The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-08
AIRCRAFT WORK NOT RIGHT.
REPORT MADE BY AERONAUTI-
CAL SOCIETY.
Statement Brought to Senate by wads-
worth Criticizes Officers I'm Charge.

Washington, May "A report on
the aircraft situation compiled by the
investigating committee Of the Aero
nautical Society Of America, filed in
the senate today by Senator wads-
worth. reviews optimistic statements
on the progress OF the building pro-
gram attributed to Secretary Baker
and brands them as false and mis-
leading.
The report does not attempt to fix
responsibility for delays and failures
OF the aircraft program. but in a
general way supports the published
charge made by Cutzon Borglum, The
sculptor. who under authority of
President Wilson made an investl-
CATION and report on the air craft s;u-
alton.
Some portions OF the reports are
stafthng In their fiat charges OF inef-
f,ciency. IL charges that not more
than s per cent OF the facilities for
building aircraft have been utilized by
the aircraft production board and tha,
recruiting and training OF men for
flyers has slowed down because those
In charge OF tho program have given
up hopes OF a great fleet OF airpiaues
In 1919.
Practically all statements by OFF,
Gers OF the government regarding the
execution OF the aircraft program
must be absolutely neglected as un-
Trustworthy" said the report. "Inven-
tive genius was left unutiiized so The
Iol9 program Is imperilied unless
steps are radically taken to combat
this evil"
censorship was without military va.-
NC. that recruiting had been such as
to create uncertainty and cause loss
of men. that production OF fighting
planes lis tagging through lack OF CO.
operation OF departments" and thi,
delays will increase with the rate OF
production.
The Liberty motor. basically of good
desisn. said the report was discredit-
cd by campaign OF high officials and
its production has been uselessly and
Unnecessarily delayed. the high alti-
tude type still being in it's infancy.
Lees than per cent. of the countrys
t,foaa,ctinn focittttaa ora ,,t,,i,od A..
VIA said.
"a Charges Md limitations OF irregu-
hrities In connection with the aircraft
program which have been published
md discussed in capitol cloak rooms
f2r some time were brought to the
floor OF the senate today with de-
rtands for new investigation with
Wow to criminal prosecution.
During the debate several members
OF the military committee declared In
fevor of reopening the inquiry recent
ly concluded by the committee, but
senator Hitchcock of Nebraska, act
Ing chairman. said the committee
yeas without power to deal with crim-
inal prosecutions and that the depart
ment OF justice should handle that
phase or the matter. Later commit
teemen conferred with Cutzon Bor-
sium. the sculptor. who made a re-
port to the president on the aircraft
program and IL was said that wheth-
er the committee would act depend
ed upon information TO be submit
ted by MIR. Borglum.
Senator Hitchcock. dwelling upon
alleged misleading OF the public re-
Earding aircraft production. told the
senate that the aircraft board had
been playing n gigantic confidence
game on>the whole country" He de-
cisred the Liberty motor, in fact, is
nothing but the Packard motor i'm
proved and that the government is
contemplating paying the Packard
company between $500, 900 and ST.
900. 900 for It's interests.
Senator King OF Utah said ne would
introduce resolution for an inves-
tisation II the military committee did
notsact.
Others urging further and thor
ough investigation were Senator
Brsndegee. OF Connecticut. who re-
Gently asked the committee to inves-
tigate alleged "pocketing" OF the
Borslum report to President Wilson.
senator Knox OF Pennsylvania and
Senator Beckham OF Kentucky. Thorn
ns Of Colorado. New OF Idiana and
Kirby OF Arkansas. military commit
tee rnennherq