Evening star., 1925-09-13
Agrees With Davis.

Agrees With Davis.
Although the eason for his change
In attitude on the subject was not
set forth in the Joint letter, the com
munication showed that the heads OF
the nations two military departments
now were in agreement on action To
be taken in aircraft matters.
The last of six volumes of testi-
monv taken by the House committee
came off the press a few weeks ago.
Chairman Lampert, a few days ago,
issued a statement urging special
board qualified TO pass upon aircraft
problems be appointed TO delve into
the subject and that II should include
OF her than members OF Congress, who,
he asserted were not in a position to
pass upon many of the technical prob
lens that the field OF aviation pre-
sents.
Chairman Butler of the House ma
val committee also has announced
the purpose of investigating the
Shenandoah disaster as soon as Con-
gress convened and this gave rise to
the opinion that II probably would
expand into a general discussion on
aircraft.
The present aircraft controversy
was stirred up in the closing months
of the last Congress when the then
Brig. Gen. Mitchell, s assistant Army
air chief. appeared before a special
House committee and launched
series of criticisms. against the War
and Navy Departments.
These attacks brought to the Army
officer a confidential letter" from
Secretary Weeks asking that he sub
stantiate the charges. In reply Gen
Mitchell adopted the unusual course
of making public his reply to the com
mittee about two hours before 1t
reached the War Secretary.
AT the time he made his reply the
officer took another opportunity TO
lombard the War and Navy Depart
ments on their aviation policies and
added more fuel to the then fast fam
ing aircraft discussion.
Made Committee Prominent.
Not until Gen. Mitchell began his
testimony did the work of the com
mittee. which had been progressing
for some time, come into prominence.
The committee was created at the
suggestion of Representative Nelson
of Wisconsin to make a thorough sur
vey of aircraft manufacture and op
Grafton, and prior TO the officers testi-
mony it had devoted much time to in
vestigat ting the handling OF aviation
matters during the World War
After Mitchells first broadside
against what he termed the made
quacy OF the Nations air power, how
ever, all other phases Of the commit
tees work were eclipsed by the gen
eral discussion which developed
around this question.
Half a dozen times Gen. Mitchell ap-
peared on the witness stand and verb
ally bombed the administration air
policies. Secretary Weeks in a state
ment. and later in personal testimony,
denied all the charges.
The work of the committee was cut
short by the adjournment of Congress,
and because of the lack of funds, has
not reported its findings. At the time
this special committee was at work,
the House Military Committee also
had before it a bill by Representative
Curry of California to create q De-
partment of Air in charge of a secre-
tary of Cabinet rank.
This committe failed to conclude
hearings but appointed a subcommit-
tee to hold joint hearings in the next
Congress with similar subcommittee
of the House Naval Committee. This
subcommittee expects TO continue
work on the air department bill which
Mr.. Curry has announced will be re-
introduced.
Harbord Career Varied.
Gen. Harbord has had a varied
career in the Army servinr as chfef