The Sentinel=record. (Hot Springs, Ark.) 1900-current, 1918-05-08


fax, Iowa,
-
has been camourflaged and misrepre-
sented to the American people This
committee is determined to do what
ever is necessary to help win the maf
If there is responsibility for lack OF
speeding up, the committee proposes
to put its finger on the men respon-
sible, without fear or favor. And it
does not propose to engage in any
whitewashing process either"
Senator Brandagee, of Connecticut
republican, and others approved the
proposal to give the public complete
information. The Connecticut sen
ator said it was time for those making
charges regarding the aviation situa-
ton to prove up or shut up"
Hearings on the billion dollar avia-
ton estimates in the fifteen billion
dollar army appropriation bill vir-
tually were concluded today by the
house military committee with COM
m1tteemen expressing satisfaction
over the war departments present Or
ganization for aircraft production.
While no vote was taken on the ques-
ton of whether the committee should
institute any inquiry into the sweep
ing charges against the past manage
ment of the program, it was said
after the meeting that the members
were agreed there was nothing in the
situation to warrant such action.
In addition to outlining the program
for the coming year, war department
officials gave the committee an ac-
counting for the $740,000,000 already
appropriated for aviation, showing that
$307 100000 actually has been spent
and of the unexpended balance $270,-
000,0O0 covers contracts for construc-
ton already placed.
Before the committee in executive
session We're: Secretary Baker. Major
General March, acting chief of staff;
Major General Squier. chief signal
officer, Brigadier General w. L.. Ken
", chief of the division of military
aeronautics; William G. Potter, chief
OF the equipment division of the sig
nal corps and number of other Off
GERS. Mr.. Potter, whose examination
occupied most of the afternoon ses-
sion. testified that he knew of no
criminal neglect on the part OF either
the manufacturers or the government
officers and believed the manufac-
turers were engaged in a patriotic
and honest effort to produce results
for the government.
Secretary Baker said that much of
the criticism of the aircraft program
has resulted from pro-German propa-
ganda. Members of the committee
wanted to know whether German
plotting had interfered with produc-
| tion. Mr. Baker said he could not
say it had Mr.. Potter declared ma
terial had been destroyed, street cars
used in carrying men to the manu-
featuring plants had been wrecked and
sabotage had been practiced, all of
which had been attributed to German
influences. though no evidence had
been introduced to show it.
| Replying to a written list of ques
tions that had been prepared by the
sub committee on aviation Mr.. Potter
gave a detailed statement as to what
has been done with the money con-
gress appropriated last year for army
aviation He said of the 1907 900, 900
actually spent, $163 100000 went for
laerOplanes engines and equipment,
including spare parts. About $4,000
GOO was spent for the construction of
hangers and acquisition of aviation
fields in this country and 1872, ,000, 900
for similar purposes In France. There
is $3l 900, 600 in the hands of disburs-
ing agents, details of which were not
reported, and $5,OOO,OOO has been
spent for balloons
The balance, he said had been
spent for experimentation and other
lactivities. Further details were given
but at Secretary Bakers request they
were treated as military secrets.
Representative Anthony said he had
seen a letter stating that during
March the German aeroplanes flew at
will and unmolested over the allied
lines. taking photographs. General
Squier replied that 1t still is possible
Il CONTINUED ON PAGE EIGfHT.)