The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-23
AMERICAN AVIATORS
FIGHT IN Defective
PLANES OVER THERE
Fault Lies With Those in Charge In
United States.
Last Winters Assurances Proved
Without Foundation.
NO IMPROVEMENT SOON
Little Prospect of Much Real Result.
Before 1919.
British and French Unable To Supply
U. S. Forces.


dictment of the management of Amer
1ca's air program by the report of
the senate military committee yester-
day was the phase that related to
the air forces of the United States
abroad. The setbacks mistakes and
bungles on this side the public had
become more or less familiar with, but
the impression existed generally that
much of our trouble temporarily had
been overcome on the other side by
machines obtained from France and
England. For the first time this
phase of the air program is discussed
in official form.
Use Bad Planes.
The senate committee, of which
Senator Reed. of Kansas City took a
prominent part in the investigation
declared that the machines obtained
on the other side were not only far
from adequate in number, but many
of them were unsatisfactory and out
of date, and had to be used because
no others were available. This sec
ton of the report, dealing with con-
ditions abroad, reads as follows:
Recognizing the fact that the
United States would not produce
planes in quantities early in the war,
the board contrac cted with the English
and French early in 1917 for a supply
OF fighting planes. OF these, ALA.
according to the latest testimony, have
been from time to time delivered. This
enabled US to maintain thirteen
squadrons of eighteen flyers each on
the front, force which is wholly in
adequate to meet requirements of
modern warfare.
Baker Said All Was Wen.
att should also be stated that as
our troops are moving to France in
great numbers, the disparity may in
crease until we get into quantity pro-
duction. 1t is proper to call attention
to the fact that at an investigation of
the war department by the military
committee held in January and Feb
ruary. 1918. the committee was as
sured that the French could and
would furnish all the combat planes
we needed. provided we would send
them the raw material. and that this
material was being furnished. This
assurance was given when the cofn-
mittee showed anxiety at the continued
delay in the shipping of planes.
'In January General Squire and
Colonel Deeds testified to this fact,
and Secretary Baker gave similar as
surance to the committee. The facts,
however, are as shown by the testf-
mony of General Kenly given July 20
that the plan failed for two reasons.
We quote his testimony:
Failed to Deliver the Goods.
"The French contract practically
fell down, as you know. 1t was due
10 WnaI L COnSldeT Two ISdSOHS III
the first place, the contracts with the
French were dependent upon the send
ing of raw material that was to be
furnished by US, and we did not live
up to our agreement.
I'm the second place, the increase
in German activities in the air caused
a change of program in French avia-
ton construction. The French con-
tracts fell down, so that We became
more or less dependent upon what
could be furnished on this side
Use Anticipated Machines in Battle.
Besides this, many of the machines
our men are now forced to use in
France are unsatisfactory but not
more than those used by the French
themselves. An army officer recently
at the front testified that the Ameri-
can troops are using many antiquated
machines purchased from the French
that were discarded by them a year
and a half ago. They are using the
Sopwith, IL strutter, which has been
declared unsafe by the French and
British for observation work. They
are using the A re-equipped with
Renault, 220, which has a ceiling of
only ten thousand feet. They use
Spad two-seater which is unreliable
and unsatisfactory. They were using
a few French Briguet machines and
the Sampson, which is a French ma
chine. 1t is reassuring to reflect that
with all lines of the service under
common protection"
The conditions described by the
committee obviously are a result of
the mismanagement and mistakes in
handling the program on this side.
Few U. S. Planes Before Next Year.
Careful study of the report shows
that the committee was convinced that
the organization and work was going
on better now than 1t had. But it
fails to hold forth any promise of real
quantity production on this side of
other than the De Havilands for sew
eral months to come. In other words.
aside from the De Havilands, it will be
next year, not this, before any great
weight in the air can be exerted by
the United States On the mooted
question of the De Haviland. the COM
mittee's report is skeptica1 of their
early value. It points out that all the
fective, and extremely SO. It frankly
admits those now manufactured are
better. but limits their practical use
largely to reconnaissance and photo
graphic work rather than fighting. 1t
does hold forth that the De Haviland
ga, a new model being developed, but
which hasn't been put into manufac-
ture. will meet the bill for a machine
of the De Haviland type.
With the senate committees report
now in, inter est is heightened in what
Charles E. Hughes will report from
his investigation. He went into the
contract phases and extravaganza
more than the committee, but it is ex-
pected he will deal with much of the
ground the senate committee did. The
senate committee in several spots hit
in a most pointed fashion at Col. E. A.
Deeds ara suggests they are leaving
Deeds to Hughes
The senate report revived attention
in the air program generally and it is
expected that the Hughes report. how
ever it may or may not match up with
tie senate's findings, will be made
public shortly.