The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-09-17
UP IN THE AIR
COST IS HIGH
Took Lots of Money but
All Will Declare Its
Worth the Price

Observation-Disclosures of Gov
ernor Cox to divert attention from
Democratic waste of $2,7O0, 900, 00t
in war expenditures under the VIII
son administration by preventing thu
facts in regard to his $4,000, 00t
Republican campaign fund charge II
not proving successful.
This stupendous sum Of waste and
extravaganza is the total Of the many
evidences of Democratic incompe
tency during the war period. Taken
together with the $2,40O,00O,OO
saved by the. subsequent Republican
congress in one year, they represen,
the difference between Democratic
and Republican rule.
Democratic members of congress
have been sneering at the work OF
the war department expenditures
committee of fifteen which did the
great work Of unearthing waste, but
so far they have not attempted to
explain the figures themselves. The
committee itself, however, has taken
the view that political parties are
nothing IL not check upon each
other so that the facts may be
brought out for the guidance Of the
voters, and that the total Of Demo-
cratic extravaganza is sufficient
cause for reputation at the polls in
November. t@ @ s
The committees report itself
throws considerable light on the
subject. 1t says: Members of con-
gress get their commission direct
from the people, and in any pains
taking congressional Investigation Of
public expenditures the facts are
sought and given to those who ulti-
mately pay the bills. Critics who
question the expense of investiga-
tions are often influenced by motives
other than public money expendi-
lures, but they are reminded that
directions to incur such expense
came from unanimous vote of the
house. All the combined five SUBJ
committee expenditures will not be
100000. The subcommittee on
aviation offers the record as an evil
dence of how little was realized by
the government from $1,000, OOO,-
900 obstensibly expended for air.
craft.
Experience in prior investiga-
lions has disclosed whitewash re-
ports, and Efforts to smother or dis
credit anything rejecting upon the
war department. In an effort to dis
tract public attention from the find
ings of fact reached by Justice
Hughes and the Thomas committee,
apologists from indefensible inef-
fiency and extravaganza may seek to
mislead public opinion and endeavor
to confuse the situation by reflections
upon the committee which was un-
animously, selected by the house to
get the facts. Such methods strik-
lngly illustrate a course of procedure
adopted in responsible quarters of
trying to minimize anything affect
ing the air service, war department
Or administration. No honest or re-
outable member of congress can af-
ord to take such position, and the |
committee presents the hearings,
testimony and report as conclusive |
evidence in support of the findings |
unlimited.
Helpful suggestions regarding pit
alls in future aviation construction
ire made in the report by the COM
nittee, which says:
Adequate appropriations, wisely |
are necessary to put
America to the front where she be-
ongs. The imperative necessity for
his policy must be apparent to all
vho have studied the constantly in
reasing scope of aeronautics. Co.
operation with and encouragement
0 inventors and manufacturers and
. broad, intelligent policy is de-
Practically all other coun-
les have adopted this course and
'urs must not fail at this crucial
'eriod to do so. ,,r
The future of aviation is beyond
'ur present dreams or understand
ng, and our government must do