Imperial Valley press., 1934-03-17
R|CKENRACKER
EV|DE NCE IS
INTERRUPT TED
War Time Ace Denies Attack
On President After Accusa-
tion By Senator.
WITHDRAWS FROM HEARING
Noted Flyer Says Roosevelt
Misled By 'Traitorous Ele-
ments' In Official Family.
BY RONALD VAN TINE
'nited Press Staff Correspondent

United Press Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, March II.
Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker. fam
Gus wartime ace, told the senate
post office committee today that
President Roosevelt had been led
by "traitorous elements in his Of
ficial family to act contrary to
American principles" in cancelling
private airmail contracts and Or
dering the army to fly the mail.
Before completing a prepared
statement, Rickenbacker was in
terrupted by Chairman Kenneth
D.McKellar, D., Tenn, who told
him sharply that he could not be
permitted to attack the Presi-
dent or make political speech"
McKellar's action touched off a
dispute among committeeman and
Rickenbacker finally retired from
the room while spectators and
Senators M. M. Logan, Dem, KY,
and Warren w. Barbour, r., N. j.,
applauded.
Il think I've earned my heritage
to American citizenship" Ricken-
backer began, rising to his feet.
Il believe that in fairness to
our chief executive he should, in
purging American commercial avi-
alton of undesirable elements, pur-
ge his official family of those
traitorous elements, few in num-
Der, I hope, who caused him to
act contrary to American prin-
ciples."
McKellar raped on the COM
mittee table with a cigaret tray.
I'll have to ask you not to
attack the President or make a
political speech" he said sharply.
Il don't think that's an attack
on the President" Logan broke in.
Let's confine ourselves to the
BILL Mcclellan continued. IF you
have anything more to say on
the bill, We'll hear you"
Logan and Barbour protested.
Rickenbacker sat down, gathered
up his papers and prepared ot leave.
McKellar dismissed him and called
the next witness.
As Rickenbacker, mis- face flush
ed rose again, the spectators ap-
plauded until he had gone with
his friends and officials of the
North American Aviation company.
who accompanied him.
In the course of testimony, Rick
enbacker told the committee
achievements, thus far in CONNER
cial aviation were disappearing
like a sand dune in the Sahara
desert because of the contract
cancellation.
Agrees With Lindbergh
I feel it will be serious mis-
take" he said in his prepared
statement, "if the equities of the
present air transport operators are
not recognized and given pre-
emptive rights on the routes which
they have pioneered at great ex-
penSe."
Rickenbacker agreed with Col.
Charles A. Lindbergh that rates
of pay described in the proposed
legislation would "perpetuate the
impracticabilities of administration
of a space basis of pay He said
rates proposed in the bill would
prevent development of large air
planes.
He was in accord with Lindbergh
and Clarence Chamberlin that no
attempt should be made to break
up the present transcontinental
air system into small routes.
Il am in favor" he said, "of
a provision that there shall be no
interlocking directors or stock in
competitive air transport COM
panieS
II further recommend a pro-
vision that no company may pur-
chase airplanes, airplane parts, or
other materials from affiliated
companies or subsidiaries at a price
in excess of the lower prices at
which such equipment has been
sold or is offered for sale to non-
affiliated interests"
He urged reduction on airmail
postage rates to five cents an
ounce, and suggested authorization
of So-called air lettergrams at
thee cents and air mail postcards
at two cents.