Evening star., 1925-09-18

from its sincerity. For these reasons
they expressed the hope TODAY that
the Army pilot would be omitted from
the list of witnesses.
II was after o'clock before the
Inaugural meeting Of the board broke
UP yesterday. With the exception Of
an hour while the members were at
luncheon in the White House with
the President. the committee had been
in continuous session since II Am
And one White House attache laugh
inely declared the committeeman were
81 senHrossed in their work that they
We're almost unpardona bly, late ar
rictnE for the luncheon.
There was little for Mr.. Morrow to
say when he left the cabinet room Of
the Executive Offices. The entire day
had been occupied as " had been ex:
pected It would be. by orga MIA tion
Mr.. Morrow explained that it WAS
stih too early definitely to determine
who would he summoned to aid the
board in its investigation Of the air
craft situation. He said this matter
would be discussed between now and
Monday and gave out the following
Official statement:
sThe hearings Of the board will be
m1ttee on interstate and foreign
commerce
!. Hearings Open to Public.
''They will he open to the public.
IT. is expected that they will begin
next MONDAY The hearings will
proceed along the following line: The
board plans to hear. first. the repre-
sentatives of the air services. of the
Army, Navy and post Office as to
their present condition. orGa nization.
equipment, mission and the rels ton
of the services to each other.
The board expects thereafter 70
invite numerous witnesses. including
Col Mitchell, to appear before them
with criticisms and constructive sus-
gestions"
The wording OF this statement.
carefully prepared in the presence Of
the entire board and given TO the
newspa per men by Mr. Morrow only
In his Official capacity as chairma n.
defnitely indicates that there will be
no lettering of Col Mitchell when he
answers his summons. He may offer
both criticisms and constructive sug-
Eestions" and his testimony Is likely
TO prove of highly sensational
character.
Formal announcement that the
former assistant air chief would he
given his day" elected no surprise
in Official circles. AS matter Of
fact, the War Department. is known
to- welcome the action. Although
Acting Secretary Dwight w. Davis
made no comment. IL ia common
knowledge that he is bending over
backward trying to give Col
Mitchell every possible latitude in the
present controversy
The question of finances caused
some interest here today. No an
nouncement has been made as TO how
the aircraft, board will pay for the
large stenosraphic and clerical force
II will need TO conduct the exhaustive
investigation that is supposed 10 he
planned for It. Furthermore. 1t has
heen customary in the past for com.
mlttees OF such national importance to
be supplied with special legal advisers
to assist them in their investigation.
No Counsel Retained.
Whether or not this committee will
he, supplied such assistance has not
been stated. hut II is accepted as GER
tain that no special counsel has heen
retained thus far. The aircraft com.
nnittee has an. overwhelming task to
accomplish in an incredibly short time.
The President is anxious to have it's
report by the end of November That
gives II only trif1e more than two
months to complete its work.
Under such circumstances. the boa I'd
may soon be faced by the necessity Of
employing expensive assistance or
facing the alternative Of narrowing
the scope Of its work. President Cool.
idge is anxious that this inquiry shall
he sweeping and 1t is believed that
when the proper time comes sufficie Mt
funds will be found to assure the
board any and all of the outside help
it may justly need.