The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-09-24
Testifying Before Board
Secretary Davis Outlines
Army Position.
IS NOW BELOW PAR
Admits that Present Equip
ment for Air Defense
Is Inadequate.

Washington, ID. c. a. Inc
American people were assured today
by acting Secretary of War Davis
that there is no treason to be
panicky about the condition of the
army air service
Testifying as the first witness be-
fore the presidents air board, Mr..
Davis broadly outlined the policy of
the army air department and pointed
to the successful world fight by army
planes as one achievement which has
proved its right to public confidence"
"The amount of equipment is made
quate," he said, "but this is controlled
by funds available, while its per-
sonnet although somewhat limited,
is unexcelled by any air service in
the world"
Mr.. Davis, who first urged appoint
ment of the board pledged the full
cooperation of the war department in
the inquiry and said that if during
the investigation charges were made
against its administration he would
welcome an opportunity to re-sppear
and answer them.
Welcomes the People.
"The war department" Mr.. Davis
said, welcomes this inquiry into the
air defenses of the country by this
board Of disinterested citizens. Ma
tional defense is sacred trust of all
the people. They have the right to
know whether appropriations are being
wisely and economically expended and
whether the defenses of the country
are planned, organized and equipped
in the most effective manner.
"In the consideration of this vitality
important subject honest differences
of opinion naturally arise. They ex-
list within the war department itself
as you will undoubtedly hear today
and the proper expression of honest
convictions is to be encouraged. The
war department impugns the motives
of no critics; it has the right to de.
mand the same fair dealing for itself
1t seeks to keep an open mind on al
debatable questions, to adopt any con
structive suggestions which it can ap
prove, to improve the service wherever
its means will permit.
Wants the Hard Facts"
Elm carrying out it's DESTROYS respon
sibility for the national defense, it is
morally bound to insist that mere as.
sertions must be backed up by hard
facts, that due considerations must
be given to the costly experience OF
the past in weighing speculations a:
to the future, that change for the
sake of change alone is unjustifiable
If we here are actuated by the same
fundamental motive, that patriotic de.
sire to safeguard our common herit
age, we may honestly differ as to the
ways and means of accomplishment
In such q discussion there is M
place for passion, personalities OF
prejudices. In that spirit we vel.
come this inquiry.
in behalf of the war department,
am glad to offer the board of aviation
inquiry every assistance in our pow
er. / believe that the board wants
sense, not sensations; facts, not
fancies; arguments, not mere asser
tions. All studies, records and re-
ports. whether public, confidential oil
secret, are at your disposal Officers
enlisted men and employees will ap
pear before you if and when desired
and will testify fully, freely anc
frankly. There has not been, is not
now, and will not be, any 'muzzling
Of army officers in the expression Of
their individual opinions. In your
constructive program the war depart.
ment will cordially cooperate.
personally have long felt that such
ar inquiry is essential.
States the General Policy.
"At this hearing l will confine my
self to general statements of policy
leaving the details to be elaborated by
the military and technical experts.
"In general, / believe that our per-
sonnet is at least equal in skill, hardi-
hood and bravery to that of any other
nation. The equipment is inadequate
in numbers and part of it, built during
the war, unsatisfactory in condition
a situation which is gradually i'm
proving. This condition is due sole
ly to lack of money and can be rene
died only by money. That our tech
nical and research work is satisfac-
tory is evidenced by the fact that the
army air service holds an extraordin
arily large percentage of world rec,
ords in aviation.
"The efficiency of the whole serv
ice was strikingly shown by the sue
cess of the roundthe-world flight, &
triumph of organization as we'll a.
flying skill. Trainings entirely il
the hands of the flying service itself
under broad general policies and the
chief of the air service will discus:
the subject later. A detailed state.
ment of current appropriations will
also be given. The whole government
appropriations are insufficient to car
ry out the approved war department
program, but that situation exists il
other services as we'll. Within tn,
department the air service ap
preparation in recent years has beer
constantly favored, some times at tn,
expense of other services. To sun
up, after fairly intimate association
with them for three years, do not
hesitate to assert that our air serv.
ice officers and men are competent
efficient, loyal and patriotic.
Follow Preparedness Program.
In peace, the primary mission OF
the air service, as of all the other
services, is to carry out the injunction
of our first commander-in-chief, George
Washington: In time of peace, pre-
pare for war This is accomplished
by: