The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-08-30
10000 PLANES IN 1873
PROMISED pERSHINC
Win War Program Calls for s5Osquad-
rOns: 5000 Pilots are Ready: 27s
Machines in France.

Washington, August 24.-American
aircraft program for the great army
that is counted upon to win the war
next year calls for $50 complete squad
rons of planes, and the man part of
the program already is ahead Of the
schedule with 5000 pilots trained.
This information, given out by Maj.
Gen. Kenly. chief of the division Of
military aeronautics, and many other
facts hitherto held secret, were dis
closed today when the senate military
committee made public testimony Ia
Ken behind closed doors during three
months of investigation by the avia-
ton subcommittee headed by Senator
Thomas of Colorado.
Gen. Kenly told the committee there
row are 10 American airplane squad
rons of 273 machines in France, where
as there should be IT'S squadrons.
William C. Potter, assistant director
of airplane production, said Gen. Per-
shing had called for $4,000 planes by
July /, 1919, and has been told it was
hoped to deliver $4,000 or 10000. This
would meet replacement demands of
squadrons in the field.
c. w. Nash, former president of the
Nash Motors Company, and now as
sistant to Mr.. Ryan in engineering
and production, gave it as his opinion
that nothing but DeHaviland machines
could be delivered before next Janu-
airy, and if 10000 airplanes were de-
livered by next July it would be "al-I
most a miracle"
Gen. Kenly, and other offcers-in
fact all of the witnesges-apparently
gave their statements with what SEN
ator Reed characterized as brutal
frankness," all being examined secret
.ly and apparently without consider
ing the possibility of the publicity now
given. Personal criticisms were voiced
with freedom. An example is found in
Gen. Kenly's examination concerning
Gen. Pershing's calls for airplanes. In
response to questions, Gen. Kenly
spoke of what he would do if he were
in charge at home and abroad, and
added:
IF you look over the cables you will
find cable from overseas asks for
enc thing one day and the next day
countermanded the order, and then the
next day asks for it again, and week
later countermands it."
There is no real friction between the
army and navy, Gen. Kenly told the
committee, except "a very strong feel
ing that the navy sometimes is getting
more than it's share"
Gen. Kenly and other officers con-
firmed reports that Gen. Pershing
stopped manufacture of Spad MAJ
chimes last year and recently had crit
icised several of the DeHaviland NAL
chimes forwarded.
In outlining next years program
sent in by Gen. Pershing, witnesses
told the committee that Gen. Per-
sbing was advised that in trying to
get $4,000 or 10000 machines delivered
by next July the authorities are aim
ing rather high" A squadron in the
aviation service, it was explained, nor
mally consists of IS fliers, but they
usually have 81.
During Secretary Bakers examina-
ton he was sharply questioned re-
garding airplane photographs distrib-
uted by the committee on public in
formation with what the secretary
considered were exaggerated" cap
lions. During the tilt Senator Reed
of Missouri referred to Chairman Geo.
w. Creel, chairman of the information
committee, as licensed liar" intend
ing to mislead the public.