Evening star., 1933-09-10

AT IllS COIlleTeIlCt MllSliCA '" oS'
charged publicly by William r Mac
of Commerce for Aeronautics, with
having failed in his duty to aviation.
MacCracken implied that Mitchell had
not made proper efforts to obtain Suftl-
cient funds for operation OF vitally eS-
sential aids to air navigation. Air
transport representatives there present
voiced the opinion that lives and prop
erty were being exposed to unnecessary
hazards for the sake Of ill-advised and
excessive economies.
Since that time there has developed
q rising tide of criticism of the areo-
nautics branch. 1t is charged not only
that the organization is being wrecked
by economies out of proportion to those
borne by other Government agencies,
but that morale and efficiency are being
jeopardized for the sake OF political
spoils.
Matters finally reached climax dur
ing the past week, when Secretary
Roper took the affairs of the aero
nautics branch into his own hands. In
a vigorous statement of policy, he de-
clared that there would be no tempo
rizing where safety was concerned and
that he would appeal personally to the
Budget Bureau for additional funds
with which to restore to full-time oper-
alton all airWay lights on the trans
continental airWays.
1T is my well considered opinion
that this is important in the interest Of
the preservation of safety OF life" he
explained.
In making his response to the critics
of the aeronauticS policies OF his de-
partment, it IS understood, Secretary
Roper did not even consult Mitchell or
two of the assistant directors of the
aeronautics branch, j. Carroll Cone, di-
rector for air development, and Eugene
L Vidal, director for air regulation, all
three of whom were absent from the
National Capital attending the Chicago
air races and an aviation barbecue
party at the home of Vincent BendiX
in Indiana
His pointed failure to consult Mitchell
or to refer to him in any way IN Z.
matter SO vitally affecting the aero
nautics branch is regarded by many
in the industry as evidence of a break
between the two SO sharp as to arouse
speculation whether Mitchell will con-
tinue in office.
That Ropers failure to consult
Mitchell was deliberate and not merely
due to his unavailability is believed to
be demonstrated by the fact that
Mitchell returned to Washington less
than "a hours after Roper took his de-
cisive action and was back in the de-
partment within five hours after Roper
announced publicly that he had acted
The situation which precipitated his
action does not appear so urgent ii
could not have been delayed "a hours,
had he wished to consult Mitchell.
The weeks developments would seem
to indicate that a breach has been
Opened between Roper and his assist
ant. If this should prove to be the
case, the event may have most i'm
portant bearing on the country's civil
aviation policies.
Local Pilots to Compete.
Regional eliminations to select local
sportsmen pilots who will represent the
National Capital in the National Char
ity Air Pageant to be held at Roosevelt
Field, N. Y, october 49, have begun at
College Park Airport, College Park, Md
Mrs. C.. M. Savage, wife of local
Army Air Corps reserve officer who
obtained her Department of Commerce
private pilots license only three months
ago, was the first to qualify. She
passed with rating of 159 out of a
possible 240 points the flight tests
required. Her tests were conducted by
j. Earl Steinhauer of the College Park
field selected for this purpose by the
SRir pageant board.
Four men and four women from each
State are to be eligible for the flying
championship semi-finals and finals and
two men and two women from each
State for championship bomb-dropping
events. Scoring in the flying champion
ships will be on taxying and take-offs
landings to a mark and spins. A $4,000
cash prize and silver trophy will be
awarded in each group.
Six local amateur pilots already have
entered their planes in cruise to Dover
Del. to attend an air meet to be held
there September 1917 in connection
with the dedication of the new Dover
Airport. Events for the visiting pilots
will include golf, tennis swimming and
a dance. There will be demonstration
of anti-aircraft activities by the Della
ware National Guard
The local pilots are to leave College
Park Airport Saturday afternoon. Those
interested in making the cruise are
asked to notify Chester H. Warrington,