Evening star., 1925-03-06

national defense could be CO. ordi-
our financial ability.
Demands Careful study.
I'VE must all study this question
carefully and bring about a solution
will it insure the safety Of this coun-
try, but the saving of a great deal of
treasure and the esta blishment of
transportation lines through the air
which will further our interests and
our civilization more than any other
element. We who have labored in
sistently for the undermining of our
countrys institutions know this full
well
There have been few months that
have passed when an attempt has not
been made to dispense with my serv
ices. Before we sank the battleships
in 1921 and ushered in a new era in
national defense, it was tried strong
ly. Now, on the verge of further
battleship tests and more progress
sive work, conditions are similar to
what they were formerly. SO far s
l am concerned. | shall continue to
work for the benefit and improve
ment of everything that applies to
our national welfare | am extreme
ly proud of what the men in the air
forces have done in the furthering of
our national development, and with
the assistance of those who know
and will tell the truth to the people,
We shall accomplish great deal of
good for the country in the future
Disagrees With Program.
Gen. Mitchell. as chief exponent OF
the independent air force theory of
national defense, disclosed himself
during the recent congressional in
vestigation to be completely out of
harmony with War Department and
administration policy on nearly all
matters affecting the Air Service.
In the course of his testimony he
sharply criticized both the War and
Navy Departments with relation to
air service matters and Secretary
Weeks and his advisers have taken
the position that he could hardly be
he would be required to operate
under policies which he had openly
and emphatically challenged.
Col Fechets nomination is ex
pected to be sent to the Senate soon
by President Coolidge, Secretary
Weeks having recommended him for
the post after examination of the
records Oh all OT1cSTS OF suitable RANK.
Fechet Native OF Texas.
Col Fechet was born in Texas Au-
gust 81, 1877, and enlisted as a pri-
vate in the 9th Cavalry during the
war with Spain, April Is, 1898. He
became a second lieutenant in 1900
and has passed through the other
grades to his present rank in the
Regular Army. He participated in
the Santiago campaign, and was
wounded at the battle of San Juan in
1898 He also saw active service dur
ing the Philippine insurrection and
served with the punitive expedition
in Mexico in 1915.
Col Fechet is a qualified pilot, hav-
ing served continuously in the avia-
ton service since September, 1917.
He was appointed temporary lieuten-
ant colonel. aviation, at the outbreak
of the World War, promoted to tenn
porary colonel in 1918, his temporary
commission terminating in 1920, when
he was permanently transferred to
the Air Service. He stands third in
relative rank among the lieutenant
colonels of the Army Air Service.
During the World War he COM
manded successfully Scott Field, Carl
strom Field, Dorr Field and Kelly
Field, becoming Air Service officer of
the southern department in 1919 and
being transferred in 1920 as chief of