The sun., 1916-10-04
Secretary Of War Replies to
Charge Of the Aero Club
Of America.
QUESTION OF S2.IlO.8 800
Big Sum Appropriated for
Militiamen, but They Got
Only $4,000.

housC, lNS koN dkdlflst ~ tIt'titiiNs
and integrity Of officers In control of the
country's military %aeronautics have
created such a disturbance in Admins.
tration circles that Secretary of War
Baker to-day. believing the accusations
were about to he made public. issued a
denial In anticipation of then
The charges are. according TO the Sec
rotary, TO the general effect that the
development OF military ac%ronautics was
being greatly impeded by the alleged
Inefri ciency and general misconduct OF
Major william Mitchell. now serving as
assistant to Col. George o. Squier. chief
Of the aviation section OF the Signal
Corps. This r~etardation of development.
Il was claimed. was espec'...y aimed at
the National Guard. the implication
was even advanced that the funds APP
propriated by Congress for the aviation
training of the guard were being utilized
for other purposes"
Charges Were In~vestisated.
Although these charges. II seems, have
been before the Secretary since last
July Is. nothing was said about them
until to-day when tho Secretary an
nounccd n special board had irves'i-
gated them lndcr his own personal
supervision.
This investigation Is now complete"
6sys Secretary Baker. AN II has no.
only failed 10 substantiate the alleGa.
tons even in the slightest degree. but
has shown clearly that the development
~ this important branch OF the mill
tary establishment Is being conducted
With energy and foresight.
when the plans FOR the dey elopmeut
OF military ~aeronautics now being In
augurated reach fruition. as far AS this
branch is concerned. the nation can
view the future with confidence and
Serenity
The charge OF misconduct against
Major Mitchell Il that he has allowed a
personal prejudice against the National
Guard to affect his conduct In office. Ii
b alleged specifically that his depart
dncnt refused to provide training faciii-
ties for Guardsmen as provided by Com
Rless during the mobilization of the
troops OF the border. and that ffty
0uardsmcn were kept in idicness at
Mineola. l.. L.. who were supposed to he
receiving practical instruction.
T Hell With National Guard"
Major Mitchell was practically in
charge of such matters. Lieut.. Col.
- 49, ~ Z ~ " ts'A
don. When President Hawley and Mr.
WoOdhouse asked why the militiamen
we're not being taken care OF. 1t Is
charged that the Majors answer was
To hell with the National Guard. II
Will never amount TO anything"
Other points in the charges were tina
the officers in charge nave refused to
turn over money appropriated by Con-
9reN Tor aviation. and have deliberately
caused the disbandment ~ militia avia-
don companies through discourtesy and
neglect.
Under urging by the Aero club, the
Charges state. Congress raised the ap.
propriation. approved by the aviation
section OF the army, of $500. 900 for
Maintaining for one year twelve militia
HpuadrOns To $3.50, 500. Ii was clearly
understood that the increase was TO he
used to establish All aerial reserve corps.
Yet when a prominent militia officer
Appealed to the aviation section of the
army for training for his men In avia
Qon as provided by Congress he was in.
formed by Major Mitchell that, while
ne plan for organizing militia squad.
fons was used as a basis for getting IN.
appropriations in question. the appro-
Rr!ation hill had failed To specify wha,
NE $9,6+o.s 500 was to be spent for
Therefore 1t was decided by the officer.
N charge. Major Mitchell explained. 1,
give the Nationa. Guard only $4,000.
Militia Got Two AeropIanes.
Al the time of the attack upon United
States troops in Carrizal. Mexico. Nhri
the guard was mobilized, the army tool
control Of about 100 euardsmen from
twelve States for aviation training a
Mineola. l.. |. These. i; j. charged
were deliberately left without trs,nin.
Vnftttfna 1tA. mara t,,,gN.I az, 81
only two aeroplanes. when thirty a
least Were needed. After weeks. durinl
which thew complained OF lack of in
struction. The First Nero Company
y. G.. y. Y. asked to he mustered out
Later the Secon Aero Company. y. q
~. y. VAS mustered out by request OF
the same grounds. Then two more ma
chimes were furnished, After a while III
Militia Bureau, in order 5s01. announced
that only hf-y guardsmen could b.
trained.
President llawley and Mr., Woodhous'
hrst wrote TO Secretary Baker o thes
matters on July %. They received m
answer, SO wrote again on August -, AM
A third time on September 5. Receivin'
no reply TO these. on September - the
put their complaints In the form Of def
mite charges against Major Mitchell AM
the aviation section OF the army.
At the Aero Club last night ires.den
Hawley and Mr.. Woodhouse told for tn
first time II their campaign ON SeCretar
Baker for recognition of the plan unde
which the last Congress appropriate,
more than $4,000, 900 for National Guar
aviation.
I'VE had planned to make thes
charges public on Thursday. since Secre
tary Baker declined to pay any a%ttentio