The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-23
(ry the Associated Press.)

Washington, Aug 23-Tho experts
said the De Havil2nd As were unsafe
until certain defects were remedied.
deliveries of the machine continued,
yesterday by the senate military sub
committee, which for several months
has been investigating aircraft produc-
ton.
Opinion of experts regarding the De
Haviland as to possibility of correct
ing defects, differed, the committee
says, adding:
Deliveries Continued Despite Defects.
fBut the assertion that the plane is
very unsafe in the condition in which
1t has been up to the time delivered
from the factory. was practically
unanimous. Deliveries of the machine
continued. notwithstanding, and many
were sent to France in precisely the
condition complained of in General
a., Pershing's cable.
'On August an order was issued
to ali the factories directing that no
mere of them be delivered until the
corrections required were made. We
are informed that production undEr
the new conditions is about to be
resumed"
Dc Havilands Structurany Weak.
Forty De Haviland As sent to Long
Island fields last month were tested
and pronounced "structurally weak
and Detective" the committee states.
OF 1876 delivered to the navy, it Is
said, tests at Miami. Fla developed
the same defects reported by General
Pershing, one hundred Grated at emf
barkstion points being returned to the
aircraft board. Admiral Sims reported
defects in about fifty already shipped.
I'akcr Is Well Pleased.
In a statement later commenting on
the report Secretary Baker said the
country should be gratified to know
that quarry production of appliances
now Is a~ red.s Senator Thomas puy
a letter into the record from Howard
F. Coffin, former chairman of the
aircraft production hoard, disclaiming
responsibility for himself andother civ
ilian members for actions Of army and
navy officers.
Coffin Puts II Up to War Department.
In his letter to Chairman Thomas,
Mr.. Coffin said:
All decisions 10 the types Of planes
and engines put into production have been
made by the technical organizations of the
war and navy departments and all resolu-
tions relating TO the pftrrfng of contracts
have originated within these departments
before being brought before the aircraft
1t has only been within these govern
mental departments that there has existed
n sufficient knowledge as to the require
Incnfs Of the mir service to permit the organ
ization of decisions and actions of this
hN-t'.,- - liliiiA i1oNes mayer anu Hlystli,
a. the three civilian members. did not die
tafe in any wav In such MATTERS
All contracts for aircraft have been made
h. the duly qualified bureaus of the war
aud navy departments. and the details OF
these contracts negotiated by the execu-
tive officers of these departments. The
administration % all aircraft contracts has
FROM the beginning. lain entirely within the
hands Of the departments and bureaus Of
the army and navy services. and neither
thu civilian members of the Aircraft Board,
nor thn beard ~ s,.ch. has ever exercised
turistiiericl in those lines. 1t is signfi-
cant in this .eonaectio1 that the navy pro-
gram. bearing the same relation to the
Aircraft Board and its civilian members las
that of the army aud using tire same form
OF contracts. hnS gone ahead anil at high
speed. Willie that Of the army has been
sad is stir in 6ifficuItipa