The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-10-17
7 D
present
FACTS
Policy to Face Hot Battle in
Next Session on
Hill
By WILLIAM K. HUTCHINSON

BY WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON
A clash in Congress over Presi-
dent Coolidge's economy program,
rs applied to national defense,
doomed today as a probable out
come of the aviation inquiry held
by the Presidents air board.
With its public hearings con-
cluded, the board adjourned until
Monday before beginning the
arduous task of preparing a re-
port for the President. The re-
port. which will take two weeks
TO prepare, will deal not only with
the army and navy air services,
but will include suggestions of
Government aid for commercial
aironautics.
All Attack Economy
Although the board was named
originally to investigate the sensa-
tional charges of Colonel William
Mitchell, deposed army air chief,
the inquiry developed in its last
week into an attack upon the
Presidents strict economy policies
by high officers from both the army
and navy.
While these attacks were usually
hidden In long statements. they
were said to reflect an almost
united opposition in the two de-
partments against Coolidge econ
omy."
Members of the army general
staff and admirals in charge Of
navy bureaus usually touched but
briefly upon Mitchell's charges or
ignored them entirely and devoted
the bulk Of their statements to
proving that each arm OF the
national defense was suffering be-
cause of Coolidge economy"
The army has too few men, the
navy too few ships, the board was
told.
The army is below peace strength.
the navy below its allotted 5-5-3
ratio with England and Japan.
Cite Critical Situation
All arms OF the two services face
n critical situation because Of
shortages in ammunition.
The army is experiencing a hous-
ing shortage. the navy an equip
ment shortage. The air services
have too few men and TOO few
planes.
All this is due, the officers said.
TO tho Administration program
of economy"
While younger filters told the
hoard there was 't'Iyido spread dissat-
iefaction' in the air service against
being commanded by non-hiers and
that they flew defective planes-all
In support of MitchelFs charges
the higher officers usually discussed
economy
witnesses such as Major General
Hugh A. Drum, an assistant chief
of staff speaking officially for the
War Department; Brigadier General
Fox Conner, another general staff
officer. and Major General Robert c.
Davis, adjutant general. complained
bitterly against economy.
Short of Air Bombs
Conner said that the ammunition
shortage was critical and that the
air service was suffering a $4,000
900 shortage in aerial bombs alone.
High nevy officers, including Rear
AQnlTdl NOOI1l6s ICCSlll
commander-in-c chief of the United
States fleets. voiced the same COM
plant for the-navy. The navy needs
more men. more ships, more air.
plane carriers. more planes, and,
above all, more money. He said:
"The Presidents board NAV
ignore these statements. If this
happens. the fight for greater appro-
priations for the national defense
undoubtedly will be carried to the
committee rooms and debates Of Con-
Kress.
AS though anticipating such a
battle. President Coolidge already
has fired the first shot He did
this in his recent speech at Omaha.
Neb., while he attacked 'junkers"
and announced himself against
spending large sums on the main
tenance of a great army or great
navy.
Separate Corps Opposed
On the issue raised by Mitchell
for a separate department of ma
tional defense with one division de-
voted to aeronautics, it was gen.
orally believed the board would re-
ject all plans for a separation of
aviation from the army and navy.
All such plans, whether a sepa.
rate air corps, department or a
bureau, were condemned by the
higher officers of the War and