Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-04-11
TWO REPORTS ON
AIRCRAFT PROGRAM
disappointing" Says Committee
Majority-Not So Says
Minority
SOME NEW INFORMATION
SASS Primary Training Planes and
343 Advanced Training Machines Have
Been Completed In U. ..

countered in developing the nations
great aviation program were presented
to the Senate to-day in widely different
aspects through majority and minority
reports on the military committees pro-
tracted investigation of the subject.
The majority, through Senator Cham
berlain of Oregon, chairman. declared the
entire aviation situation gravely disap-
pointing. charged government officials re-
sponsible for the program with mis-
leading the public with over optimistic
statements and urgently recommended
that control be taken from the army
signal corps and placed in the hands Of
single executive oficer appointed by
the President. This report is understood
to have been adopted by vote Of eight
to six in the committee.
Senators Myers Of Montana and Kirby
Of Arkansas Joined Senator Sheppard
Of Texas in the minority report. which
asserted the majority failed to give an
accurate impression of the facts. and that
in the face of unparalleled obstacles ION
the whole the record Of the signal corps
is one of which every American can be
justly proud
Although the majority says the pro-
duction Of combat planes has been a sub
stantial failure, apparently there is no
great difference Of opinion between the
majority and the minority as to the pres
ent status Of the program as a whole the
disagreement arising over whether there
has been inefficiency and procrastination
and misleading publicity, as the majority
charges.
SOME NEW INFORMATION.
Some information heretofore regarded
as closely guarded secrets is disclosed in
the reports. Among other things 1t is
shown that:
Primary training planes to the number
| Of 3.45S and 342 advanced training ma i
chimes have been completed in this coun-
try:
Production Of training planes in the
United States is now proceeding on guam
| tity basis:
Arrangements have been made with
France for the construction there Of 6.00C
planes by 1000 American mechanics sent
| across the ocean for the purpose and
using 1900 tons Of American material;
Construction Of 1850 battle planes in
| the United States is planned.
CADETS LACK TRAINING PLANES.
Twenty training schools in America
have graduated 1926 reserve officer avia.
tors. though few Of them have beer
given advanced training.
OF 1900 cadets sent last year to Eng
land France and Italy for training, onl,
40 have completed primary training ant
because Of the lack Of planes the other.
may have to be recalled home.
| Investigation Of aviation problems b,
President Wilson'S special committed
headed by H. Snowden Marshall still II
progress and a preliminary report from
that body as to its finding in connection
with organization Of the aviation servic,
has been called for by the war depart
ment. 1t has been indicated at the depart
ment that action toward readjusting re
sponsibility for the production of air
craft would be based on that report.
The publication Of specific figures in tn,
Senate committees report attracted con
siderable attention among army officers
Brigadier-0eneral Mcintyre, chief mill
tary censor. said he had not been con
suited as to the advisability Of makinl
the disclosures.
MUST SOON SETTLE PROBLEM.
There is growing feeling about tn,
war department that final settlement o
the air program controversy must b.
reached very soon unless the efficiency o
the personnel now In charge Is to be i'm
paired by the unrest and confusion create
by constant agitation. Officers pointed
however, to the fact that the majorit
|. report itself shows better production fig
, ures are now coming forward as the pro
gram gets under way after much diff
Guilty from whatever cause.
The Marshall committees preliminar
report Is expected within day or two
! 1t has been intimated that q decision q
to steps to be taken will be reached 500
afterward.
The subject was brought up In the Hous
to-day by Representative Caldwell Of Me-
York. chairman of the military sub-con
! mittee on aviation. who defended the sis
. nal corps and declared the manufactures
of the United States have thought moi
, Of their country than they have of Euro
: pean money land to-day we are manu-
. featuring uwards of 1000 airplanes ever
month and the production is increasin
every day." He said that any unfultlle
promises regarding the program had nc
been made by army officers.