The sun., 1919-03-18
U. S. AIR SERVICE
HAS Big SHAKEUP
Brig. Gen. Mitchell Subordi-
mated to Two Colonies in
Reorganization.
HAS A FINE WAR RECORD
Army Officers Puzzled and
Amazed by Orders in
Memorandum.
Specie, DsspatcA TO Tnr SITS.


WASHINGTON, March IA new
sweeping reorganization OF the air ser
vice, containing many puszlinr features,
has just been completed by the War De-
partment and communicated to officers
concerned. 1t apparently wipes out the
organization as built up under the bu-
| reau Of military aeronautics and Substi-
tutes a new plan and a new list Of on
| GERS to run IL
According TO the order, which 10 called
General Memorandum 81" and dated
March -, Bris.-Gen. William Mitchell.
| OF the First Army abroad and who has
lighting record that has brought him the
| Croix de Guerre, the Distinguished Ser
vice Cross and other decorations and
| who presumably has been head of the
division of military asronautics since
March I, Is made third assistant execu-
| tive on the executive stan under one re-
tired Colonel, one Colonel and one Major
This part of the general memorandum
| reads:
Executive stah-Executive officer,
Milton E. Davis: FIRST assistant ex-
ecutive officer, Col. William e. Gill;
more j; second assistant executive ON
Ger, Major Horace NJ. Hickam: third
assistant executive officer. Brig. Gen.
William Mitchell; fourth assistant
executive ofiicer. Lieut.. Col William
e. Pearson"
Col Davis is oficially on the list Of
retired officers.
Omcers Are Pux.Ied.
Officers OF the air service who only re-
ceived copies of the memorandum late
to-day were frankly puzzled and amazed
that Brig. Gen. Mitchell should be placed
under officers of lesser rank. and the
question was even raised whether the
army regulations would permit this
There is an impression in army circles
that something must be radically wrong
with the wording Of the memorandum.
No doubt exists. however, as TO the ef-
feet OF the memorandum as II stands.
Mitchell IL "Brigadier-General
F1yer"-the only one in America-and
has been cited for actual work in COM
bat at the front. No officer in the air
service has a moro brilliant record. No
reason can be ascrIbed for placing him
in a subordinate position which would
naturally attract attention throughout
the army.
If the memorandum IL misleading as
any officers believe it must be, 1t will
be necessary to straigthen out the con-
fusion without delay. Even in other re-
spects the issuance OF the general
memorandum has caused CONSERVATION
In aviation circles Officers not named
in the list do not know whether they
have been summarily relieved OF duty
or not.
1t Is recalled that when Major-Gen.
Kenly was relieved his orders went to
the wrong address and were shunted
about from bureau 20 bureau for four
days before they finally reached their
destination. This has naturally made
other officers uneasy, especially as there
is a pronounced element OF uncertainty
now in the air service organization. No
one vet knows what the War Depart
mert is or is not going to do with the
gigantic service built up Mt an expense
OF approximately $1,000, 5000
Future of Air Service.
Is the Government going TO declare
bankruptcy so far as this service is con-
cerned and seek to save q few dollars
from the wreck. or Is this going TO be an
efrort 10 turn this gigantic work into
profitable peace usage? they ask. No
one knows. Secretary Baker is ont
West inspecting camps and has 80 far
given no clue MS TO now he IS going TO
handle this pressing problem.
The reorganization just learned OF
after assigning the executive staff con-
tinues:
The technical advisory STAFF. sup
ply; chief air service proper. Lieut.
Col Augustus w. Robins: Chief Air
Service. procurement. Col. Chalmers -.
Hall: Chief Air Service Materials In
spection. Lieut.. Col. George W Mix
ter; chief Air Service Finance. Lieut.
Col. Alexander C. Downey; Chief Air
Service Aeronautical Engineering, Col.
Thurman II. Bane.
Training and operations: Chief Air
Service Training detail later chief
Air Service operations. Lieut. Col.
Lewis y. Brereton Chief OF Air Ser
vice Gunnery. ieut-Col. Harold T..
Hartney; Chief Air Service Communi-
cations. Col. Clarence {. Culver; Chief
AR Service and Balloon end Airships.
Col. Charles Def. Chandler.
Administration Staff: Chef Air
Service personnel. Lieut.-Col. Rush b.
Lincoln chief Air Service Inspection.
Lieut., col Frank VI. Andrews Chief
Surgeon Air Service, Col. Albert Z:
-.