The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-04-27
sLICHT
Appalling Loss Of U. S.
FIiers May Mean Probe
House Committee VIII
WressIe With Problem
Nelson More Than Holds
Own in Capital Clashes

Own in Capital Clashes
\ ny RAT TUCKER
wAsHIN6T0N-A senate mil
itary affairs subcommittee Ii
wrestling with the highly con-
trovefaal and explosive problem
OF probing into the causes Of the
appalling number Of Army air
plane crashes. Final decision
probably viii Be left to the full
group and the white House. in
view Of protests voiced by Sec
Rotary stimson's spokesman
The exploratory inquiry was
inspired by Sen. Harley N. Kill
gore Of West Virginia. who re-
ceived information that many
craekups were due to sabotage
IN aviation plants. Military wit
nesses deny emphaticsiiy that
traitorous activity on the as
sembly line accounts for aerial
fatalities, although the FB1 has
arrested several alleged plotters.
But the fearful sweep Of crashes
eonvinces some investigators
that . moro far-reaching and
public scrutiny 10 needed. re-
rardless Of the reason for the
breakdowns. II 10 understood
that there have been more than
1000 smashups since the out
break Of the European conflict.
with q death toll of almost 1000,
Including 500 after Dec. 7th.
Flying experts maintain that
q large number Of these tragic
happenings must be expected in
wartime and accepted as a trib-
ute to Mars. Pilots must learn
10 TO aioft in foul weather.
whereas they stick to the field
In days Of peace II storms threat
en-. The air In crowded with
more machines than ever before
and ground safety devices have
not yet been expanded proper
tionately. Lastly. the demand
for fliers has become 10 great
that nedelings must be sent
.soloing with a minimum Of train
ing.
The conflicting psychology Of
War Production Board experts
and members Of congress has
been demonstrated strikingly
and humorously in Donald M.
Nelson's various appearances
before Capitol Hill committees.
The clash of mentslities makes
the worlds greatest democracy's
military strides appear almost
miraculous.
The WPB boss talked In terms
Of meeting delivery schedules
for raw materials and finished
weapons. Of shipping ornaments
to the troops. Of keeping the ma
ton on an even economic keel.
His hardest problem. he em-
phasized. was to move not too
fast nor too slowly in forcing
eurtailments and conversions
that create individual and class
hardships. He also has family
troubles. His dollar-s-year-aides.
he said. were sometimes sore
because they had not come TO
Washington with the expects-
ton that they would swim
naked In a goldfish bowl" They
resented the fact that they are
suspected simply because they
spring from Wan Street and
way stations on the same line.
The elder statesmen. who must
live like nudists all their public
lives, sniffed At what they con-
sider the prima donna behavior
Of some industriaiists. Senator
Harold II. Burton Of Ohio re-
minded the mail order executive
that his "thin-skinned staff
now have one hundred and thirty
million people as their directors.
with congress as a collective
board chairman. The politicos
pleaded with the production
manager to give more thought
70 consumers, to factories fac
ing LIQUIDATION. to other groups
suffering from privstions- to
the voters. With brutal frank
ness Tom Connslly Of Texas put
It this way: Mister Nelson. you
and your crowd don't have TO
run for office. We dol"
House and Senate veterans
unite in tribute 10 Nelson's
shrewdness on the stand and his
pleasant personality. They agree
that the bulky. sandy-haired.
soft-spoken Chicsgoan is one Of
the smartest operators TO APP
pear before a Congressional
committee In many years.
On several occasions he ribbed
his political critics 30 skilifully
and painlesxly that they did not
realize he was jsbbing them for
the benefit Of the press tables.
When he concludes his formal
statements. he sits back while
they shoot their criticisms ut
him. In most instances he con-
cedes you have a fine point
there and promises to look
into it." His acceptance Of their
ideas persuades them that they
are running the production phase
Of the war. and they preen with
pride over their contribution. But
when they per11se the written