From the Howard Cannon Photograph Collection (PH-00192)

Description given with photo: "As Hughes Dropped "Blackmail" Charge - Washington, D.C., Howard Hughes, multi-millionaire air-plane builder, left, is shown leaning over the council table as he agreed to call of his "Blackmail" feud with Senator Owen Brewster at the end of today's heated session of the Senate Subcommittee's hearing of Hughes' wartime aircraft contracts. Committee members seated at the table (right) are: left to right: Senators J. Howard McGrath (D), Rhode Island: Claud Pepper (D), Florida: Homer Ferguson (R), Mich., chairman, and John J. Williams (R) del. spectators, reporters and photographers crowd around the committee table. Photograph by N.K. Benson 8/8/47." Another description given with photo: "Committee Closes Books On Hughes' Charges, Washington: Howard Hughes (right) exchanges remarks across the table with Sen. Homer Ferguson (R-Mich.), left, chairman of the Senate War Investigating Subcommittee, after the latter announced that the committee had closed its books on the inquiry into Hughes' charge that Sen. Owen Brewster attempted to "blackmail" him. Sitting next to Sen. Ferguson is committee member Sen. John J. Williams (R-Dela.), and standing directly behind Sen. Williams is Sen. Brewster (R-Maine), smiling broadly. Credit (ACME) 8/8/47."

Description given with photo: "Spotlight in Washington, Washington: Howard Hughes (left foreground) smiling faces battery of cameras before starting his testimony at Senate War Investigating Subcommittee's hearing on his wartime plane contracts. The room, normally seating about 300, was pack with 1,000 spectators. Credit (ACME) 8-7-47."