New-York tribune., 1920-10-21

German airplanes would come and shoot
US up :. rake us up on one side and
then on the other with their machine
guns. never saw an American
plane 60 after the Germans"
The Hughes report commented on the
unnecessary Importance given to the
pooled production of the Liberty motor,
saying:
There was nc reason why the devel
opment of the Liberty motor should
have stood in the way of the produc-
tion of the other motors for use in
single scatter pursuit planes to which
the Liberty engine was not adapted"
Deeds Transferred Stock to Wife
In connection with the Delco ignition
system used on Liberty motors, the
Hughes report established that Colonel
Deeds was one of the originators of the
Delco corporation; also his connection
with the Dayton Metal Products Com
pany and the Dayton Wright Airplane
Company, all of which companies were
recipients of war contracts. The evi-
dence indicated that Colonel Deeds dis
posed of most of his stock in these
companies by simply transferring it
to his wife or inulmate associates. The
evidence upon which the Hughes report
based its conclusions was voluminOus.
This report said in part:
"The evidence discloses conduct,
which although of a reprchensb bic
character cannot be regarded as afford
ing a sufficient basis for charges under
existing statutes, but there are certain
acts shown, not only highly improper
IN themselves. but of especial signit-
cance, which should lead to Iiscpli-
nary measures. The evidence with re-
sIect to Colonel Edward A. Deeds
should be presented to the Secretary of
may be tried by court martial under
Articles 95 and 96 of the Articles of
Var, for his conduct CD in acting as
confidential advisor of his former bust
ross associate, H. f. Talbot of the
DaytonW Wright Airplane Company, and
III conveying information to Mr.. Tai
hott in an improper manner, with re-
srect to the transaction Of business be-
tween the company and the division of
the Signal Corps, of which Colonel
Deeds was the head; and (2) in giving
&c the representatives of the Commit
tee on Public Information false and
misleading statement with respect to
the progress Of aircraft production, for
the purpose of publication with the au-
thorlty of the Secretary of War"
The statement alluded to as false
was published in American papers on
February 21. 1918, as follows:
"The first American built battle
Flames are to-day en- route to the from.
IN France. Tne first shipment, though
IN itself not large, marks the final
overcoming Of many difficulties met in
building up this new and intricate in
dustry."
Colonel Deeds Not CourtmartiaIed
Evidence collected by the Congress
slonal committee, whose report was
subsequent to the Hughes report. shows
that Secretary of War Baker did not
follow the Hughes recommendations re-
eardlng court martial proceedings in
the case of Colonel Deeds A board of
review appointed by Secretary Baker
passed on the matter. examining a
number of witnesses and certain doc
umentary evidence. The board ruled
that Colonel Deeds should not be court
martialed
Among the large expenditures dis
closed by the Congress onal committee
was that of spruce production pro-
gram which cost the government $4S.-
'62, ,S26. This was under the direction
of Price p. Disquc, a regular army Off
Ger, and at the time of his appointment
warden of the State prison of Michi
gan. Spruce is used in airplane con-
structon. There was no evidence to
indicate that DisQue knew anything
about the lumber business. The COM
mlttee's findings were volumnous, dis
closing incompetence, questionable ar
rangements, waste and deplorable non
PRODUCTION in the government industry
which was set up in Washington and
oregon to supply airplane spruce.
Disque Gets Medal of Honor
The Hughes report passed lightly
over the spruce production program. as
outside the scope of the inquiry, but
cautioned that it "should be carefully
scrutinZed."
Dlsque was promoted to be a major
general by the War Department before
the armistice, and he was later pre-
sented with a Medal of Honor.
Inc Congressional committee report
dealing with aircraft production SAID
of Secretary of War Baker:
,Secretary Baker is properly charge
able with any success or failure Of
Americas aircraft program His Sc
lection at critical time for the i'm :
portant department of governmental
war activities by President Wilson
promised Official capacity. Whether
Mr.. Baker was equal to the demands $
of war must be determined from the
record. Men accepting public obliga-
tons are measured by that standard
and your committee has presented a
brief review of aircraft activities"