
That Juan Trippe donated
$20,000 to your last campaign?
I mean, he spoke to me
as if you worked for him.
[crowd murmuring]
All right.
[cracks]
I have a personal friendship
with Mr. Trippe that is--
Is it true you accept
free tickets from pan am
So you can circle the globe
in support of your C.A.B. bill?
No, it is not true.
Well, who wrote
that Bill, senator?
No, we're asking
the quest--
Who actually wrote
the C.A.B. bill?
The actual words in the Bill.
Did you write them?
This is not how these hearings
are going to be conducted.
I-I have it right here.
Maybe it will refresh
your memory.
"Bill s-987 to amend
the civil aeronautics act."
Now, you introduced
this Bill to the senate.
Lot of words.
You write all of 'em?
Did you write
any of them, senator?
Now, look, Mr. Hughes--
Now, this entire Bill
was written
By pan am executives
And designed to give
that airline
A monopoly
on international travel.
And you've been
flogging this Bill
All around the world
on their behalf, have you not?
I have duties that take me
all over the world, Mr. Hughes.
Well, what the hell
Does a senator from Maine
need to visit Peru for?
[crowd mutters]
I was...
I was seeking outlets
for our trade...
Our trade goods.
Ah.
Buy a lot of lobsters
down there, do they?
[crowd laughs]
[cracks]
Senator Brewster,
how many times
Have you visited
Juan Trippe’s office in New York
In the last three months?
Huh?
Would you like me
to tell you, senator?
All right, this has
gone on long enough.
Juan Trippe is
a great American.
His airline has advanced
the cause of commercial aviation
In this country for decades.
Juan Trippe is a patriot!
Juan Trippe is not a man who
is interested in making money.
Hmm.
Well, I'm sure his stockholders
would be happy to hear that.
[crowd laughs]
[gavel cracks]
I'm telling you,
we're gonna clear this room.
[over radio]
this is James McNamara
speaking to you
From aboard the Howard Hughes
2000-ton flying boat,
The world's largest aircraft.
This is the Sky giant
which has prompted congress
To investigate the war
contracts of Mr. Hughes.
Today, before boarding
the craft,
Mr. Hughes told newsmen
That this test would be solely
a taxi experiment.
He said he didn't know
what might happen.
He pointed out that the mammoth
flying plywood shell
Might ship some water
under high-speed taxi pressure.
He said definitely, however,
That he would not
take the craft
Into the air until next spring.
The thin man from culver city
Pronounced the craft
an unknown quantity.
Hi, boys.
[group applauds]
None of that, now.
None of that.
As we speak to you,
We're about 5 feet in back
of Mr. Hughes.
And we are looking through
One of the side windows
in the cockpit.
Professor, why don't you
come on up front here?
In other words, we are 30 feet
high in this aircraft.
Strap yourself in right there.