New-York tribune., 1920-03-07

AeCVeu ny OieQu0 TO get cut lumber
and three OF these, who got $55, ,000, 900
IN contracts, knew nothing about lum-
ber!ng. The only contractor with any
fered with by under officers sent him
by Disque SO that three. months were
lost and S0,000,000 feet Of logs pre-
vented from reaching the market
Others IN charge of the air program
including John D. Ryan, Colonel Deeds
and W. G. Potter, were complained of
By Mr.. Frear for Jack Of experience
in numbering operations, which he
charged resulted in waste Of much
money.
Representative Lea, discussing the
report, told the House that the criti-
cisms made by Republican committee
groundless conclusions" Answering
Representative Magee, of New York, as
to the net, results of Americas effort in
aviation during the war, he declared
that the Republican members state
ment of planes sent to the front was
only fraction of the truth.
More Machines Available
"The 213 machines at the front, de-
sent the American production," de-
clared Mr.. Lea, represent only one
part Of the number of
machines owned by America during the
war.
america had 213 American built
planes on the front the day Of tne
armistice, but they were only part of
528 American built machines available
at the front on that day. She had 1920
service planes available for use at the
front when the armistice was signed.
-Four hundred and seventeen American
built planes went over the German bat
tie lines.
"This is the first Investigation that
found nothing but faults" continued
Mr.. Lea, referring to various inquiries
into the aircraft program conducted
during and since the war. "The Ameri-
maintenance Of Allied air craft at the
front and finally led to Allied predomi-
nance by more than 100 per cent"
Mr.. Lea declared that the Allies, who
paid two-tkirds of the airplane lumber
bill, Commended the American produc-
ton in complimentary terms"
Calls Action absurd Injustice
"The attempt of the majority" he
said. "to pick out few heads Of air
craft agencies and hold them RESPONSE
BILE for disappointments in the Ameri-
can program is unwarranted by facts
and an absurd injustice. In so far as
we failed TO accomplish in military
aviation alI that we could intelligently
expect, the. reason is plain as the sun
in the sky. 1t was inexperience and
lack Of preparation"
Representative Lea said that the
business foresight of Colonel Disque.
under Mr.. Ryan, absolutely assured
spruce for 1919," after the Allied air
program had been on the verge of fail
ure on account of the lack of lumber.
This explained, he said, the expendi-
lures for development of the lumber
industry, including railroad construc-
ton to reach the timber.
Criticism of Mr.. Ryan by Republican
committeeman was said by Mr.. Lea to
be due to the route of the road built
by the Stems Carey Kerbaugh corpora
ton, the selection of which, he assert
ed. was on "strictly business basis"
although it incurred the opposition of
selfish interests favoring other routes.
Clash Barely Averted
Representative Garrett, Democrat, of
Tennessee, a minority member of the
committee, was narrowly averted sew
eral minutes after the chairman be-
gan to speak. Mr.. Frear charged Gar
rett With making false statements con-
cerning him yesterday in the House
and the Tennessee member started
toward Frear. Several Democrats
blocked the way and Mr.. Garrett then
asked that Frear's charges be reported
to the House. After the report was
made Mr.. Frear said he desired ''to
absolve Mr.. Garrett from making such
statements"