Evening star., 1925-10-02
RODGERS ABSO[VES
NAVFR0M BLAME
FOR RFL|CHT F|ASCO
Objects, However, to Some of
Conditions to Which Sea
Flyers Are Subjected.

Taking direct issue with Col.
William Mitchelrs charges, Comdr.
John Rodgers, n witness today before
the Presidents Air Board, issued a
challenge to any one to make "a
just criticism of the arrangements
for the Hawaiian flight of the PN.9
No. L."
Col. Mitchell previously had told
the board the preparations for the
flight, which. was commanded by
Comdr. Rodgers, looked like the work
of "bungling amateurs"
Used Proper Tactics.
Without mentioning Mitchell by
name, Rodgers declared the Navy
adopted the proper tactics" and that
he was fully satisfied with the
crew and personnel assigned to the
flight.
Il cannot see," Rodgers continued,
how the Navy Department could
be held responsible for the failure
of the fight.
Everything was done that could
be done.
THE Secretary of the Navy per-
sonally visited San Diego and ordered
the Bureau of Aeronautics to give
us everything that we asked for.
This was DONE"
Authority i'm Plans.
Rodgers declared he was given au-
thority to arrange the flight plans.
which statement fatty contradicted
Mitchells charge that preparations
were handled by "non-hying" officers.
$50 far as the Navy Department
was concerned" Rodgers continued,
1T went the limit in providing all
that was desired.
THE planes were tested. The tests
showed them capable of the flight.
I'VE would have reached Hawaii II
the wind had not been against us, or
ii the plane had given the same
it did on the tests.
Had we found a rescue ship on
the first day we could have gone.
Army planes were not used in the
search, he declared, because If they
had gone down there would have been
no one 10 rescue them
Il was fully satisfied with my crew
and personnel" he declared.
Everything was in my hands. Re
zardless of what mistakes were made
before or after, 1 challenge any one
to make a just criticism of the Ha-
waiian flight"
Comdr. Rodgers bluntly and en-
phatically told the air board at the
outset of the hearing that there is
vitality wrong with the Navy
that it Is humanity impossi
BILE for the President to coordinate the
Army and Navy, and that the only
answer to scheme OF coordination
at the very top. where 1t is most i'm
is the creation of secretary
of national defense, who should take
over both branches.
The witness said it had been sug
gested to him that the plan for re-
organizing the national defense was
too visionary" and that he better not
give it: He nevertheless read from
his prepared statement. which had
been given out at the Navy Depart
ment. when he went on the stand.
Wants Separate Budget.
As n remedy for existing conditions
I'm naval aviation. Comdr. Rodgers had
given the board his opinion that there
should not be a separate corps In the
Navy. but that there should he
separate aviation budget and 4 sepa-
rate promotion list.
But | will go further" he declared.
PLAINLY one of the greatest functions
Of the Government Is national defense.
The President Is the commander-in-
chief of the Army and Navy. 1t is hui
manly impossible for him to CO.
ordinate these two branches. They
work together only by cooperation be-
tween themselves.
Problem Very Complicated.
"This plan you may say Is visionary
too great an upheaval-too difficult
to attain" he continued. But the
problem of national defense without
the airplane Is so comp)i-
Gated and so difficult that the intro
duction of the airplane makes 1t abso-
lutely necessary to install a highly
scientific organization in order that
the best defense be obtained for the
money expended, and without such an
the aircraft question can
not be solved to the best advantage"
Aircraft would be placed under the
department of supplies. Comdr.
Rodgers said, as there lis no essential
difference between the supplies OF
guns and airplanes to the Army and
Navy. Both can, in my opinion, be
better supplied If developed and manu-
ia ctured under the direction OF com.
d., nj,