San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-03

Official Washington Thursday was
reported in press dispatches as
''writhing under the criticism" Of
Colonel William Mitchell's new book,
Winged Defense" and there was q
hint of further discipline for the
Flying Colonel"
Colonel Mitchell was denoted from
the rank of brigadier general, as as
sistant chief Of the army air service,
as the result Of his activity in bring
ing before the nation his plea for a
reorganization of the air service.
"This is but the beginning" Colonel
Mitchell declared Wednesday, when
first criticism of his book was re-
ported at Washington. Il hope the
army does take it up. 1t will give me
a better chance to bring this matter
before the American public" Colonel
Mitchell declares he has a new series
of articles on the same subject ready
for publication.
"hItANIS vi DElEhI
The United States actually has no
air force worthy of the name, Colonel
Mitchell says in the book.
"The time has come when aviation
must be developed for ayiation's sake
and not as an auxiliary to other exist
ing branches of the armed forces of
the nation" Colonel Mitchell wrote
in the preface to his book.
Unless the progressive elements
that enter into our makeup are avail
ed of, we will fall behind in the
worlds development"
"Winged Defense" is intended to
serve several purposes, Colonel Mitch
ell wrote. 1t is aimed to put into
organization of an air force and what
the national defense should be. Next,
to give the people in general book
which will supply them with facts
about aeronautical development. And
third, book to which the people in
the services, in the executive depart
ments and in Congress, can refer for
data on aviation which is modern and
which is the result of actual expert
ence, he wrote.
CHALLENGE ARMY, NAVY.
$50 many erroneous doctrines have
been enunciated about aviation by the
older services that see in the develop
mcnt Of air power the curtailment Of
their ancient prerogatives, privileges
and authority, that we consider it
time to challenge these proceedings
and to make our own views known"
Colonel Mitchell wrote in Winged
Defense"
"Aeronautics is such a new and rap
idly developing science that those con-
cerned in it have not the age, rank or
authority which, in the eyes of older
services. entitle them to speak," Col
onel Nj, hell charged
Most of the data that Congress
gets on the subject of aviation comes
from officers or agents who are not
actual aeronautical officers and who
have not come up through the mill of
aeronautical experience, both in war
and in peace.
SPEAK BY EXPERIENCE.
'"The airmen have gained their
knowledge by actual experience, not
by being members of an old. well-es.
tablished service that has gone on in
the same rut of existence for decades. y
Inefficiency of national military
aeronautics, undeveloped civil and
commercial aeronautics, and the cur.
tailed and interrupted experimentation
in aeronautics, the author wrote, are
direct result Of the lack of:
"a department of aerOnautics ia
handle the whole air question co-equal
with the army and navy; a definite
aeronautical policy; an organization
both military and civil, to fit the
aeronautical policy; n method of pro.
viding suitable personnel for all air
undertakings; single system of pro.
curement and supply for all air un.
dcrtakings: a system Of instruction
and inspection for all air elements.
SERVICE FOUNDERS.
until these fundamental principles
for the creation of air power are put
into effect. the air power of the United