The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-09-17
AIR INQUIRY
C0NYENES AT
WHITE HOUSE
President Coolidge Calls Air
Investigation to
Order
MAY CALL MITCHELL
Special Board Will Define
Scope of Probe Into Air
Defense

Washington. Sept. l7.-(R-
Colonel William Mitchell, air
chief at San Antonio probably
will be a chief witness before
the Naval court which Is to in.
CURRY into the wrecking of the
Naval airship, Shenandoah.
II will be the purpose to
ask him to subtantiate his pub.
lished charge that the accident
70 the Shenandoah was q direct
result of "the incOmpetency,
criminal negligence and almost
reasonable administr ration Of
the national defense by the Navy
and War departments"
Investigation looking to
possible court martial of the
former assistant chief of the
army air service Is now being
conducted by the War depart
ment, but officials have made it
clear that this inquiry will not
interfere with, the calling of Nit
chell as q witness either before
the Shenandoah inquiry or the
presidents special aircraft board.
Washington, Sept. 17.-(R-The
special board appointed by President
Coolidge to inquire into the air
craft situation organized today with
the selection Of Dwight W. Morrow
New York financier as chairman. ,
Arthur c. Denison, of Grand Ra:
pids, Michigan, was chosen vice
chairman Of the board. and William
F.. Durand of Los Angeles secretary
Holding its first meeting at the
White House, all nine members OF
the board conferred with the Presi.
dent, who presented briefly his
views. After nearly two hours Of
discussion behind closed doors, the
board recessed for luncheon en-
gagement with the President and
arranged to meet later in tn day.
Discuss Scope
In n statement issued after the
morning conference, Mr.. Morrow said
further announcements would be
made after the board had an oppor-
tunity to discuss the scope of its
work and had adopted final plans
for conducting the investigation.
President Coolidge gave the board
the widest latitude in adopting the
course it is to pursue. He holds the
nine members must determine large
be summoned and the nature of the
testimony to be received.
The president had prepared no
statement of his opinions and his ad-
dress was delivered extemporaneous-
ly.
Washington. Sept. 17.-(R-The
much debated question of the ade-
of al r
ed another stage today with the con-
vening at the White House of the
special board appointed by President
Coolidge to investigate the subje
BY calling the nine board members
into conference at II a. m. Mr.. Cool
idge let lit be known that he was
prepared to take a hand in the bitter
controversy which broke in Con-
gress early last winter and now has
been sharply revived by critics OF
the Army and Navy air service ad-
ministrations.
The board was closeted together TO-
day for purposes of organization,
including the selection of chair
man, and to map out procedure In
the immense task confronting it.
Define Scope
In laying out its course Of work,
it is known the President feels that
the board must decide for itself
largely what scope the inquiry shall
take, particularly as relating to de-
finite criticisms of the two air SER
vice administrations.
After the conference, the members
also were invited to luncheon at the
White House, but following that en-
gagement the board had the remand
err of the day for its initial study
of the situation.
Mr.. Coolidge is known to feel that
the board should hold sessions in
full view of the public. except at
such times as it may touch upon con-
fidential matters pertaining to the
national defense.
The President has left entirely
within the judgment of the board
the advisability Of calling Col. Will
liam Mitchell, central figure in the
controversy who since he first ap-
peared before special house air
craft committee in the last Congress,
has kept up an almost continuous
verbal attack on the air policies OF
the War and Navy departments.