The evening world., 1918-08-22
DELAY IN AIRCRAFT
ASSA|LED;; ONE-MAN
CONTROL |S!URGED
Senate Committee Also Finds
Waste of Millions of Dollars
in Appropriations.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 22.-The long
awaited report Of the Senate Military
Sub Committee investigating aircraft
production was submitted to-day with
an arraignment OF delays in the early
days OF the war, a review OF improved
conditions and recommendations for
the creation OF a new separate de-
partment Of aviation with a Cabinet
officer at its head.
Disclaiming wholesale condemna-
tion of the aircraft programme, the
subcommittee praised much that has
been accomplished and predicted I'VE
are approaching a period when guam
tity production Of planes soon may
be hoped for" The report is imper-
sonal and says all questions OF dis
honesty or official corruption are left
to the Department OF Justices in
quiry. conducted by Charles Z.
Hughes.
Failure to adopt successful foreign
alrplanes and motors. waste of mill
ions OF dollars of aircraft appropria-
tions. dominance OF the airplane pro-
gramme by inexperienced automobile
manufacturers, "unsystematic and in
effective" organization and excessive
profits to manufacturers are among
criticisms made by the sub commit
tee, OF which Senator Thomas of COL
orado was Chairman.
While condemning chiefly failures
under the former aircraft production
board and Signal Corps control and
noting great improvements since John
d. Ryan and Major Gen. Kenly were
placed in charge OF the production
and military branches, the committee
strongly urged "one man control in
the future. Part of the blame for
poor organization at the start is as
signed to Congress.
Stating that much can be said in
extenuation OF disappointments in air
craft production" the committees re-
port details delays and failures. in
shing OF defective machines, during
more than years efforts to obtain
domination OF the air on the fighting
front.
In suggesting without attempting
to fix definite responsibility that
favoritiism had been shown by the
old Aircraft Board in placing con-
tracts, the Committee says the
presence OF Dayton interests on the
board and the large contracts given
Dayton companies has provoked "and
we think justly, much OF the public
comment which made the investiga-
ton imperative" The Dayton
Wright and Curtiss companies are
declared to have been given great
advantage over their competitors"
Chairman Thomas put into the
record a letter from Howard L. Cof-
fin. former Chairman OF the Aircraft
Production Board, denying that he
or the other civilian members OF the
board were in any way responsible
for delays In the army programme.
The original $40. 100000 appropri-
ated by Congress for aviation in July,
1917, says the report. has been ex-
hausted and practically wasted"
with 1884. 100000 more found neces-
sary.
The aircraft situation is as follows,
says the report:
six hundred and one De Haviland
fours have been embarked for France
up to Aug. /, 1918. OF these sixty
seven had reached the front by July /.
"on Aug. squadron OF eighteen
De Haviland fours new over the Ger
man lineA Details OF its performance
have not been received.
I'VE have not a single American
made chasse (or plane Of attack upon
the battlefront.
I'VE have not . single American
made heavy bombing plane upon The
battlefront.
I'VE have not developed and put In
quantity production a successful
chasse. or fshtinB plane"
Other criticisms include: Aban'
: donment of the Standard ]. training
S machine after 1900 had been bull
. at a cost OF 100000 and condemned