Evening star., 1925-09-21
AIR POLICY DEFENDED BY DAVIS:
i PANIC UNFOUNDED, HE TESTIFIES
Acting Secretary Would Draw Close Line for Mis-
sions of Both Flying Services-Says U. S.
Help for Factories Needed.

cess of the round -the-world flight, a
| triumph of organization as we'll as Of
| flying skill Training Is entirely In
the hands of the flying service itself
| under broad general policies, and the
| chief of the Air Service will discuss
this subject later. A detailed state
ment Of the current appropriations
| will also be given by him. Due to
the broad considerations of public
policy affecting the whole Govern
| ment, appropriations are insufficient
| to carry out the approved War De-
| partment program, but that situation
| exists in the other services as Well
Within the department, the Air Serv-
Ice appropriation in recent years has
! been consistently favored, sometimes
at the expense of other services. To
sum up, after a fairly intimate asso- =
citation with them for three years, !
do not hesitate to assert that our Air
Service officers and men are COM
petent, efficient, loyal and patriotic.
I'm peace the primary mission Of
the Air Service as of all the other
services is to carry out the injunc-
ton of our first commander-in-chief,
George Washington: In time Of peace.
prepare for war This is accom-
plished by:
ID Developing it's personnel and
material to the highest efficiency
and assisting in the development
of the Air Service branches Of the
National Guard and the organized
reserves.
(2) Preparing plans of action for
the mobilization OF personnel and
procurement Of material In accord
ance with mobilization and war
plans of the War DeparfmeDt
Mission in Peace.
THE secondary mission On peace) Is
to promote in every possible way the
welfare, progress and prosperity of
our country.
I'm war the mission of the Air
Service is:
O AS a fighting arm, in COM
bination with the other fighting
arms, to win the victory. and bring
about peace as quickly, as effec-
lively and as cheaply in lives and
money as is humanity possible.
t2) AS a supply branch. to de-
velop and procure the equipment
and supplies pertaining exclusively
to the Air Service in such quanti-
ties as may be required for its
operations:
In considering these missions 1 be-
lieve one thought should always be
kept in mind, that the war mission
must be the predominant considera-
ton. A policy might be adopted in
any service which would enhance it's
development and prestige largely IN
peace, but which would greatly lessen
its effectiveness as a member of the
war team. The war mission must al
ways govern"
Relations of the Air Service, (a) to
the Army, Ob) to commercial avia-
ton, tc) to airplane manufacture.
Turning to a decision Of the rela-
ton Of the Air Service of the War
Department and to the Army general
staff, Mr.. Davis said he would leave
an explanation of the latter phase to
the chief of staff. adding:
Commercial Aviation Vital.
"The national defense act controls
the relations of the Air Service to
the other parts of the War Depart
ment. The Secretary Of War Is the
responsible head Of the department.
The Assistant Secretary Of War is
charged with the supervision Of the
procurement Of all military supplies.
This supervision is Of a business, not
q technical nature. the actual pro-
curement being carried out by the
supply branches. Whether this busi-
been helpful or harmful to the best
interests OF the Air Service can best
be shown by the testimony Of the
chief Of Air Service.
Under Section of the national de-
fense act the duties Of the chief of
staff and of the War Department gem
eral staff are set out in the following
language: The chief of staff shall
cause to be made, by the War Depart
ment general staff. the necessary plans
for recruiting, organizing, supplying
mobilizing. training and de-
the Army of the United
States and for the use Of the military
forces for national defense.
The duties of the War Department
general staff shall be to prepare plans
for national defense and the use of the
forces for that purpose, both
and in conjunction with the
naval forces, and for the mobilizat ton
of the manhood of the Nation and it's
material resources in an emergency;
to investigate and report upon all
questions affecting the efficiency of
the Army of the United States and It's
state of preparation for military op-
erations, and to render professional
aid and assistance to the Secretary Of
War and the chief of staff The chief
of staff Is present and will discuss this
phase Of your question"
LAS regards commercial aviation, it
is everywhere recognized that tho