The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-12-16
REASONS FOR
DEM0TI0N OF
MITCHELL OUT
Former Secretary Of War
Weeks Letter to Coolidge
Comes Into Trial

Washington, Dec. IG.--tP)-A let
ter written by John W. Weeks as sec
rotary of war, describing Colonel
William Mitchell as "lawless," unfit
for high administrative position, and
possessed of a desire for publicity at
the expense Of others, was presented
in evidence today at the Mitchell
court martial
Writing to President Coolidge, the
then secretary gave these as his rea-
sons for refusing to recommend that
Mitchell be reappointed assistant
chief Of the army air service with
the rank Of brigadier general.
The letter was presented to the
court by Major General Dennis f.
Nolan. assistant chief Of staff. the
last prosecution witness in the trial
of the air officer on charges result
ing from his public attacks OH the
government aviation policies. 1t gave
for the first time the war depart
ment'S side Of the story of Mitchell's
transfer last spring from Washing
ton TO an army post in Texas.
Desire For Publicity Great
General Mitchell's whole course
a
the building up Of an efficient organ
izatiOn. so lacking in team work. so
indicative of "A desire for publicity
at the expense Of everyone with whom
he is associated" wrote Mr.. Weeks.
that his actions make MIN unfit for
high administrative position such as
he now holds
The secretary said he wrote the
Lott S,.-t. l..
is a gallant officer with an excellent
war record" but he add I'd:
His record since the var has been
such that he has forfeited the good
opinion of those who are familiar
promote the best interests Of ma
tional defense
Mr.. Weeks continued that General
Mitchell had testified before the
house aircraft committee early this
year that 1--WE had but 10 planes fl,
for war service" when there were
las d matter Of fact" 823 airpIanes
actually in use and 1863 in storage.
Statement Misleading
"All this the letter said, "was
well known to General Mitchell when
| he apparently .ndeayored 10 startl.
| the country by testifying that W.
had but IS planes fit for war ser
! vice, at the same time making no rea
| sonable explanation Of the nuinbe,
Of planes on hand and their condi
| ton"
The war secretary told the prezi
dent that Mitchell knew that the goa
| Of the war department was TO gecl
| an appropriation Of 10000 800 :
| year for 10 years for air construc
ton and pay for 4 1000 officers, in
Guiding regervr., and $4,000 enliste'
men.
II think ough. to add" NJ
Weeks said. that in my judgmen
the organization Of the air aeryic
as provided in war department plan
and policies, is sound"
Weeks Instructions
| After saying that the air office
had given the country the impress
sion that officers of the army ar
muZZled," the secretary repeated hi
instructions in this connection q
follows:
Recognizing the undetermined va!u
Of aviation in warfare and wishing I
obtain the judgment Of anybody an
everybody whose judgment is cntitle
to cohside ration, the best interest q
the nation will be served by cncour
aging officers in an Unrestricted an
full discussion Of all points reIatin
to aviation. In testifying bcfor
congressional committees, IL thei
views are contrary TO the views q
the war department, they will stat
to the committee thai they are no
speaking FOR the department polio
but are expressing their own persona
views, and should do 50 without res
tervation."