Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-15
AVIATION TOTAL
OF 100000
VOTED BY HOUSE
CONTINUED from First Page.)
criticising the statements then given
out" said Representative Kahn.
Pursues His Inquiry.
Pursues His Inquiry

And has not Germany and all the
central powers all the Information they
need in respect to this aviation mat
terri pursued Mr.. Campbell.
mo. 1 think not" answered Repre-
sentative Kahn. He asked the House
fairs committee and Of the officers who
had appeared before it. Representative
Campbell however. continued:
III we are to suppress testimony here
and the War Department gives out all
the information they have there. of
what benefit has our secrecy been?'
Representative Kahn gave the Secre-
tary Of War as authority for the state
ment there would be no such publica-
lions on the aviation subject in the
future.
IT have protested against giving out
such informbation," continued the Cali
fornia member. Il pointed out the
necessity Of keeping 1t secret War is
not ping-pong. Thousands of men are
giving their lives in this war and you
must protect them. You have to pro-
tect the interests OF the country. and
when you give out this information,
official as 1t would be through a full
discussion in the House of Representa-
tives. you would supply the enemy with
information"
Suggests "Trick" Information.
Representative Temple of Pennsylva-
nit advanced the idea that perhaps the
council Of national defense Is engaged
in giving out trick information to 1901
agreed this might be possible. but
Representative Fitzgerald leaped upon
this suggestion with loud outcry:
! 1.-The gentlemen does not mean that
the council of national defense, whose
official bulletins are published for the
~ q ND mi q
of Congress. has been publishing er.
roneous Information in order to fool
somebody while instructing us"'
Representative Kahn started to reply.
but Representative Fitzgerald con-
tinued:
However, inc report from the bu-
reau of tnformatio bears out the state
ment of the gentleman"
| Representative Kahn said also he De-
lieves in the utmost secrecy concern
| ing the contracts for naval vessels.
Representative Mann's Advice.
The House seemed ready to pass the
! bill Immediately. Representative DOW
ell Of Iowa suggested an executive SEES
sion. Representative mann 8dlneo ehe
floor and said:
Il have seen no material information
aAout our aviation plans given out FOR
nv part wish 1t were possible to con-
for this brings about speculation as to
the number of men and machines and
other data. But that Is mere specula-
ton.
There are two new things in war:
! submarines and airplanes. I can see no
way in the near future in which Ger
many can be starved out. nor can I see
how the allies can be starved. l can
not see how the western line can be
| penetrated.
Here is an unknown quantity. the
| control of the air. No one knows what
can be accomplished by 1t. But I be-
| lteve the time has como In our coun-
try when we can afford to spend an
| immense sum trying to gain control OF
| the air. Then we can see first whether
we can gain control of the battle front !:
| and. second. whether 1t will cause de-
moralization and bring about revolu-
"If / had my way about 1t I would
pass this bill without saying word
| about it,
At this the House broke into a hub
| bub There were cheers. yells of vote.
vote" thand-clapping in the galleries,
while to the tumult of cheers was add
| ed the loud voiced disapproval of men
who wanted to talk and discuss things.
Mann continued:
| There has been no information pub
lished as yet of any value to Germany.
and every particle Of information given
|
enemy. I would give them no informa-
| ton except that which they can gather
1 on the fighting lines"
Says Features Should Be Explained.
"If. the gentleman says he would vote
for this bill with his eyes closed then
| he has not read the BILL" declared
Representative Clarence Miller. repub-
lican. of MINNESOTA. who said there
were many features of the bill which
| ought to be explained to members not
| fully conversant with military details.
| Representative Gillett of Massa-
| chusetts declared the Secretary OF War
! had violated the law by not sending
| the estimate of $64O.000.00O to Congress
| by the prescribed channels.
Instead. 1t was given to the military
affairs committee in secret session"
said Representative Gillett. land 1t has
i been transmitted to Congress only by
| a violation Of the law"
Protests Surrender of Rights.
/ Representative Lenroot of Wisconsin.
who said that he would vote for the
passage of the bill whether amended
| or not took a different view from
! Representative Mann.
! lis 1t any wonder" he asked, that
the House Of Representatives is losing
the respect of tho country when state
ments are made on this floor that we