Airplane Views

Mr. Coolidge has hit upon a good formula for handling controversial questions when the public demands that something be done. He appoints a commission to investigate and then recommend.* The recommendations then usually become part of the Administration's program.

Aside from the fact that the formula is a politically astute conception, it has the advantage, if properly employed, of affording an unpartisan expert investigation, and of settling the public's mind on questions which would otherwise be only wind and partisanship.

The continuance of that policy was marked in the appointment of a commission of nine to look into the air policies of the U. S. recently brought onto the controversial stage by the Shenandoah disaster and Colonel Mitchell's charges.

The Board met last week at the White House, chose D wight W. Morrow, J. P. Morgan partner to preside over its deliberations, fixed the committee room of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce as its metting place and announce its program. "The board plans to hear first the representatives of the air services of the army, the navy and the post office, as to their present condition, organization, equipment, mission and the relation of the services to each other. The board expects thereafter to invite numerous witnesses, including Colonel Mitchell, to appear before them with criticisms and constructive suggestions."

In accordance with this plan Acting Secretary of War Dwight F. Davis was summoned by the Commission as its first witness.

Meantime two other air inquiries were set on foot. The War Department prepared to court-martial Colonel Mitchell for his reflections on his superiors in his attacks on the air policy of the Government, and the Navy Department assembled a Board of Inquiry at Lakehurst, N. J. to inquire into the causes and responsibility for the sinking of the Shenandoah.

Meanwhile by order of his immediate commander, Major General Hinds, Colonel Mitchell was relieved of further duty as Eighth Corps air officer.

* The President's Agricultural Commission which worked last winter and the President's Oil Conservation Commission which has been busy most of the summe. are examples.