The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-08-30
PROBE SHOWS UP
AIRCRAFT WASTE
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FRiTTER
Ed AWAY. SAYS SENATE
COMMITTEE
ONE MAN CONTROL Is URGED
REORGANIZATION Of Aircraft Board I'd
der Ryan Is Delivering Planes
Now.-Auto Manufacturers
Get Blame

Washington. Aug. ~. $780, Structures
upon failures di>Jppoininehts ana he-
lny3 in the American aircraft program
we're coupled with praise tor what no"
has been accompIi shed and Stale
ment that quantity production soon
may be expected, in long report
submitted by the senate military SUP
committee on its aircraft InVestiGa-
! tion. While commenting faNoraDly up
on reorganization already erected
| the committee strongly urges one man
| control through the creation of new
| department of aviation headed by
| cabinet member.
Waste of millions of dollars. faulty
executive organization, improper loca-
ton of training fields, employment OF
| inexperienced inspectors, ana 1aNorit-
ism to contractors are among the
faults charged to the old organiza-
ton.
The report is impersonal in eN-
planning that questions of individual
dishonesty or official corruption were
left for investigation of the depart
ment of justice inquiry directed by
Charles H. Hughes. 1t WAS submit
ted with the unanimous endorsement
of the senators who have conducted
the inquiry during the last few
months-Senator Thomas of Colo
RADIO. chairman. and Senators Reed Of
Missouri, Smith of Georgia, New of
Indiana. and Frelinghuysen of New
Jersey. After approval by the full
military committee it was read to the
senate.
Coffin Disclaims Responsibility.
In a statement later commenting
on the report. Secretary Baker said
the country should he gratifed to
know that quantity production of air.
, planes now is assured. Senator Thomas
put letter into the record from How
ard f.. Coffin. former chairman of the
aircraft production board, disclaiming
responsibility for himself and other
, civilian members. for actions of army
and navy officers.
Auto Makers Dominated.
For the situation that has resulted
= in absence of single American made
; fighting alrplane or heavy bombing
plane at the front, and the presence
there Of only 81 DeHayiland recon
u naissance machines by July l, the
F." committee assigns three prime reasons
y dominance of automobile manufac
: turers with no aeronautical experience,
= in aircraft production, their adoption
Liberty motor In all classes of ma
: chimes. and failure to adopt success
o full foreign planes aud motors.
.. Many Costly Experiments.
u The committee stated that the orig
u inal 500 o00, 600 aviation appropriate
W had been practically wasted aud tn
Bristol fighter and other types I'M
been abandoned after long aud cost
experiments and loss OF life
- The De Haviland machine is fault,
y 1t adds, and is now In process ,
change.
60 Liberty Motor not Perfect.
The Liberty 12-cylinder motor, I'll
committee declares. Is excellent
approved by and ordered by the allie
" and, although not yet perfect or d
on veloped in the short. time reported
n in quantity production.
ey Influence of automobile mannfn
rs turers, inexperienced in aircraft field
ri WAS deplored by the committee. Viii,
III said "one man control of AWAIT,
~ would have avoided many of the mi
or. takes recounted.
rk-