The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-09-08
FOUR CRASH
VICTIMS ARE
LAID TO REST
Commander LanSdOwne and
Three Officers Are Buried
in Arlington
DEMAND investigations
Senator King, Utah, Will
Press for Congressional
Action

Washington. Sept s.--tEp-The af-
termath of inquiry and criticism
which has followed the loss of the
Shenandoah held the attention of Of
ficials today as Arlington cemetery
offered honored repose for four vic
Tins of the disaster.
Funeral services for Lieutenant
Commander Zachary Lansdowne.
commander Of the il-fated ship, were
arranged for the afternoon at Fort
Myer, Va, with full military escort
accompanying the body to the grave.
A morning hour was fixed for the
separate services at the grave for
Lieutenant Commander Louis Han
cock, Lieutenant j. r. Lawrence and
Lieutenant E. W. Sheppard.
Secretary Wilbur had before him
today an informal report by Rear
Admiral G. W. Dyson who made an
independent investigation in which
he held the failure Of diagonal brac-
ing in the Shcnandoa frame as
largely responsible for her collapse.
His study showed that some Of this
bracing, which gives the ship its
longitudinal strength, had pulled
loose from its supports. =
Note Mitchell Def
The loss Of the Shenandoah was
cited by Col. William Mitchell, for
mcr assistant chief Of the army air
service, as one instance to support
his sensati onal charges published Sat
urday against the air service admin
istration of both the war and navy
departments.
Colonel Mitchell's statement has
drawn from Senator James Reed Of
Missouri the comment that while the
air service officer may be an extrem-
ist and probably is, he is "undoubt-
edly a courageous officer and his
statement must challenge the atten-
tion TO air service development
The senator welcomed a "little ag-
tation in the military waters Is q
good thing.
Will Demand Probe
Reaction from another senatorial
quarter came in the statement from
King Of Utah, Il democratic member
of the senate naval committee, that
he intended to press Immediately on
convening of the forthcoming ses-
sion of congress for an investigation
of the Shenandoah disaster and the
army and navy aviation policies in
general.
The Utah senator. who has just
returned from trip to Europe, said
he sympathizes with Col. Mitchell
and that he was prepared to defend
the officer on the senate floor
against any disciplinary action the
war department might take.
Study Charges
Colonel William Mitchell's latest
criticism of the administration air
service policy was referred today to
the inspector general Of the army for
investigation and report.
The action of the war department.
will not be determined until this
report has been received. Should
grounds be found for disciplinary ac-
tion, Acting Secretary Davis then
will decide whether court martial
shall be initiated.
Mitchell No Martyr
Colonel William Mitchell is hardly
a martyr to the powers that control
the army and navy, according to Ma
jor General Hugh l.. Scott. who with
Mrs. Scott. arrived here this morn
ing. General Scott said he believes
Colonel Mitchell's demotion from his
former rank of Brigadier General to
his present colonelcy was not out of
order or done in spirit Of revenge
by army officials for the former air
chiefs activities in denouncing the
present condition of the countrys
air forces.
"The practice of demoting officers
has been common for years." said
General Scott. "Personally, have
been promoted backward twice, once
from colonel to major and once from
lieutenant colonel of volunteers to
| captain in the regular army"