Evening star., 1925-09-14
The Aviation Inquiry.


President Coolidse's action in APP
pctnting committee TO investigate
the Governments Air Service require
nents takes this question for the
present out Of controversy and sepa.
rates it distinctly from the issue Of
Cot. Mitchells INSTRUMENTATION, which
is being met by the War Department
The Secretary Of the Navy and the
Acting Secretary OF War Jointly re-
auested this inquiry, thereby demon
str&tins that there is now no breach of
opinion between them on the score Of
the policy or scope of the desired in
vestigation. ,s.s
In his selection of members the
President fas chosen a strong, capa-
BILE committee representative OF the
Army and Navy. Congress and the
public through highly qualified and ex-
pert technieians. These nine men are
well and favorably known to the peo-
pie. That they will make a searching
and impartial inquiry is assured.
Their conclusions will command con-
hdence.
1t does not follow that this commit
tees work precludes or estops an in
quiry by Congress either jointly or
conducted by each house. The ques-
tion is certain to be considered by Con.
sress. 1t may accept the findings and
conclusions Of the Presidents commits.
sion Or it may proceed with it's own
investigation into aviation disasters
and policies. Indeed, House commit
tee. is even now studying air defense,
the aircraft industry and commercial
aviation for report at the next session
The President in his letters to the
executives of the War and Navy De-
par'tments indicates that he had ap-
proved last Spring of the suggestion
Of broad inquiry into the best means
OF developing and applying aircraft in
national defense, in order that a re-
port might be laid before him for his
information and for the use OF Con-
gress. Nevertheless the conclusion
will be generally reached by the coun.
try that this present action is pre-
cipitated by Col. Mitchells published
criticisms of the Government 8 avia.
ton policies and practices. Certainly
ever since the Shenandoah disaster
and the utterance of Col. Mitcheli's
criticisms and charges the subject has
been inescapable. 1t was inevitable
that some procedure be started to de.
ternine the exact conditions and to
afford guidance for future policy
Evidence Of the Presidents skill in
executive management appears in the
joining Of requests for this inquiry by
the heads of the two departments.
A division of opinion had been pre-
viously developed. The Acting Secre-
tary of War urged a full inquiry, ex-
tending beyond the purely military
question of Col. Mitchelrs insubordi-
nation The Secretary Of the Navy, it
was clearly evidenced, favored CON
centraion at this time upon the ques-
ton of discipline, leaving for some
later occasion the inquiry into policies
and practices. The joint letter of re.
quest may be attributed to President
Coolidge's diplomacy.
The appointment of this commission
has cleared the air. 1t assures the
country a full research. 1t may be
hailed by partisans of Col. Mitchell as
4. vindication of his charges and
criticisms. That does not follow.
Much that he has claimed and charged
has been refuted. His insubordinate
attitude has been strongly condemned
by public opinion. regardless of the
merits Of the questions involved. AS
was stated at the outset, there are
two quite distinct issues in this mat
ter, one of discipline and one of fact.
Tho War Department is attending to
the former. and the Presidents COM
mission, it is confidently expected, will
sa satisfactorily attend to the latter.