Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-13
INVESTIGATOR HUGHES
EXTENDS PROBES SCOPE
Findings VIII Report on Charges Of
Irregularities and Give Rca-
sons for Failures.
a7s PLANES NOW IN FRANCE
Partial Survey Discloses Vast Force
OF Flyers, as Well rs Mcchanicians
and Airdromc Men, Who Are
Completing Flying Fields.

WASHINGTON. June lo-It was dis-
closed to-day that Charles Evans
Hughes has extended his Investigations
of the work of the Aircraft Production
Board. Ills findings will not only in
clude report on tho charges that ir-
rcgularities were permitted in the out
lay OF funds. but will also give TO
the nation a comprehensive statement
OF the reasons for the boards failure
TO create a large number of planes for
use abroad. 1t is understood that the
extension OF the scope Of the invcs-
tiSation Is undertaken with the APP
proval OF President Wilson.
From facts placed in the record with
in the past few days. il is made clear
that Mr.. hughes is running down every
report Of ineiiicicucy and that he Is
acting with tn" thorou2hness which
brought him into the limcliEht in the
famous New YORK insurance invcstiga-
tons. Although many OF the facts being
adduccd will never be given TO tho pub
lie lest they reach the hands OF the
enemy. much information which UP to
TINS time has been refused VIII b.
made public.
From evidence caring upon the If
held by General Pcrshings men ade-
auate air defense. IL has been brought
out that there are now at tho front
37s airplan.s bearing tho American in
sigma. These planes are being used
by l26 American aviators. who con
stitu,e seven rquadrons. Few of the
planes arc Of American manufacture.
1886 AMERICAN ANIATORS
READY TO FLY
There are now 1916 American avi-
1tors In France. \ large share OF
this number are ready 10 so into the
air against the enemy, but only 1925
have been provided with equipment.
There Is An equal number Of cbscrv-
ers and 3s.267 enlisted men 20 act as
mccharic!ans. an;. airdrornc men arc
a. work completing the flying fields
TO he used by the American forces.
That the training Of aviators has
progressed with far greater speed than
has the production % aircraft Is c~
dcuc.d 10y tn. fact that there are IA
the country to-day 1857 trained avia-
tors ana 4,H22 Observers and nonhying
officers awaiting orders to proceed to
France The enlisted men. many Of
whom nave finished their mechanical
training ~ the flying schools IN th.a
country. tota! at,o0I.
From records brought up TO date iwo
weeks ago. II appears that tin" aircraft
hoard ordered 5.3Qo elementary planes.
200 advanced training planes and H.
600 combat planes The engines or
dcrcd comprise 10 700 for elementary
planes. 6.5:2 for advanced planes and
1880 for combat planes. The program
also Included orders for 35.el3 pro-
rc,lcrs. LOT balloons. si3,735 bombs
and thousands of machine guns
DEMAND NEW ARRANGEMENT
or GUNS On AIRpLtNE"
Ia connection with The use Of ma
chine guns. IL is now known that Cen
crai persh!uG recently advised that
steps he taken at once by the Amer
lean designers TO perfect i plane which
would Ice able TO meet ia combat d
German a:rplanc having three guns
mounted TO shoe, through is propeller
and three guns mounted for use on its
sides and rear |, has also developed
that much time and effort is being cX-
pended in an effort to perfect a hover
;nE" machine. for use OF observers and
honbcrs.
pcnnl. figures Of deliveries of air
planes and equipment VIII not be placed
in the record OF the evidence until
later. !: IS understood. 1t is known,
however, that planes delivered from
American factories include 4,&Gj ele
rnentary. go advance. ia combat and
l95 experimental. Engines delivered
include G,l2G elementary, 1925 advanced
training and l.oi3 combat. More than
1855 propcliers have been delivered
and more than 1856 machine guns
About !25 balloons are in use.
II is understood thai, pending expert
mcnts. no large quantity OF aerial
bombs will he manufactured. Up TO
May IS none had been delivered.