The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-01
TailOrs
and
Hatters

IN the course or the deVelopInenl OF Inc
He adds that since he is in accord
with ths report he does not consider
1t necessary to prevent ~ somewhat
full report which has heretofore been
prepared by the department. Of Justice
Mr.. Gregory also explained: VI DO not.
consider 1t germane TO- this investiga-
ton to enter into criticisms OF the pro-
gram or Of mistakes IN policy or IN the
exercise Of judgment"
Another portion OF the attorney-gen-
erals letter says:
"Agreeing substantially as ] do, with
the statement Of facts made by Judge
Hughes, 7 am of the opinion that 1t
cannot fairly be charged that a NAH
aging officer OF any contracting cor
poration has desired or attempted to de-
lay production or been actuated by dis
loyal motives"
Mr.. Hughes in his report referred TO
the retention by Henry Ford Of Earl
Emde as chief Of his drafting depart
ment: despite charges ,9 Of prGs re- 5ssTn
ing complaints against Emde Mr.. Ford's
reasons for keeping Emde were set
FORTH in minutes Of the proceedings,
saying; mfr. Ford, felt that # was n
time of sacrifice-that in the next few
years every man would be called upon
to make some sort OF sacrifice, and that
possibly Mr.. Emde. G~erman-born, was
making his sacrifice now when making
drawings for the Liberty motor TO be
used ultimately against Germany
Mr.. Hughes added that this indi-
Gated a 'laNity at the Ford plant with
respect to those Of German synlpathies
which was not at all compatible with
the interests Of the government"
Mr.. Hughes report declared substan-
tiated in part were that there was delay
in getting model planes from the allies,
and In preparing specifications for their
reproduction; that plans were frequent
ly changed both IN airplene types and
ufacturers well qualified for production
failed to receive contracts, while others
poorly prepared were given orders: that
many plants engaged In airplane manu-
fscture lacked knowledge and experi-
ence. and that In pushing for speed In
production, confusion and waste &C.
Cured in plants.
9,674 Planes 0. X.
As for actual results the report states
that up to Oct, II, .e,6ILt a~irplanes were
built, Of which b,187 were for ele-
N Mensafy tra sTiaina"g and 4 s'sso Were we're Tor for o OBJ.
servation and bombing service. In the
same time 2t,672 engines had been
finished, OF which 1859 were Liberty
motors.
h4ach type ol alplhht anu luS causes
Of delay In Its production Is discussed
separately In the report.
Mr.. Hughes comment on the Liberty
motor included the following:
1T now, appears to be e~onclusively
bombing planes, and for this purpose
1t has found high favor with the allies,
i is TOO heavy for the lighter pursuit
planes"
As for the early delay in the Liberty
motor production program. the report
There was no reason why the devel-
Upment OF the Liberty motor should
have stood In the way of the produce
ton Of other motors, such as the His
pano-Suiza for use In single-seater pur-
suit planes. But so far as the heavier
observation and bombing planes are
concerned the weight Of opinion Is that
It would have taken about as long to
put any other htgh-poWer. motor into
successful Quantity production IN THIS
country. according to our methods or
manufacture as it has taken to develop
the Liberty motor"
Making due allowances for the in
evitabla course Of experimentation, the
Liberty motor could not have been put
it was"
- output of Liberty motors Is far
behind the original schedule, SAYS the
report, MS It shows by the preliminary
estimates that 4,725 would he delivered
last May and 4,42b In June, a com-
pared with actual deliveries Of 545 IN
May and 1,04S In June. During this
month alone, however, 1000 l2-cyllnder
engines were produced, II was officially
announced last night,
OF the $3.50 Liberty motors produced
up to Oct. II, 6,SD5 were for tho army
and s,7e4 were for the navy.
Rars Inefficiency.
Criticising the apparent lack Of
method in selecting aiTplane contractors
and distribution work, the report says.
"Thnre have been numerous COM
plants from individuals and corpora
tons who sought contracts unsuccsSs-
fully. The extent TO which activities
were centsred at Dayton, the profitable
contract promptly given TO- Col, Deeds
former business associates referring TO
the DRyton-Wrigh company and the
preference TO a small group of manufac-
turers In the allotment Of the large con-
tracts created a feeling Of distrust which
finds frequent expression In the record
of this inquiry.
ut does not appear that In the award
Of these contracts there was adherence
to any clearly defined principle. While
offers or requests Of some fnnruiactur-
ers went UNDECIDED because OF alleged
lack al proper facilities or Of assured
financial ability, In other cases CON
tracts were made with parties equally
destitute OF adequate resources
Fer n whole year after the nation
entered the war; says the report the