Evening star., 1918-04-10
AIRCRAFT PROGRAM
TERMED A FAILURE;
HOPES FOR FUTURE

liberty motors and carry six men. eight
machine guns and a heavy load of
bombs.
The history Of negotiations for the
afford a remarkable illustration Of pro-
crastfnation and indecision too long to
recite," the report says.
Designs of this plane, which had
been used with marked success by the
iciaIs as early as May, 1917" it con-
tinues. "The Signal Corps finally de-
cided upon manufacture of number OF
parts about january l. 1913. Omcials
testify that they do not expect COM
pietion of the first set Of parts in this
country before June, 1915"
One Shipped to France.
The De Haviland combat plane, lib
erty motor driven, and carrying two
men. four machine guns and mod
the committee said. but only fifteen had
been very recently completed and one
shipped to France.
Another fighting machine. known as
the Bristol. is lighter and faster, and
is expected to attain a speed Of 125
miles per hour, to be used largely for
reconnaissance. Another type. de-
fensive fighter, carries two men and
four machine guns, driven by one lib
erty motor. The first machine of this
caught fire and was completely de-
stroyed in testing, but satisfactory
quantity production" is expected with
in q reasonable period.
I'm addition to the American produc-
tion of engines and airplanes." the re-
port continues, considerable orders
for combat airplanes and engines were
last summer placed with European
materials and mechanics for their con-
struction."
Changes in Liberty Motor.
Important changes made in the liber-
ty motor within the last two months.
serviceable for combat planes of the
defensive type and for bombing and
observation planes" The motor, 1t says.
bids fair to hold its own with foreign
motors Of similar power. weight and
purpose. Some liberty motors already
delivered, the committee said. are be-
ing altered to overcome defects.
'sThe production of liberty motors to
date is. Of course. gravely disappotnt-
ing" says the report. THE testimony
utation and experience have. since last
July, repeatedly warned oflcials that
perfecting of a newly designed motor
must inevitably involve many months
Of painstaking experiment, accompa-
MED by the many setbacks and disap-
pointments.
"In spite Of the unanimous testimony Of
motor experts along this line. govern.
ment officials having the manufacture OF
mistake of leading the public and the
allied nations to the belief that many
thousands Of these motors would be COM
pleted In the spring Of 1913"
For Complete Reorganization.
Recommendations for a reorganization
Of the aircraft production machinery fol-
lows:
"Your committee believes that produc-
ton Of aircraft should be controlled by
President and responsible to him. He
should be assisted by corps Of the best
aircraft engineers and designers possible
to obtain. both European and American.
The matter OF production should be
taken out of the hands Of the Signal
Corps entirely. and no man who has any
near or remote interest in q company
be permitted to act as adviser to the
in authority.
Broad Plans Are Lacking.
1.-The committee believes it to be its
duty to point out that thus far no
broad plans looking to future develop
thorities. Warfare in the air is stiIi in
its infancy. and It IL inevitable that
rapid changes will take place in en-
gtnes ana planes. It 10 essential to our
success that those in charge Of Ameri-
can aviation development shall be con-
stantly looking ahead and devising
plans for continued expansion OF the
program. as well as development Of
new types OF engines and planes"
gon. chairman. presented the report.
Senator Shepard OF Texas was given
leave to file a minority report AZ the
Chamberlain report ostensibly was
made by the entire committee. the ac-
ton OF Senator Shepard was the FIRST
public evidence Of division. It was re-
iiably reported today that, after .
stormy seesion yssterday. the Chamber