New-York tribune., 1921-02-06
Cen. Mitchell Says Craft
Bearing 80 Flyers Each
Could Sink Enemy War
ships Far Out at Sea
Three Bills for
Fleet Promised
Oliver for $50, 200, 600
Vessels: Secret Brit
ish Progress Reported

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-First steps
of modern high speed airplane carriers
for the United States Navy were taken
to-day in Congress,
Senator Gerry, Democrat, of Rhode
Island, introduced an amendment to
the naval appropriation bill providing
for the construction of four such ves-
sells, to cost not more than $24,600,000
each. Before the House. naval COM
mittee, Representative Britten, Repub-
lican, of Illinois, and Representative
Oliver. Democrat, Alabama, announced
that they would present bills, each pro-
viding for two airplane carriers.
All of the naval officers and Briga-
dier General Mitchell, chief of opera
tions of the army air service, who
have been testfyinys before the House
committee for the last two days, have
stressed the Importance of obtaining
naval airplane carriers as soon as pos
sible. General Mitchell said to-day
that American aviation officers had lit
tie knowledge of the uses of the pro-
posed vessels because Great Britain,
the only available source Of informa-
ton, is keeping the data secret,
Would Divert Other Funds
Representative divers bill would
set s3O,O00,oO0 each as the limit Of
cost for the two carriers and would
provide that until money was appro-
priated for the vessels none of the fund
authorized for the great battleships
Massachusetts and Iowa, already un-
der contract, could be available. The
Britten proposal would divert s52,000,
600 already authorized for twelve de-
stroyers, one transport and six feet
submarines for the construction of the
two airplane carriers.
General Mitchell concluded his testi-
mony before the House committee to-
day in advocacy Of united air serv-
ice He told the members that the
plan would save the government money
and would place the air carrier service
under flying officers who would be in
terested in developing every possibil
ent conditions in both the army and
navy, he said, aviation is under officers
who are unsympathetic
Members of the Navy General Board
and Captain 7. I. Craven, director of
naval aviation, will present the navy's
side Of the case in opposition to the
proposed united service Monday.
Admirals Oppose Borah Plan
The Senate Naval Committee to-day
continued hearings on Senator Borah's
resolution to suspend naval building
for six months while experts study
types of ships. An unfavorable report
on the resolution has already been
mirals W. s. Simms and Bradley A.
Fiske, appearing before the committee
to-day in executive session, opposed
the resolution.
Appearing before the House Naval
Committee with a number of aides
General Mitchell urged immediate uni
tication of all army, navy and COM
mercial aerial activities and reiterated
his belief that the airship had made
capital naval vessels useless.
Members of the Navy General Board,
who have consistently combated the
idea of a united mir service. listened to
IeHefal MUcneIlS arguments with OBJ
vious impatience, awaiting their op-
portunity to present their arguments
in favor of the capital ship as against
the airplane.
General Mitchell urged the substitu
tion of enormous air and seaplane car
riers to accompany the light vessels of
the fleet in place of battlcships and
battle-cruisers.
Holds Aircraft Effective
81 think that with our present avia
tion facilities properly developed" he
asserted, Eve can sink any enemy YES
sci, armored or unarmored. that comes
within 200 miles of our coast. With
airplane carriers housing at least
thirty planes we could extend this area
far out to sea-"
Chairman Butler interrupted to re-
mark that he didn't think the people
could be interested in large expendi
lures for air forces until they knew
what had become of the money ap-
proprlated for aviation during the war.
"The people are determined to know
Continued On next paee)