Evening star., 1924-02-06
RESENTS ATTACKS
ON AIR SERVICES
Wainwright Holds Nelson
Charges in House Based
on Misinformation.

Representative Wainwright OF New
terday afternoon in reply to attacks
made on the air services by Repre-
sentative Nelson Of Wisconsin. Janu
ary 20, declared he was sure Mr.. Nell
son would not lend himself to the
enterprise If he was aware that the
source of his information, or possibly
his misinformation. WAS tinS-d with
malice and animosity bred of the bit
terness OF disappointment"
Representative Nelson called for an
Investigation of the Army. Navy and
air mail services after making charg-
es which Mr.. Wainwright said SHOULD
not be lightly made
Not Oppose 10 Inquiry.
although 1 do not arise to in any
manner oppose the adoption of the
resolution, but on the contrary he
lieve that IN view OF his statements
all possible light should be turned on
to the transactions referred to-" de-
clared Mr.. Wainwright. Il feel that
the atmosphere OF TeprOach created
by his remarks should be modified by
certain facts and considerations"
The speaker said that Secretary of
the Navy Daniels and Secretary of
War Baker initiated steps which re-
suited in the formation OF the Manu-
facturers' Aircraft Association before
the United States entered the war,
and that this association and the
"cross license agreement were de-
clared; to be mot in contraventlon OF
the antitrust laws of the United
States" by Attorney General Gregory,
to whom the whole matter was sub
mitted for opinion.
The "air trust" declared Mr.. VAIN
wright. "has received no undue ia
vors from the present administrator;
Certain contractors as a result OF
audits, have already returned TO the
United States the sum OF Sl,Soe,goo
which they were overpaid and the
Department of Justice now has In
hand cases involving s32.oo0,0oo.
Depends on Government Business.
'The aircraft industry" continued
Representative Wainwright. lis alb
soiutely dependent for its support
well known that were 1t not for the
| contracts of the Army and Navy, and
to a much lesser degree the Post or
flee Department. this industry would
starve, for there is no such thing as
4 commercial demand for their product.
1.-The contractors working methods
have been checked by competent in
spectors and every precaution has been
| taken TO make certain that prices were
fair and just"
Defending contracts referred to by
Mr.. Nelson. Representative VAIN
| wright said $4,000 was not an excess
sive price for the largest motor ever
built for the air service. delivering
about 700 brake horsepower. and that
experimental plane contracts ordered
| from the Gallaudet Aircraft Corpora
| tion were Cancelled when the first one
produced did not meet expectations. In
this case the company was paid for
the actual cost of the plane and no
more.
COmmendS Gen. Patrick. =
Mr. Vain nwripht comm 6e6 Con
! Patrick. chief of the air service. and
the gallant officers of his command
4 for their untiring efforts to present
the actual aeronautical situation in
the United States. In conclusion he
urged that the military and naval
committees of the House be specially
| charged to inquire into air service
conditions and to formulate and pre-
sent to the House such joint pro-
gram as will provide for the proper
| development of the air force of the
United States. Let US be constructive,
and not merely destructive"