New-York tribune., 1918-08-23

are unified in France, with all lines of
the service under a common protec
ton"
Activities of Colonel Z. A. Deeds
Regarding signal corps inspection of
airp'anes, the report stated it has
"functiored badly' with defective ma
teral accepted. then condemned and
afterward finding its way back to
producers
Regarding training fields, the COM
mittee says their estimated cost is
S52 ,500.0 .000 exclusive of that at Miami,
Fla, "as established by Colonel E. A.
Deeds, member of the board, on his
own responsibility and without the
the equipment division"
In another reference to Colonel
owner Of McCook Field, at Dayton,
Ohio, and part owner of another field
for which negotiations were begun.
"He sold and transferred them,'. the
committee said, "to interests with
which he had been identified and which
now own them"
Although Langley Field near New
port News, Va, was "wiseIy chosen
and we'll fitted" costing $3,664 600, the
committee says it was practically
abandoned" for training and expert
mental work, and McCook Field was
leased.
"McCook Field is not only too small for
satisfactory experimental flying. but
its environment is unfavorable," the
report adds. Danger of floods in the
marshy ground of Wilbur Wright Field.
at Dayton, was noted but the commit
tee said about S3.OO0.O0O expended
there justified its retention. Insistence
by the DAYTON Wright Company for
rental OF an additional field, in which
Colonel Deeds was said to be inter
eSted, caused abandonment of the pro-
gramme.
Among general observations Of the
report were that American engine pro-
ducing capacity has been fairly listed,
but that of plane production not prop
crly encouraged. Old manufacturers
were denied contracts, the committee
says while the Dayton Wright Com
pany and the Standard Company -
practically organized since the war;
were given large contracts
The patent control of the Curtiss
and Wright-Martin companies is dis
approved by the committee, which says
it has heard no word of approval of
an agreement sanctioned by the Depart
ment OF Justice, approved by the Sec
retarics OF War and Navy, for the pay
mcnt Of S2,000,000 royalties to these
companies. Manufacturers are op-
pressed by their patent license ar
rangemcnt. the committee said. and
recommended its abrogation.
Suggestions of Committee
Besides recommending one-man con-
troll OF all aviation in a new depart
ment the committee also recommended.
a commission OF engineers and
fnr
front.
Use Of all productive facilities to
secure rs many planes as possible.
Maximum production of motors
consistent with needs for ordnance
ana ships and other purposes. De-
VeIopment OF inventive genius bv es
tabllshing government courses in
aero dynamics, mechanical enpineer-
ing and training of hiers and the pro-
lection of airpane patents.
Reduction of profits on construc-
tion contracts.
requiring contractors, and not the
government, to pay for planes and
engines rejected because of defective
construction materials.
Better fire protection in factories
Contractors Profits High
Regarding contractors profits, the
committee said they appear, particu
larly for motor production, "altogether
too high being 1876 per cent for the
Liberty motor at one plant and about
SO per cent on the De Hayiland four
airplane.
The report will be submitted to the
full Military Committee, and later to
the Senate. Only minor changes were
made by the full committee The report
was adopted unanimously by the sub
committee after three months OF hear
ings and inspection Of plants
Secretary Baker made the following
com mment on the report
81 have read only the prcss copy of
tho sub-committce's report This report
points out many errors Of Judgment
and organization, which have now been
corrected. and comes to the reassurinp
conclusion that substantial progre 81
now is being made which certainly will
be gratifying information for the coun-
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