The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-02-26
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Congress Fairly Liberal IN
Appropriations for the
National Defense.
BY EDWARD w. PrckARD


) Unless congress changes its mind,
~ the army and navy, and especial
~ the air services, are to be well pro-
Vided for in the appropriation meas
ures. Last week the senate passed
the naval supply bill carrying in round
figures 1921 100000, this total includ
ing $26,OOO.0OO for aircraft and naval
aviation. The same day the War de-
partment appropriation bin went
through the house. This measure car
ries $685., 100000, of which S15,256,000
is to be expended for aviation. Incl
deatally, this house bill provides for a
lump sum appropriation of $50.000,000
for rivers and harbors work.
These two measures are intended to
carry the army and navy only
through the next fiscal year which be-
gins July l, but the house committee
on naval affairs recommended the
adoption of a five-year naval aircraft
building program which calls for the
construction of 1000 new planes at
cost of $S5,OOO,OOO Administration
leaders were confident this would be
passed during this session. Rear Adj
miral Moffatt's plan called for the eX-
penditure of $250.000,000 in five
years, but the more conservative pro-
gram was all the committee cared to
recommend in view of President
Coolidge's position on economy.
Thes committee proposes the con-
struction of 235 airplanes at cost of
$12, 900 in the fiscal year 1927 in
100000 under other legislation. IN
addition the committee proposes the
construction of two rigid airships
costing $8,000O00 to be begun prior
to July 1, 1927, and an experimental
metal-clad airship costing 100000.
The pending naval appropriation
bill contemplates the expenditure of
not more than 100000 on new air.
craft in the fiscal year 1927. Under
the program recommended the re-
quirement for 1927 would be between
$13,000,O00 and $20000.000. Repre-
sentative French, in charge of naval
appropriations, said that the addition
100000 would not be appropriated for
1927 unless the budget bureau should
recommend it. This puts the reaiiza-
tion of the naval aircraft construction
program up to the Executive.
INSPECTOR GENERAL HELM
L LICKS investigation, ordered by
Secretary of War Davis, disclosed
that two officers of the army air serv-
fee had been guilty of Objectionable
activities in attempting to influence
air service legislation" Maj. Henry
III. Arnold, information officer in the
Office of Major General Patrick, chief
Of the air service, was declared the
more culpable and in addition to being
reprimanded he will be transferred by
General Patrick to a station less
pleasant than Washington. Maj. Her
bert A. Dargue, chief of the war plans
division of the service, escapes with
a reprimand. The severer discipline
is imposed on Major Arnold because
he has been long conspicuous in the
NANRaAoa1a AOA y oCPaA ute oAA oCAf
He is described by many officers as
having been "the eyes of Colonel
Mitchell" In the air service during
the months which interviewed between
Mitchell's removal from the post of
assistant chief Of air service and the
close Of his court-martial.'
The limitations that the inquiry
would involve General Patrick were
shown 70 be unfounded when he was
permitted % assist in 1t and to an
nounce It's findings.
Two 81 the army's most eminent
n axlatoFs, both Of them members OF
the round-the-world flight. have an.
noaneed that they are about to resign
from the army In order TO attempt to