Arizona republican., 1918-08-23
MANY MILLIONS
 WASTEDSTATES SUb-COMM| TEE
Report on Aircraft Investi-
 gation Urges New Depart
 ment of Aviation Under Control Cabinet Member
Republican A. p. Leased WireJ

Republican A. p. Leased WireJ
 WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.-Strctures upon failures, disappointments and de- lays in the American aircraft program are coupled with praise for what now has been accomplished and a state ment that quantity production soon may be expected in long report sub mitted today by the senate military subcommittee on it's aircraft investi- gation. While commenting favorably upon reorganization already effected, the committee strongly urges one-man control through the creation of a new department of aviation headed by cabinet member.
 Some Faults Found
 Waste of millions of dollars. faulty executive organization, improper loca- tion of training fields, employment of inexperienced inspectors and favorit- ism to contractors are among the faults charged to the old organization by the committee.
 The report is impersonal, explaining that questions of individual dishonesty or official corruption were left for in vestigation to the department of jus tice inquiry directed by Charles E. Hughes. It was submitted with the 
 who have conducted the inquiry during the last few months-Senator Thomas unanimous endorsement of the 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.
 Quantity Production Assured
 In, ,tn lot the report, Secretary Baker said the country should be gratified to know that quantity production of airplanes now is assured. Senator Thomas put letter into the record from Howard F. Coffin. former chairman of the aircraft production board, disclaiming responsibility for himself and other civilian members for actions of army and navy officers.
 1 For the situation that has resulted | in absence Of a single American made l fighting airplane or heavy bombing plane at the front and the presence 1 there of only e De Haviland reconnais- sance machines by July 1, the commit tee assigns three prime causes-dom- inance of automobile manufacturers with no aeronautical experience in air craft production. their adoption of the impossible task of applying the Lib erty motor in all classes of machines and failure to adopt successful foreign 2lanes and motors.
 Appropriation Practically Wasted"
 In the train of disappointments en- suing, the committee says the origina $640,O00,000 aviation appropriation ha6 been practically wasted and the Bris tol fighter and other types had beer abandoned after long and costly expert ments and loss of life. The De Havi land machine is faulty, it adds, ant now in process of change.
 The Liberty F cylinder motor, tn, committee declares, is excellent" ap proved of and ordered by the allies and. although not yet perfect or de veloped in the short time reported, i in quantity production.
 Will Seek to Place Blame
 The report of the senate military committee on the airplane committee made public today, is known to repre- sent in general way the nature O criticisms to be made by the depart ment of justice in its report of the in vestigations now being conducted pN Attorney General Gregory and Charles E. Hughes. The department however will seek to lay blame for inefficiency extravaganza and doubtful contrac practices on certain individuals or in terests. These will be named in tn, report to the president and prosecu tions may be undertaken against then as soon as the report is submitted.
 Evidences of irregularity in airplan manufacturing uncovered so far by tn department of justice related to tn earlier phases of the construction pro gram and it is said that such marke, improvement has been shown in recen months that the officials in charge 0 the department of justice investigatio are strongly inclined to mingle a shar of praise with their criticism. The attorney general. MT. Hughes and Assistant Attorney General Frier son have been holding hearings at tn department of justice for ten days.