Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1918-04-12
FRIDAY, APRIL IL, 1918.
A DISCOURAGING SITUATION

7 UST how long the American people can be kept
y in ignorance of the inefficency of the war de-
partment and some of those higher up or imbued
with the idea that it is patriotic duty to keep
quiet and allow events to take their course, in the
face of extravaganza, waste and inefficency never
before heard of in this country, is problem be-
yond our ability to give an opinion upon. But
certainly, prefaced as it was by so much thunder
and assurance as to the accomplishments to be
expected from this country, and particularly from
the aviation department, the present situation is
most dsheartening, and it seems time that some
radical changes took place. The government
must have money and lots of it with which to win
this war, but this does not place any license upon
waste and inefliciency in its expenditure. With
more money than any other country in the world
and with plenty of brains in the country, there is
no excuse for the tardy and dilatory methods and
conditions revealed by the Senate Military Com
mttee in its ten days secret investigation Of Amer
ica's aviation program, as reported day or two
ago. The following are excerpts from the commit
tees report:
I'm spite OF the unanimous testimony OF motor
pers along the line, the government officials having
the manufacture Of the Liberty motor in charge have
made the mistake of leading the public and the allied
nations to the belief that many thousands Of these
tors would be completed in the spring of 1918" said
the committee
Information of this sort not borne out by The
facts has been injurious and its constant dsSimna-
ton the committee regards as misleading and detri-
mental to 1t is greatly to be regretted that
the statements OF government officials have miSrepre
scented the progress of the aviation program This has
mised the public and your committee, cognizant of
the facts, has in the performance of its duty made this
report to the senate
In recommending remedies to speed up produc-
tion the committee reported
Your committee believes that production OF air
craft should be controlled by executive officer APP
pointed by the president and responsible to him He
should be assisted by corps of the best aircraft
gineerS and designers possible To obtain both Europ
and American. The matter of production should
be taken of the hands of the signal corps entirely
and no man who has any remote interest in
a company manufacturing arpancs or engines should
be permitted TO act adviser be in authority While
we developing American aircraft and American
engines, should, temporarily at least procure an
abundant supply OF approved types of aircraft and
engines OF European design.
Further it seems to the committee that every en-
enlargement should be given to the development OF
aircraft and that any action which reards progress
such trust agreements or the prevention of those
developing machines for flying under proper restrc-
tons should be removed
The committee also believes it to be its duty to
point out that thus far no broad plan looking to future
development has been laid down by the authorities
Warfare in the air is still in its infancy and it is incv
liable that rapid changes will take place in both
gnes and planes, 1t is essential to success that
those in charge of the American aviation development
shall be constantly looking ahead and devising plans
for a continued expansion of the program well
the development OF new types OF engines and planes"
General Pershng last summer placed consid-
cradle orders for combat planes and engines with
European manufacturers and the United States
has furnished quantities Of materials and num-
bers of mechanics to aid in their construction, the
committee reported
The committee described the blame for the
situation in this language
"Your committee being devoid of technical know
edge Of motors and acropancs does not undertake to
point ont in detail engineering and manufacturing err
rors which may have been committed and which in