The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-03-11

talked about aviation to persons
outside their office; this, according
to the War Departments interpreta-
ton of the aforementioned rule, rem
dering them liable for discipline.
People Being Hoodwinked
E, Knowing full well who they aimed
at before they went through this
little formality, they lost no time
In selecting as their targets Majors
Arnold and Dargue, two OF the
ablest and oldest filters, as regards
length of service, in this country.
Major Arnold was one OF the first
pupils trained in flying by the
Wrights, the inventors of the air
plane. He was consistently and
continually led in the development
OF aeronautics in America.
These two officers, then, We're
singled out by the general staff to
be disciplined and made examples
Of. in order to stamp out the re-
beIlious idea that the air service
should be developed: and in spite
Of the fset that general orders pre-
scribe that such an 0ffense as
theirs is punishable only by nota-
ton on their record, it appears that
both these officers have been reprt-
manded, and one of them Is to be
ordered away from Washington, it
having been publicly announced
that he is being removed for this
specific action. To make it worse,
the chief Of air service, brow-beaten
by his superiors, has been made to
put these sentences into effect, in
order to conceal the real source OF
the inquisitoriaf action.
Ignorance and Stupidity
There is no question but that dis
cipline has to be maintained in mill
tary organizations. Discipline Isl
understood to be the unquestioning
obedience OF a junior officer or
soldier. to superior authority, but
discipline must be founded on
knowledge and truth. When this
Is absent in superiors, discipline
ceases. The ignorance and stu.
pidity displayed by the general staff
and the War Department In their
handling OF aviation cancels their
claim on the loyalty and support OF
the people under them, and their
right to the confidence Of the Amer
lean people.
Conditions must be changed
realm OF national decency. The
persecution of the air people has
gone far enough. 1T has been more
many years, but has now passed
the limits OF endurance. Not only
the air people throughout the coun
try but those DESTROYS OF seeing our
national institutions maintained
must organize to put stop to this
disgracefuI conduct Of air affairs by
the War and Navy departments.
These are strong words but true
ones.
Lives Of Men Sacrificed
The lives OF our men are being
sacrificed by the ignorant and in
competent bureaucracy maintained
by these departments. The vast
sums turned over to them by the
people are in many cases sQuan-
dered and spent m other ways than
those originally intended, and Con
gress and the American people are
being fooled and hoodwinked.
Major Arnold and Major Dargue
and their companion, Captain Mont
gOxnery or the Air Service Reserve,
WrOnged and n1istreated by the Wa
Department, may be happy In the
firm knowledge that they have benr-
fitted their country and It's national
defense in daring to stand for the
best interests of the national Sc
curity Of this country.
copyright. 1926. by the Bell
Syndicate)
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pear exclusively In The Washing
ton Times next Monday.