IN THE AIR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 16 February 1925, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

AIRCRAFT IN WAR TIME. CONTROVERSY PROCEEDING. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION COPY RIGHT, WASHINGTON, Feb. 14. Public interest throughout the country is now centred on the controversy regarding the value of aircraft in war. Contradictory testimony, much of it of a sensational character, is being given before the aircraft committee of the House of Representatives, which is sitting to investigate the charges made by General Mitchell, assistant chief of the army air force, and to inquire into the whole situation and make recommendations to President Coolidge. The witnesses include prominent navy and army officers and aviators. Colonel Hartley, who was the American air commander in the world war, testified that all strategic points in the United States, particularly New York, were open to air attack. He pointed out innovations in the British air forces, and produced evidence that Britain had devised a method whereby aeroplanes can be refueled from the air by surface ships, thus giving them an unlimited radius of action. Colonel Hartley also described a new bombing method by which ’planes could be certain to hit vessels. General Mitchell testified that the navy was deficient in aircraft to such an extent that a third-rate Power equipped with proper flying units could defeat the United States. Colonel Schauffler, air reserve officer, alleged that during the 1923‘ bombing tests on the warships Virginia and New Jersey, Admiral Shoemaker changed a statement intended to be issued over the name of General Pershing on the effect of bombing, the admiral sav. ing: “It is true, every bit of it; but, my God, we can’t let this get out or it would ruin the navy.” Admiral Shoemaker denied this before the committee, declaring that the article '.stated the aviation standpoint of the tests, but did not include the naval side. He added two paragraphs, explaining that the ships bombed were not watertight, which changes General Pershing approved. The committee, on the recommendation of General Patrick, head of the air service, decided to deal in executive session with the reports of aerodynamic experts on aircraft designs previously rejected by the army and navy. The reports are said to show that some designs refused as impracticable were found to be valuable. The committee, is expected to ask for extended time to make its report.