New Britain herald., 1925-09-28
Major Kilner, Execu. tive Officer, Endorses Separate Corps For Army Knows of Dissatisfaction Among Aviators.
Need of Higher Ranking Officers Expressed - General Patrick Prepar- ing Statement Along Same Lines.

Washington, Sept. 2S R)-Resum- ing its inquiry into the aircraft prob- lem today the presidents special board was told at the outset that army red tape hindered the work of the army air service and that oper- ations of the service should be en- trusted to flying men.
 Major Walter G. Kilner, executive officer of the air service, was the first witness, and he declared that difficulties confronting the service were not Of personalities, but of organization. The chief Of the air service, he held, should at all times be empowerde to direct the actlvi- ties of his men.
 Separate Air Corps.
 Heading a long list of army aW- ators to be heard, including Colonel William Mitchell, who Is fighting for a unified air service, Major kilner said at the beginning that he favored a separate air corps in tho army, such as that favored by Major Gen. eral Patrick, chief of the service.
 Have you any constructive sug- eestions?" continued Senator Blng- ham.
 "Yes. Turn the air service over to flicrs themselves"
 Major Kilner then read pre- narcd statement setting forth the functions of the air service in war fare. in which he avowed that pur- suit and bombardment presented 'an air problem that only air men can develop" The witness said he understood that General Patrick, who Is chlet or the service, was preparing state ment setting forth his position and that he believes this would express his views better than he could.
 uows of Dissatisfaciont
 Do YOU know of any dissatisfac- ton among air officers?" he was asked,
 Yes" replied Kilner.
 The slowncss of action on aircraft matters, he said, and the apparent lack of comprehension of air prob lens are the chief cause of dissats' faction among the air personnel.
 Example of Hindrance
 As an example of "hindTance, h' said, the present air organization placed upon the work of the service Maior Kilncr said that 1t required the army air service one year and sl' days 10 get funds for the Worlt flight. Three weeks, he said. wa spent in getting permission to sent 8 squadron of airplanes from Sell ridge field, Mich, to Miami, Fla
 senator Bingham of Connecticu asked if the problem was "materia or personnel?"
 "Fersonnnl," the witness answered adding. "our planes are good and ." have the best pursuit planes in tn wNrld."
 Major Kilner said that the thre aior causes for dissatistactio among air officers resulted from tn air service failing to receive prope consideration from the war depart mcnt. the handicap of having man officers of junior rank and hecaus the air officers were not given pro motion list separate from other arm units.
 Under questioning, he said thi ( air service matters frequently Wer handled by junior officers in confer ence with major and brigadicr ger erals and consequently the air ser ice viewpoint did not carry as muc weight as did the opinions Of tf higher officers.
 Major Ralph Royce. in charge the primary school at Brooks tiel San Antonio, Texas, the second wi < ness. also declared that the lack higher ranking officers caused muC dissatisfaction in the air service. en phasizing that the junior office f could not carry sufficient weight presenting air matters 10 superior
 Major Royce said that one of ol class of 100 West Point cadets ie ' than eighty passed the air servi rhvsical examination. In reply to question he said that living cond lions at the Brooks field tratnil school were inadequate. and the II ing conditions doplorable. "We are doing 1925 work with 1917 establishment" he added. Major Royce declined to eXpre an opinion on the advisability or department of national defense u der which a subsecretary would
 in charge of all air activities, sa ing he had been too busy to stu the proposal thoroughly. No Interest In Planes "Year before lest" he said. "l inspected by eleven generals not 0 of whom looked at single plane
 my field"
 What were they interested In asked Senator Bingham.
 "Clothirg and barracks; they to my word on equipment"
 "1 do think" added Major Roy
 i've are in need of inspection by
 officers
 Major Royce testified that in
 air service. reutcnants were ssstg1
 10 the work Of captains. and Il
 captains were doing work that n