The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-25
Only 13 Airplane Squadrons Now in France, Where
 There Should Be 175
SECRET INFORMATION
 IS BEING DISCLOSED
Pershing Calls for 25,000 Airplanes, But Best Officials Hope for Is That 1S,0OO to 10000 Can Be
 Delivered by Next July

Washington, August "A, America's aircraft programme for the great army that is counted upon to win the war next year calls for $50 com plete squadrons of planes, and the man part of the programme already is ahead of schedule, with 5000 pilots trained.
 This information, given by Major Gen eral Kenly, chief of the division of mili' tary aeronautics, and many other facts hitherto held secret. were disclosed to- day when the Senate military committee made public testimony taken behind closed doors during three months of in vestigating by the avition subcommittee headed by Senator Thomas of Colorado
 General Kenly told the committee there are now 13 American airplane squadrons of 273 machines in France, whereas there should be 175 squadrons.
 William c. Potter, assistant director of all PldAlC PlOOuOlioiit sdiu Clai 4 VI shing had called for 25,Ooo planes by Ju;y l, 1919, and has been told it was hoped to deliver 1S,OO0 to 20,0oO. This would meet replacement demands of squadrons in the field
 SAYS 10000 MAXIMUM
 c. w Nash, former president of the Nash Motors company, and now assist ant to MT. Ryan, in engineering and pro- duction, gave it as his opinion that noth ing but De Haviland machines could be delivered before next January, and If 10000 airplanes were delivered by next July it would be almost miracle"
 General Kenly and other officers-in their statements with what Senator Reee characterized at one stage as brutal frankness," all being examined secretly and apparently without considering the possibility of the publicity now giver. Personal criticisms were voiced with freedom An example is found in General Kenly's examination concerning General Pershing calls for airplanes. In response to questions, General 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 would find cable fror- overseas asks for one thing one day, anc the next day countermanded the order and then the next day asks for it again and a week later countermands it.'
 There is no real friction between the army and navy, General Kenly told the committee, except "a very strong feeling that the navy sometimes is getting more than its share"
 General Kenly and other officers con firmed reports that General Pershins stopped manufacture of Spad machines last year and recently had criticised sev eral of the De Haviland models for warded.
 AIMING HIGH
 In outlining next years programm sent in by General Pershing. witnesses told the committee that General Pershine was advised that in trying to get 1S,Ur or 10000 machines delivered by next July the authorities are aiming rather high. A squadron in the aviation service, I was explained, normally consists of l flyers, but they usually have 21.
 During Secretary Bakers examination he was sharply questioned regarding air plane photographs distributed by tht committee on public information, witt what the Secretary conceded were "exag gerated" captions. During the tilt, Sen ator Reed of Missouri referred to Chair man George Creel of the information committee as 'licensed liar" intending to mislead the public.