Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-19
EXPLAINS to Davis,


cant. Horton, not now in the serv-
Zee. but who is known throughout
military circles here, went to the Of
fee of Brig. Gen. James l.. Fechet,
assistant chief of the Army Air Serv-
Ice following his call on the air force
organization. and prepared a letter 10
Secretary of War Davis, for suhmls-
sion through Gen. Fechet, in which
he explained his entire stand on the
matter.
Capt. Horizons protest was made to
J Edward Cassidy, director general
of the association, and after the frank
md pointed interview, the latter said
he would see that Capt. Horton
name no longer appeared The cap
tain's action was prompted by numer-
Gus telephone calls from friends in
military circles in which they called
attention to press release concern
ing President Coolidge and which bore
his name at the top Of the stationery.
Release Text Given.
The release under date of February
j. bearing the caption &c. o. P. Bans
Address by Billy Mitchell at Union
League Club. Detroit" said:
The following statement was issued
nv Col. w. G. Schauffier, jr., Air Serv-
ice Reserve and World War flyer,
when his attention was called to the
press report from DETROIT In this morn
ing's papers to the effect that Presi-
dent Coolidge's secretary had tele-
phoned to Detroit, causing the Union
League Club of that city to cancel the
address to have been made by Col.
'Fillv' Mitchell at the clubs celebra-
ton of Washington's birthday, Febru-
ary %:
THE action of the White House in
interfering with the address to have
been given before the Union League
Club of Detroit on Washington birth
day by Col. Billy Mitchell is little
short of amazing and is another eX-
, ample of autocraCy running wild.
The fight being made by Billy"
Mitchell for the betterment of the ma
tional defense is not a partisan polit-
teal proposition in any sense of the
word but something in which every
patriotic citizen is vitality interested
regardless of what is politics may be.
Will Accept Challenge.
"Tf the President and his advisers
desire to make this political fight
we will accept the challenge
For the past year it is clear that
the President has been receiving and
listening to some very poor advice
and accepting it. The farfetched
action regarding Col. Mitchells ad-
dress before the Union League Club
is fair sample of acting on bad
advice.
The United States Air Force AsSo-
citation is in hearty accord with the
statements issued by Col. Schauffler."
The release bore the signature of u.
Edward Cassidy, director general,
and referred to d news dispatch the
substance of which was officially
denied at the White House.
When informed of the foregoing
release. Maj. Randall was amazed
that such a dispatch had gone out
the Air Force Association more than
"A week ago" he said. land demand
ed that my name be taken off the
stationery and literature. I can't
understand why it hasn't been done.
don't like what that bunch is do
ing"
In his verbal protest to Director
General Cassidy. Capt. Horton de-
clrred the tactics adopted by the or
ganization were "unmilitary, unsol-
dierly and not nice"
He declared he was in favor of a
; separate air force, but not at this
time. empha sizing that I'VE first have
TO teach our own people to buy shoes
and shingles and figure out pay
vouchers Tor a hdlt QaN S WOTk ana
5O-mile expense trip"
Refused to Join Group.
About year ago. he told Cassidy, a
Lieut.. SchauSS (whoSe name is listed
on the stationery as Lieut.. F. A.
Schauss, national secretary, l25 Albee
building, Washington called on hin
for donation to the association as
it then was being organized. Capt
Horton said he refused to contribute
or to join as he was in poor health
and desired seclusion. That was the
first and last he heard Of the organiza
ton until a day or two ago
In reply to a demand for informa
ton as to how his name became con-
nected with the advisory board" Cas-
sidy replied that he was recently
drafted to handle publicity for the
association.
"A meeting was held at Gen. Nit
ChelIs house here n week ago." he
said. and it was decided to continue
The campaign for separate Air Serv-
ice. 1t also was decided to carry over
The names of those connected with it
because it all was in the same cause. u
Maj Randall declared Mitchell was
behind the association both with
moral and financial support and that
the rganiZation, as 1t stands today, Is
not what the founders intended it &c
he. In addition to himself and Capt
Horton as members of the advisory
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