Inquiry Reopened

The House committee investigating the Air Service reopened its hearings for a few days before the close of Congress. Its previous hearings (TIME, Feb. 16, Mar. 2) had developed a definite controversy. Brigadier General William Mitchell, Assistant Chief of the Army Air Force, had advocated a united Air Force for Army and Navy. His supporters in that recommendation were mainly civilians. The Navy in particular was opposed to it. As the controversy developed, General Mitchell took the stand that development of aircraft had rendered battleships obsolete --the airplanes could easily sink battleships. Here again he collided with wholesale denial on the part of the Navy. He criticized the attitude of high officials of Army and Navy toward the Air Force, which brought further controversy. Last week's developments were principally supplementary:

P: Rear Admiral Hilary P. Jones testified in regard to certain earlier testimony by General Mitchell. He said, in regard to the General's declaration that the Philippines would fall an easy prey to air attack, that of course the islands could be taken, but it could not be done by aircraft without a Navy. Two weeks, the time suggested for such a feat, he believed was "a pretty short time." Airplanes, he said, were essential as auxiliaries.

P: Rear Admiral William S. Sims, U. S. N. retired, supported General Mitchell's charges that airplanes could sink battleships, but vigorously opposed a united Air Force. It was necessary, he maintained, that air pilots at sea be Navy officers so that they could cooperate intelligently with the fleet.

P: Secretary of War John W. Weeks appeared and was questioned principally as to his attitude toward General Mitchell and aircraft development. He testified that General Mitchell had printed articles on the air question without obtaining consent of superior officers, thereby violating the orders of the President. He declared that he had no intention of attempting to "discipline" General Mitchel by ordering him to another post, said that the question rested entirely in the hands of the President.

General Patrick, genial Chief of the Army Air Service, in a speech made before the National Republican Club in Manhattan, remarked:

"Down in Washington they are having a disturbance. The Aircraft Service has dropped some bombs, and the Navy has discharged a few broadsides, and there is a little poison gas around, too. I suppose people are wondering what it is all about. While I think there is much that is objectionable in matter and method, I am philosopher enough to believe it will all come out right in the end."