SCANDAL DEVELOPING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18950, 23 February 1925, Page 10

SCANDAL DEVELOPING

AIRCRAFT IN AMERICA. ALLEGATIONS BY AN OFFICER. INQUIRY SUDDENLY STOPPED. Br Telegraph—Press Association —Copyrieht. (Received 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. WASHINGTON. Fab. 21. The leaders of tho Republican Party aro opposed to the activities of the Aircraft Committee of the House of Representatives and have suddenly stifled its inquiry. This has created widespread astonishment. Tho committee announced to-day that it had been decided in executive, session to hold no further hearings. It will draw up its report during the summer and present it to the 69th Congress in December. It is is understood that pressure from leaders in the House and from the heads of departments has been exerted to stop tho hearings. The committee was notified that tho House would not appropriate any more money for its investigation. At present it has no funds available. The inquiry had threatened to develop into a grave scandal. General William Mitchell, assistant chief of tho Army Air Service, in giving evidence before the committee yesterday, definitely alleged that no bombs were nsed in the recent destruction of the battleship Washington. The tests, he said, were an absolute farce. Alleged Farcical Tests. " I think it is time tho true story of tho sinking of the Washington was told," said General Mitchell. "No bombs whatever were used on her. Some charges wero let down in the water, which showed nothing new whatever. Altogether only three 10001b. bombs wero exploded. Tho only other explosion which took place consisted of two 1001b. charges that were set off in contact with the hull of tha battleship. "Aeroplanes dropped sand bags on'her deck. Theso showed that the deck could be pierced, but no aeroplane bombs were dropped. Furthermore, the 10001b. charges were set so far from the hull that they could not do any damage. " Seventeen shots were fired from a distance of 2500yd5., and 14 hits were scored. Then the Washington sank. Had they let us drop real bombs wo would have demolished her immediately." General Mitchell ridiculed the report that two naval officers stood on the decks of the Washington while the air fleet dropped explosives. He said that, in the first place, there was not anyone on the ship, and in the second place no explosives were dropped. Had tho officers been on tho ship they would only have got sand and dust in their eyes. Intense Public Interest. An aeroplane could score about 70 per cent, of hits under ordinary conditions, said the witness. He referred to a report by the joint Army and Navy Commission, which was issued in 1921, and which decided that bombs afforded the easiest means of destroying battleships. General Mitchell urged the committee to witness the bombing of some ship. He alleged that anti-aircraft guns were practically useless. Before the committee adjourned it voted against a proposal that the members should ask tho Secretary to the Navy, Mr. Curtis Wilbur, to arrange for a special bombing test on the battleship North Dakota in order to settle the disputo as to whether aircraft can sink a battleship.. It is not believed that the stifling of tho committeo'3 inquiry will end the matter, as public interest has been extensively aroused, and tho press is manifesting the keenest interest in it.