The sun., 1918-08-23
AERO PROBERS FIND
VAST sums WASTED


French. but has been able to obtain only
about 41s OF them.
1.-The cancellation of the Spad con-
tract and the failure Of the Bristol left
us without either single Or a two seat
fighter, except the De Haviland Four
which was originally designed as a two
eeat fighter and which We, are equipping
for Reconnaissance, Photographic, bomb
ing and fighting purposes
Only One Caproni Built.
X.-As early as October. 1917. we
were in possession OF the necessary ia
cilities to construct the Caproni. a
powerful and successful heavy bombing
plane, approved both by Italian and
English aeronautical engineers.
Expert Italian engineers have been
upon tire ground since January, yet the
fact remains that up to date we have
constructed only one experimental ma
chine which Is equipped with Liberty
motors.
CD The Handiey-Page heavy bomb
ing machine furnishes another example
of delay. Plans were furniste ed the
Signal Corps In the summer OF 1917,
but we're not then availed Of.
Contracts for spare parts were not
made until February. 1918. Deliveries
Of these spare parts did not begin until
August 1918. A sapple plane ordered
in March, 1918. was flown last July.
Tests are not yet complete.
Nine ations.
For the correction Of the evils found
nine detailed Recommendations are made
in the report Briefly these recommen-
dations are:
1. The creation of a Department Of
the Air. headed by a Cabinet officer OF
equal rank with the heads Of the War
and Navy Departments, and organiza-
tion of an air service under one man
not alone for this war but for all time.
.. A commission OF engineers and
pilots for observation at the front.
formed In relays and reporting in per-
son to the department at frequent in
tervals. This is imperative.
Z Enlisting the constructive activi-
ties OF all responsible concerns engaged
in building planes or which can be so
engaged to their full capacity. This
applies to airplane motors also. This
is called the prime need of the hour"
Z. Great expansion of the present air.
craft programme. working at the same
time to bring airplanes nearer to per-
lection.
e. Encouragement of the inventive
genius Of tile country in the most effec-
tive way.
Q. Ample protection by the Patent
Office to applicants for inventions re-
lating to the public welfare and defence,
to absolutely prevent disclosure TO
enemy interests
=. Drastic curtailment Of the margin
Of profits on certain .airplane contracts.
The estimates of the profit on making
Liberty motors at one plant is 1915 per
cent: for aluminium pistons. 2ss per
cent. other incidents are given.
9. Placing the cost directly upon the
producer for planes and engines rejected
because of bad construction or defective
materials not furnished directly by the
Government.
.. Making compulsory at plane and
motor manufacturing plants the require
ments Of the fire prevention bureau Of
the National Council of Defence.
One man control of the aircraft pro-
gramme. aided by skilled engineers and
practical fiiers, with production subordi-
nate to them. would have largely
avoided many of the failures and
blunders. says the report.
The report asserts organization under
the aircraft board was ''unsystematic
and ineffective" 1t pointed out the
board sought great authority and little
responsibility, its members affirming
they acted only in an advisory capacity
when they saw the crash coming. 1t
was mistake to place this board un-
der the Chief Signal Officer. the report
said. The fact that the board was made
up almost entirely of automobile men
was commented upon.
A parallel of the Italian and American
aircraft programmes was drawn. Italy
selected the most efficient types OF
French flying planes and Immediately
put them into production under the d.
rection of skilled French artficess
Also. Italy at the game time began the
development of planes on its own &C
count. rapidly equipping the Italian
armies with machines of proved ability
Your committee does not understand
why the Aircraft Board did not adopt