Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-08-23
REVEAL WASTE AND DELAY
Fayorltism TO Contractors, In.
experience and Poor Or
ganization Found.
ONE.M MAN CONTROL URGED
Establishment Aviation Post
in Cabinet Is Strongly
Supported.

WASHINGTON, Aug 22.--Strlc-
,uu upon failures. disappointment
and delays lu the American aircraft
program are coupled with praise for
what now has been accomplished
ana statement that quantity pro
duDuon soon may bc expected In "a
long report submitted today by tho
senate military subcommittee on It's
aircraft investigation. While com
mcuunE nyorably upon reorganiza-
ton already effected, tho committee
strongly urges one-man control
through the creation Of now de-
ptrtment ~ aviation headed by a
cabinet member
Waste of millions of dollars faulty
executive Organization, improper To-
cation Of training fields. employment
uf inexperienced inspectors aud IA
yoritism tQ-j contractors are among
the faults charged To- tho old organi-
2atOn by tho committee. The re-
port IN impcrsonal. explaining
charges " individual dishonesty or
official corruption were left for in
ycstigatlon TO the department OF Jus
ticr Inquiry directed by Charles T..
Hughes. 10 was submitted with the
unanimous Endorsement Of the sena
tors who have conducted the Inquiry
during the last few months Senator
Thomas of Colorado. chairman, and
Senators Reed OF Missouri, Smith of
Georgia, New OF Indiana and Fre-
linEhuysen OF New Jersey. After
approval by the full military COM
mittee Il was read 10 the senate.
CoffIn DiacIaims Rlame.
In a statement later commenting
on the report Secretary Baker said
the country should be- gratified "a
know that quantity production OF
aiplanes now IN assured Senator
Thomas put a letter into the record
from H8ward T., Coffin, former
chairman OF the aircraft production
board. disclaiming responsibility for
himself and other civilian members
for actions OF army and navy Of
floors
For the situation that has resulted
In absence of q single American
made fighting airplane or heavy
bombing plane at the front. and the
presence there Of only 81 DE Havi-
| land reconnaissance machines 10y
July l., the committee assigns three
primo causes dominance ~ auto
mobile manufacturers with no aero
nautical experience IN aircraft pro-
ducuon. their adoption OF the I'm
possible task" OF applying the
Liberty motor In all CLASSES OF ma
chimes and failure to adopt success
ful foreign planes and motors.
Sums Wasted.
In the train 81 dlUppointments
ensuing the committee says the
original $40. 900. 900 aviation APP
proprlntion had been practically
wasted" and the Bristol fighter and
other types had been abandoned
after long and COstly4 experiments
and loss NJ life The DE Haviland
machine N faulty Is adds. and now
in process of change.
The Liberty i2-cylinder motor
the committee declares. Ia excel
isn't" approved by and ordered by
the allies and although not yet per
, feet or developed In the short time
reported, is In quantity production.
Influence of automobile manufac-
urors. inexperienced In aircraft
fields. was deplored by the commit
toe. which said "onc-man" control
Of aviation would have avoided many
OF the mistakes recounted.