Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-12
FEW OFF|CERSKELD
INVOLVED IN PROBE
OF AIR PROPAGANDA
Not All of These on Active
Duty-Army Officials Re-
fuse Information.
MISUSE OF EMPLOYEES
AND STATIONERY SEEN
Inquiry Reported to Concern It
self With This Phase of Al
legged Rule Violation.

The investigation ordered by Score
tary of War Davis into alleged propa-
ganda activities in the Army Air Serv-
ice for aircraft legislation above and
beyond President Coolidges position
In the matter, has been completed.
and. 1t was reliably reported today.
involves less than half a dozen air
officers, not all of whom are on active
duty
The most important phase of the IN
qu1ry-determinatio of the person or
persons who prepared and dissent
mated a circular letter intended for
ultimate congressional edifcation on
aircraft reforms-was conducted, it Is
understood, by Lieut.. Col. Thorne
Strayer Of the Inspector Generals De-
partment. but this officer, when asked
today when his report would be made.
bluntly and CURLY declared you've
got the wrong man" and refused to
discuss the question further.
See Regulation Broken.
The circular letter, which is under
stood to have been sent out to Ma
tional Guard and Reserve aviators
calling upon them to get busy with
their Senators, Representatives and
other influential persons in behalf of
separate Air Corps for the Army,
fell into the hands of the War De-
partment. BY its tone it was imme-
dlately construed as being in direct
violation of the following Army regu-
lation, issued in 1920 by Secretary
Baker:
Efforts to influence legislation
affecting the Army, or to procure
personal favor or consideration,
should never be made except through
regular military channels; the adop-
officer or enlisted man will be noted
in the military record of those con-
cerned." The regulation added that
when summoned before appropriate"
committees of Congress officers were
free to give their own opinions, pro-
vided they did not involve confiden-
tial matter.
1t has not been clearly specified
whether the department intends to
bring under this regulation the day
in and day out discussions of the
airmen on air corps and united air
forces, which has been known TO
have existed for more than a year
and still is as strong as ever. Nir-
tually every aviator on duty in Wash
ington has given some form of ex-
preston for change in the present
operation of the Air Service and its
relation with the department. The
matter is represented as being of vital
interest to them personally and con-
seouently is the daily topic of con-
verSation.
Minor Charges Probed.
Since this has been going on for
long time and no recorded action
has been taken by the War Depart
ment. ii is understood the investi-
CATION therefore has been centered
almost entirely on tie charge that
Government time, stationery, type
writer's and clerks have been en-
ployed in behalf of a movement
which the President and the War
Department are not disposed at this
time to recognize.
The Star has been informed that the
circular letter was prepared by an
Army aviator and at the maximum 10
comics were distributed. Ten OF these
were dropped around at different
desks more as a guide for voluntary
action on the part of the recipients
to pass the word along. The re
naming so. it is understood went out
to persons whose positions have not
absolutely been determined.
Government franked envelopes were
not used in the distribution Of the cir
cular letter or the mimeographed
explanation" of the separate Air
Corps bill which Maj. Gen. Mason NJ.
Patrick, chief of the Air Service. sup
ports. One party" to the movement
for the air corps proposal was uncer-
tain about the right to employ official
envelopes for this matter and conse-
ouently did not use them.
Deny Plan to Get" Patrick.
It was firmly declared at the War
Depa rtment TODAY and among several
officers of the Air Service that the
Secretary of War was not "out to get
Gen. Patrick" by instituting the in
yestisation Gen. Patrick S indorse-
ment of the air corps was asked for
bv "appropriate' committees of Con
cress. and he has made no individual.
nriyate campaign like the former
Brig. Gen. Mitchell did for his united
air force proposal. 1t further was ex-
planned that Gen. Patrick. being 81
Years old, may be retired today at the
pleasure of the President. although
when he reaches the age of 81 he is
REQUIRED to leave active duty by law.
II the air chiefs removal were de-
sired, he legally could be retired at
his present point of service.
nUUrN-nS ApNV STAFF