Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-09-09
INSTRUMENTATION AND
AVIATION

There are some, Wno dPPSo' W
horn with an aptitude for assuming
to contribute to progress atter .nS
IA shion Of a burr under the saddle
with the result that they create more
OF comnaotion than of motion toward
a definite goal. Col. William MUCH
ell. lately denoted from brigaoler
general and assistant chief OF the ale
service. may prove to be one OF these
without information as to the de-
tails of the disasters which beteil
the Shenandoah and P Ms ne pro-
ceeds to declare these to be the re-
suits of '9ncompetency, criminal
negligence and almost reasonable
administration"
He is of record as striving for a
department of defense divided INTO
three parts. land. sea and air. ana
IN nursuit Of this-and possibly per-
sonal ambition-he evidently intends
to compel the department to consid-
er his charges. If these be found to
ha exaggerated, unreasonable ana
unjust then should Colonel Mitchell
be relegated to the limbos OF reck-
less defamers. Such offenders 90 a
vast amout Of mischief in this world
setting their ambitions or jealousies
above the common veal. Whether
Colonel Mitchell be one OF these OF
whether in this fashion he is hasten
ing an examination greatly needed
remains to be proved.
Development Of aviation is such a
tremendous undertaking when con-
sidered in its entirety that it would
be. silly to suppose it could be
brought about without mistakes and
in accord with all the wishes OF en-
thusiasts. profteers and demagogues.
to say nothing Of honest and sane
differences Of opinion. On the other
hand it cannot be permitted to SUI
fer. from mal-administration in high
places. from corruption or favoritism
il way may be found for getting at
the truth. Congressional investiga-
lions are so subject to political In
fluences and exigencies as to be un-
to a discouraging de-
gree.
Colonel Mitchell. as an officer OF
the army and subject to army dis
cipline, has disregarded the orders OF
his superiors in the most dramatic
display of INSTRUMENTATION conceiv-
able. It does not seem possible for
the Department to overlook this,
even II 1t desired to do so. II it pro-
ceeds to do that which manifestly
must be done to maintain order 1t
will be at the risk Of seeming to
make Mitchell martyr. a role which
possibly he would like to enact. II
he be let off with a reprimand from
his superiors 1t is possible the pub
lie would conclude this mild treat
ment constituted avoidance Of scan
dal. The other alternative for the
would be court martial.
He may be charged with conduct I'M
becoming an officer or conduct to the
prejudice of good order and disci-
pline. II convicted under the first Of
these charges he would be subject to
dismissal from the service, indeed 1t
is said there would be no option un-
der the first charge, but If convicted
under the second charge then it
would be within the province of the
court to fix the sentence. Either
sentence would require the approval
of the Commander in chief, the Pres
ident. Moreover the accused would
have the benefit Of counsel with OPP
portunity to cross-examine witness
es. Indeed at a court martial such
facts as might be brought out would
stand a better chance Of being COM
prehensible than such facts brought
out in congressional investigation.
The latter is pretty sure to come
anyway. A noticeable itching to
start it has been noticeable for some
time.
Considering all the controversy
and charges it seems that an in
vestigation of some sort, which may
bring out the essential facts, is need
ed. That had it may then be pos
sible to determine whether the efforts
OF Colonel Mitchell to change the ad-
ministration of aviation constitute as
a whole genuine. helpful service to
his country. We cannot think that
the manner of making some of his
charges should ever be commended.