Evening star., 1925-11-09

Department to tow targets for anti.
aircraft practice. This reduced the
efficiency OF the bombafdment group
by rendering bombing training i'm
possible.
"In q public demonstration that
somewhat simulated actual conditions
the aircraft reached their objective
and delivered their blow before de-
lection.
1--WE will prove by evidence that the
Navy Department and its representa-
deprecate the potentialities Of aerial
bombardment.
Il. BY permitting the public to get
the impression that an attacking force,
composed principally Of an attacking
fleet and a landing force, had cap
tured the Hawaiian Islands.
''2. BY leading the public to be-
lieye through the public utterances of
it's officers that the battleship was still
supreme, and that aviation is only an
auxiliary,
"3. BY conducting an anti-aircraft
test at q speed so slow that no air
plane In the world could demain aloft.
and then announcing the result OF
the hits made under these unreal con-
ditions to show the effectiveness OF
anti-aircraft fire from surface vessels.
"a. BY issuing q statement on the
accidents to the Shenandoah and Pms
to the effect that these accidents to
aircraft demonstrated that in the pres
ent state of the development of air
craft the United States need have no
fear Of attack by aircraft from
abroad.
President Calls Board.
strated that aircraft can remain at
sea for days without help from sur
face craft: that with the Pacific heet
available for the purpose they tailed
to find the Pho No. in their search:
that the accuracy and hence the ef-
fectiveness of bombardment is devel-
oping more rapidly than defensive
measures.
I'VE will prove by evidence that the
War and Navy Departments. when
their attention was forced to this mat
ter by the issuance of the statements
for which Col. Mitchell Is now on trial.
recommended to the President that ex-
actly such an investigation as Is out
lined in the statements be made.
THE President of the United States
constituted q board exactly as specihed
In Col. Mitchell's statement to study
the question.
Says Every Means Used.
1--WE will prove by evidence that
Col. Mitchell, after exhausting every
usual means to safeguard the aerial
defense Of the United States, without
result, took the only way possible
that would cause a study of the true
conditions of the national defense TO
be made.
That Col. Mitchell made numerous
recommendations looking toward the
improvement of aeronautical condi-
tions and bringing about full de-
velopment of aviation tactics and
equipment; very few of which, if any.
were ever acted on"
a long list then was given by
Representative Reid. dating from 1919
annually until the present.
I'VE will prove by evidence that
the bulk Of the equipment in the
Army Air Service at the present time
Is either obsolete or obsolescent; all
the De Haviland planes now in use
have wings that were made in war
time, seven or more years ago.
"A total Of l ,S20 planes Is used by the
War Department in computing the
strength of the United States in air
craft, Of which 406 are standard and
well suited for their purpose, minus
Of these were built in wartime, seven
or more years ago, leaving 1863; 1868
planes are substitutes or obsolete; 20
per cent of Army Air Service planes
are fit for service and so per cent of
these We're made in wartime, seven or
more years ago. leaving II per cent fit
for service, or 200.
Only So Modern Planes.
Only So planes are modern, up.to.
date and designed for the purpose for
which they are intended, and 60 are
being used for training purposes, leav-
ing 8 available for use against an
The planes that crashed in the 1924
air races. killing Lieut.. Pierson and
Capt. Skeel, had been in storage from
one to two years and had deteriorated
in storage.
Towing targets in anti-aircraft tests
has prevented the bombardment group
from practice.
THE number Of personnel in the pur-
suit group Is not even up to peace
time standard.
Throughout the whole United
States there have never been sufficient
pilots in the pursuit group to carry on
tactical training.
THE number of officers in the tao.
tical units has never been anywhere
| near up to even peace-time require
mentS.
The development of tactical avia-
ton has been retarded by the War De.
partment by putting Air Service off.
GERS on work not connected with train.
| ing.
THE general staff officers controlling
! aviation policies are not qualified by
training or experience for this lob. II
And the statement concluded:
| The War Department refuses to an.
prove recommendations by the Army
Air Service for gunnery practice"