Evening star., 1925-11-10
SENSATIONAL DATA
GIVEN BY WITNESS
TOBACK MITCHELL
lassiter Board. Seeing Serv-
ice Fail. Urge DemObiIiza-
ton. OIdys Says.
ASSERTS OFFICER DIED
TRYING TO HEED ORDER
Military Courts Interest Keenly
Aroused by Startling Charges of
BranchS Plans Officer.

Sensational testimony designed 70
Support testimony of col. Mitchell
shat the War Department has been
guilty of criminal negligence and al
S1fp~t reasonable conduct in the ad-
1uiuistration Of The air forces was
Ritlu before the cuurt-uIutiu today
ny capt. Robert Oldys Of the War
I'idJt- Section "f the Army -hir
a. vice
Win tic courtroom hustled il sus-
pcuse. Capt. Oldy@. in response 10
's,c- tion~ by Representative Frank Il.
Rid OF counsel for the defense and
oser innumerable objections by the
= .usecution. testified. among other
Things, that.
The so-called Lassister air board OF
I'25 reported that unless steps are
taken at once to improve conditions
tie Air Service must he- de.uobilized,
aud thai the peace-tilne lying organ
ilaJion. having failed 10 keep step"
with aviation. formed no basis 81
~ hich 10 build a flying force for wal
purposes.
Maj. Harley Wheeler was killed III
Il crash in Hawaii when he tried to
save his ship rather than himself" >"
shortly after he k"d hecn told by his
1hief of staff. Col. Frederick Chamber
lain. that he would be held responsible
Tor further air accidents and that the
pilots would be made to pay for dam
aged planes. Mai. Gen. Charles p.
Summeral. a former member of the
court martial. was III command Of the
Hawaiian department at this time.
EitaS Eafo nT
The McNair report on aviation con
dltionS in the Hawaiian Islands,
although branded az inaccurate" by
Gen. Patrick. chief of the Air Service.
and a < glaringly erroneous by Gen
Williams. chief of ordinance, was pre-
selted before congressional commit
Tee over their protests.
There Is no Army air force on the
Pacific Coast with the exception of
Rockwell Field. a testing station.
Numerous recommendations of the
chief of Air Service that the third
attack group at Kelly Field be trans
ferred TO the west coast were disap-
proved by the War Department.
Recommendations of Capt. Oldys
that the entire air forces of the United
states be sent to Hawaiian Islands to
participate in the maneuvers We're dis
approved.
Recommendations OF Ten. IdtTlCk
for a separate air force forwarded to
Tho War Department in 1924 has not
: Vet been answered.
Testimony by another witness. Mai
II. IT. Arnold also of the Air Service
Who followed Capt. Oldys on the stand
tended 10 support COL Mitchclls
charges that high ranking officers of
the military establishment have given
luisinformation to committees Of Con
l.
statement by Maj. Gen. Hugh Drum
before a House committee 10 the eff
feet that America s air force was on
par with those of other nations
Courts Interest Evoked.
Munifostins much interest in the
startling statements Of the youthful
Capt. Oldys, who Is a product of the
local high schools, members of the
court took the witness in hand and
questioned him further about Mai.
Wheelers death. the air force on the
Pacific Coast. the Lassiter board and
The general staff.
In reply, Capt Oldys declared that a
board of Investigation had found that
Nal Wheeler came to his death when
nc attempted to turn back to the field
1pOn development of engine trouble;
that Col. Chamberlain. the chief of
staff referred to as having threatened
o hold Wheeler responsible for fur
Z her accidents, was not held responsi-
hle tor the tragedy: that no attack
planes are stationed at Rockwell
'ield. and that no efforts ever had
been made to carry ont the recommen-
datious ufthc Lassitcr board
When Brig. Gen. Ewing l.. Booth.
member uf tho court. asked Capt.
oldvs how he would reorsauizc the
general staff. if given the opportunity,
The witness iaconically stated:
The way Gen. Mitchell has recon-
uended"
There was a big stir in In little
room as the Ar Service "fticia, ,ored
what was conceded generally to be Il
notable point for the defense.
Capt. OIdys Recalled.
capt. Robert Oldys uf the office OF
the chief Of Air Service. who was ex-
Cuscd from the stand yesterday after
Noon to procure some necessary Off
Cial documents, was called when court
convened at 10 O'Clock. These records
dealt with the personnel in the over
seas garrisons, Hawaii. the Philip
pines and the Panama Canal. On Sep
rember so, he said. the reports showed
Tho following strength as far as the
Air Service was concerned: Hawaii.
81 officers and $50 enlisted men; Pan
anna Canal 58 officers and 67S men,
and Philippines. 81 officers and 621
men. Representative Reid then Of
fered these figures in evidence
Taking up the L.aSsiter report. men
TONED by Cot. Mitchell in his state
lnent, Capt. Oldys described it as fol
lows: at Is a report of War De
partment committee which planned Il
war organization for the Air Service
and a peace organization necessary
IS "a nucleus upon which the war or
sanitation could he built in an emer-
-eucy. 1t was made March 20 1928,
approved by the Secretary of War
April "A. 1928"
Has it ever been carried into eff
Iect?' asked Representative Reid.
Cul. Moreland objected or the ground
he witness was incompetent and
Representative Reid withdrew the
question and asked: What is your
duty with regard 10 the report?'
ITO work up the details as far as
lhcy effect the Air Service" replied
capt. Oldys.
Have any been put into effect"''
col. Moreland again objected. de
.iaring the answer called for con
, clusion.
Col. Ninship. while inclining TO
agree with the trial Judge advocate,
Continued On H"ge !. Column >