New Britain herald., 1925-09-14
Mill Be Called as Expert Wit ness in Coming Aircraft
 Investigation
RODGERS DOES NOT WISH
 TO BE GIVEN LAND DUTY
Commander of PN-9 No. 1 Tells Sec. Wilbur He Prefers Active Sea Duty With Airplanes if Possible But He Will Accept Post in Case Department So Decides.


 mander John Rodgers of the PN-9 No. 1, appointed assistant chief of the bureau of aeronautics, advised Secretary Wilbur today that his per- sonal preference Is to remain on sea duty with airplanes.
 Commander Rodgers added, how ever, that he would accept the posi- ton, If In the opinion of the secre- tary, my services will be more valu- able in the department"
 The message was sent by Rodgers by radio from Honolulu. It convey ed the thanks of the crew of the PN-9 No. and his own apprecia- tion for the honor attached to my selection as assistant chief of the bu- roau."
 Mitchell to Testify
 At the time Mir. Wilbur was an- nouncing the personnel of the shen- andoah board, the war department made plans to have Colonel William Mitchell, chief figure in the whole controversy, available as an expert witness at the presidents special board, when that body begins its in quiry.
 The work of this board will sup plement that of the special Eoard of nine men appointed by President Coolidge to delve thoroughly into the broad question of the nations air policies, which has been the sub ject of bitter controversy since the Shenandoah disaster.
 The announcement of the person. nel of the board to investigate the Shenandoah crash came on the heels of a announcement of navy critics by Rear Admiral Moffett, chief of the navy bureau of aeronautics. Those On Board Those who will serve with Ad- miral Jones In conducting the in- quiry are Captain Frank H. Clark, aide to the assistant secretary: Cap tain Lewis B. Mcbride of the navy construction corps; Commander John H. Towers, Lieutenant Com mander Ralph C. Pennoyer, Captain Paul Foley, director of the experi- mental laboratory at Bellevue, D. C., and Lieutenant Commander M. R. Pierce. Captain Foley will be judge advocate of the court, and Lieu tenant Commander Pierce will be his adviser.
 It was explained at the war de- partment that neither disciplinary proceedings. which have been lniti- ated against Colonel Mitchell, nor his official duties as chief of air service in the eighth corps area would be permitted to interfere with his appearance before the special board.
 The war department will make 1t clear to the board that 1t does not wish to restrict in any way the testimony Colonel Mitchell may be asked to give and that the board itself will be the only body with power to control the scope of Its in quiry into the charges Colonel Mitchell has made.
 In connection with the announce ment of the policy in regard to Colonel Mitchell, 1t is known that Acting Secretary Davis of the war department, who first proposed that such an inquiry be held, would wei come a thorough airing of the charges against the departments air administration.
 Although Mir. Davis believes that the inquiry into the Mitchell charges will form but a part of the broad field to be covered, he nevertheless is of the opinion that, in the inter est of the army air service the mat ter should be fully investigated.
 If the presidential board should decide to call Colonel Mitchell, as Is thought most probable, Mir. Davis further would desire that his testi- mony be received at an open hearing because of the belief that charges that have been made against the air service from time to time since the war. and especially in the con- troversy stirred up in the last con- gress, has to some extent shaken public opinion in the service.
 Secretary Davis feels that his de- partment has received unjust criti- cism which it has been unable to answer adequately. With the assem- bling of the board, however, he be- lieves an opportunity to make that answer and to relieve public con- cern will be presented.
 The report from Major General Ernest Hines. commander of the eighth corps area, transmitting the formal answer made by Colonel Mitchell accepting responsibility for his San Antonio statement reached the war department today and was started on its way through the rou- tine channels.
 It probably will not reach Mir. Da- wis until Colonel George A. Nugent of the inspector generals depart ment. specially assigned to the case. is prepared to submit his recom- mendations as to disciplinary action, at which time Major General John L. Hines, chief of staff, will be ready to take the Mitchell incident up with the secretary for final action.
 Pending a study of the report by the inspector-generaTs office and the army legal authorities 1t will not be known whether a courtmartial shall be ordered for Colonel Mitch. ell on charges of insubordination.