Evening star., 1925-09-19
DAVIS TO DISCLOSE
ENTIRE AIR POLICY
. TO INQUIRY BOARD
Wilbur Expected to Bare Me-"
Data Tuesday on TAX
ing Stand.
HANDICAP TO PROBERS
SEEN IN LACK OF FUNDS
High Army and Navy Officers to
Accompany Chiefs to Aid
in Testifying.

With plans completed for calling
the first witness in the investigation
into Americas air defenses, the Pres
dents board of inquiry rested today
preparatory to its first public session.
beginning at 1890 o'clock Monday
morning, in the rooms Of the House
committee on domestic and foreign
commerce.
The three or four members Of tn
board who appeared 1t the commit
tees headquarters at all this morn
ing confined their work to furthel'
study of the reports of previous air
craft inquiries, supplied by the Nav
Department and the House files. y"
further organization matters require
attention at this time.
Davis First Witness.
II is now definite that the first wit
ness to appear before the board Mon
day morning will be Acting Secretary
of War Dwight F. Davis, out of
whose suggestion several weeks ago
the present inquiry grew. Mr.. Davis
was formally invited TO appear late
yesterday.
Although it was announced that
Secretary of the Navy Wilbur would
be the next witness, a number of high
Army officers probably will appear
with Mr.. Davis. Their testimony at
this time, however, probably will be
regarded as part of Mr.. Davis state
ment, az they will be called upon only
to supply information on questions
the Acting Secretary might not be
cOrnDetent TO answer.
1t is understood that one of the Off
GERS who will accompany Mr.. Davis
20 the hearing will be Maj Gen.
Patrick. chief of the Army Air Serv-
ice, under whom Col. William Mitchell
served as assistant chief; Maj. Gen.
John L. Hines, chief of staff OF the
Army, and Brig, Gen. Hugh A. Drum,
assistant chief of staff. Others may
be included in the list later.
Secretary Davis will be given the
entire of Monday TO complete his testi-
mony. He intends to describe to the
board the Arny's entire policy of ad-
ministration of the Air Service. He
has frequently expressed a desire to
bare his department policies, which
were so vigorously attacked by Col.
Mitchell in his assault on the entire
program of air defense following the
Shenandoah disaster.
Wilbur to Testify Tuesday.
Before the hearings are completed
it is likely Maj. Gen. Patrick will be
invited to testify on his own behalf.
In addition, it is believed highly prob
able Mr.. Davis himself will seek an
other opportunity to be heard after
the investigation has developed some
tangible results. The War Depart
ment plans to place its personnel at
=, - 81 riy,on
Secretary Wilbur will take the stand
Tuesday. He intends to submit to the
board additional reports to substanti-
ate those he took to the House Office
Building yesterday, containing re-
port of the special board of inquiry
convened by the Navy last Winter to
determine the relative value of battle
ships, submarines and aircraft. In the
report the board declares the battle
ship is still the first line of defense.
Mr.. Wilbur, too, will be accom-
panied by staff officers, who will assist
him in laying before the investigating
committee all information desired. 1t
is understood he plans to present sew
eral things that have not yet been
disclosed and to offer the board the
unlimited facilities of the Navy De-
partment in making the present in
quiry a sweeping probe of the aircraft
situation.
Large Room Available.
Although the hearings will begin in
the room of the House commerce
committee, the considerably larger
House caucus room will be made
ready as quickly rs possible if ii is
found that the popularity of the
hearing outgrows its present quar-
ters. While it is not believed likely
commerce room at present, fears are
felt the space will scarcely accommo-
date all of those who will wish to be
present when Col. Mitchell takes the
stand.
One question that may prove de-
cidedly embarrassing later had not
been decided today. however 1t was
disclosed at the White House late
yesterday that the investigating
board has no money whatever, not
even enough to employ secretaries
and stenographers to take down the
testimony of the witnesses. Preser-
walton of this testimony is, of course,
highly important.
The President is understood 10
have taken the position that the
! clerical forces of the three members
of Congress appointed to the board
could be of assistance in taking down
the testimony. Mr. Coolidge is of ths
opinion, however. that the commit
tees expenses will not prove heavy
and that members can take care of
it for the time being. being reim-
| bursed by Congress later. If neces-
sary.
This virtually means that If there
are any expenses the board must pay
for them out of their own pockets
and submit a bill for the amount 1c
Congress next December. Whether
or not Congress will be in a frame
of mind to 20. X" these expense
sheets, however, is another matter.
There is fear in some quarters that
this lack of funds may severely limit
the scope of the investigation as it
progresses.
Movie Stunt Proves Fatal.