The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1918-11-01
Aircraft Report Says Only $780,
O44,399 Has Been
Spent.
HAD S691,351,866 TOSpEND
Result of Hughes Investigation Made
Public at the White House-Ce-
scribed by Nonpartisans as a
Splendid Showing.

Washington, Nov. 2. - The long
awaited report on the aircraft situa-
ton by former Justice Charles h.
Hughes was made public at the White
House.
Taken in its entirety it is practically
a clean bill of health. The country is
informed that the $691, 35l ,S66.47
which it gave in taxes and in bond Is
sues for our aircraft program, has not
been %squandered.
On the contrary, only $134,O44,399.27
thus far has been expended, with re-
suits which %nonpartisans describe as
splendid.
The findings of Mr.. Hughes In brief
follow:
Col. Edward A. Deeds, formerly IN
charge Of aircraft production, should
be tried by cOurt-martial for tmprop-
erly favoring the Dayton Wright AIT
plane company, holding airplane con-
tracts, and for making a false ana
misleading statement in regard TO the
progress of aircraft production, IL nav
ing beer untrue at the time mat auy
airplanes had been shipped to France
as he had reported.
"Oficers found to have had transac-
tons on behalf of the government Win
corporations in the ~pecuniary pronls
of which they had an interest shoulu,
be prosecuted under section Al or the
criminal code.
Lieut.. Col. Jesse G. Vincent vio-.
lated the statute by participating IN
transactions with the Packard Motor,
Car company, Of which he Is a stock
holder and formerly was vice presl-
dent. ,
Lieut.. Col. George w. Mixter, Tor
merly vice president Of Deere q Co.,,
Moline, Ill.,, violated the statute,
strictly construed, in serving In a.,
supervisory capacity over inspections
at the Curtiss Airplane and Motor
company, in which he holds 20 shares
Of preferred stock.
Second Lieut.. Samuel b. Vrooman,
Jr., violated the statute by serving In
a supervisory capacity in inspec-
lions of aircraft propeller lumber old
to the government by the S. B. Vroo-
man company.
"While bombing planes are being
produced in quantity not a single com
bat plane has been sent to France, al
though such pursuit planes could
have been produced in large quantities
many months ago had there been
prompt decision and conscientious pur-
pose
1.-The Bristol fighter, withdrawn from
production as unsafe and unsuccessful,
has been replaced by the s. s. E.-5,
two of which have been delivered. Up
to October Is the DE Haviland 4 type
of bombing and reconnaissance plane
had been produced to the number OF
1855. One hundred Handley-Page
heavy bombers have been delivered
in parts, So per cent complete.
and FIVE LIE Pere planes recently have
been delivered.
"Up to October Is the number Of
Liberty motors delivered was 1858.
Since June 80 there have been deliv-
cred 242 Hispano 40 horsepower mo
tors and one Bugatti motor. Five His
PIANO 300 horsepower motors have
been delivered.
Aircraft production has been at.
tended by serious waste of materials
and impeded by chaotic labor condi-
tions, the government having been
largely competing with itself In the
labor market.
IAN '~extravagant scale of pronts'
has been allowed to manufacturers Of
Liberty motors. Henry Ford, though
behind in deliveries, expects to COM
plete his contract for 5000 engines by
January with an aggregate profit Of
So, 600. The Packard company Is
due to reap $15,OO0,OO 0 in profits, and
the Lincoln Motor company $11 $500 0
on a capital Of $S50,OO0."
In a separate report Attorney Gen.
eral Gregory says he finds himself I'm
substantial accord" with the findings
Of Mr.. Hughes, including those con!
corning violation of law. 1t Is assumed
that Mr.. Gregory will institute prose-
cutions Of the alleged offenders.
Howard e. Coffin, former chairman
Of the aircraft board; General Squier,
chief signal officer; Col. r.. L. Mont.
gomery, Col. 8. d. Walden, Richard r.
Howe, Harry 3. Thayer, Admiral Tay-
lor and other naval officers who are
members of the aircraft board are ex-
bDerated of charges Of violation Of
law.