The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-10
BAKERS SECRECY
Anglers SENATORS
Secretary Evadcs Answering
Senators Queries on Air.
craft Production.
RYAN Is SUMMONED
Committees Report Likely to
Stir Country-U. s. Show
ing Is Disappointing.
Special Despatch 10 TIVE srN.

WAsIIINGroN. Aug. 2. An angry
group of Senators quit the Committee
on Military Affairs at the conclusion OF
forty-five minute session OF the air
craft subcommittee, with Secretary OF
War Baker as the witness.
The Secretary's evasiveness, described
by the Senators who had tried to quea-
ton him as the most extraordinary man
Hesitation of indirect dction that they
had ever dealt with was the occasion
for the anger. Half an hour later various
bitter contributions to the coming report
of the aircraft subcommittee were under
way.
Send Hurry Call for Ryan.
It had been the purpose Of the sub
committee to question the Secretary as
to the number of combat planes now in
France. ready for transportation thither.
repdy for transportation to the ports
anC in the course Of manufacture. To
the series of questions the Secretary re-
pied with answers which illuminated
the subject only with the glare of ire in
the faces of his examiners.
twas remarked by the Senators after
the Secretary had stepped smiling from
the committee room that the examina-
ton had proved to them the most un-
satisfactory and valueless in the pro-
duction of concrete facts that II had
ever been their fortune to conduct
Mr. Baker went back to the War De-
p3rtment seemingly well satisfied with
his evidence, while the Senators, who un-
til to-day had planned to conclude their
investigation with the appearance of
Secretary Baker sent out hurry call
| TO. John d. Ryan. Director of Aircraft.
| Production. and determined to postpons
| final consideration of their report un.
til the beginning of next week. after Mr..
Ryan has appeared and cleared up the
| fog which they asserted the Secretary OF
Wal left behind
| The report Of the subcommittee on
aircraft production Of the Senate Com
nlittee on Military Affairs will be given
to the public as soon completed. The
subcommittee will report to the chair
man of the Senate Military Committee
| at the same time.
| Report VIII Create Scnsn tiOn.
| 1t is admitted the report will cause
| profound sensation throughout the
| United States. 1t will be in no sense y
whitewash. 1t is certain to take violent
| issue with public announcements regard
! ing aircraft pro Ion winch nave come
from Administration sources and will
deal roughly with 81 me claims put forth
| by the Committee Oh Public Informa
| ton at the instance Of The Secretary of
! War
1t is also certain to speak with
vehement denunciation Of the system Of
spending the vast appropriation which
! it had been promised was to make
| America supreme in the air by now.
1t will show that even with accelera-
| ton of construction which has been
reached since John n. Ryan and WIZ
! lam C. Potter took the helm in aircraft
! manufacture and the direction of The
| Administration plans it will be well into
! 1919 before a serious demonstration by
American fighting planes can be made
| against the enemy,
The report probably will be published
| the litter part of next week.