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BYRD SENT NORTH IN TROPICS PLANES, GILMORE ASSERTS

Wash. Star - 11/10/25

Borrowed Ships Had Not Been Tested- One Failed Later, Officer Testifies.

BACKS MITCHELL CLAIM CRAFT WERE FOR SOUTH

Letter, Outlining Defects of Type Used, Introduced in Trial Over Objections.

 Adding another highlight to an array of testimony of other witnesses already of a sensational nature, Col. W. E. Gilmore. chief of the supply division of the Army Air Service, testified before the Mitchell court-martial this afternoon that the Navy sent Lieut. Comdr. Byrd into the Artic with borrowed Army planes which had not been given service tests and one of which type failed in a flight at McCook Field, Dayton, Ohio, while its prototypes were in the North.
 Col. Gilmore's testimony tended to support charges of Col. Mitchell that the MacMillan expedition had been sent north with planes designed for use in the tropics. The witness testified that they were purchased by the Army for use in the Philippines, Hawaii and Panama, and asserted the ships were never intended for use in water where there was floating ice.

Letter Introduced.

 A letter written by Maj. John F. Curry, commanding officer at McCook Field, to the chief of the Air Service outlining the defects that had developed in one of the Artic type of planes during tests made while the MacMillan party was on its way North with these ships was introduced in the record over the objection of Col. Sherman Moreland, the trial judge advocate.
 The letter said that on July 1 the Wright stabilizer and elevator on one of the MacMillan type planes had collapsed in flight during a test at Dayton. Maj. Curry urged the War Department to advise the Navy of this fact at once. The letter explained that owing to this accident completion of the tests of the planes would be delayed for some time. 

Did Not Ask Parachutes.

 Col. Gilmore also testified that the Army had about 2,000 parachutes on hand at the time of the fatal flight of the Shenandoah, but that the Navy did not ask for any of them.
 It appeared to be Col. Mitchell's day in court, and starting this morning with sensational testimony by Capt. Robert Oldys of the war plans section of the Air Service, and continuing through the afternoon session when Lieut. Col. William B. Schauffler, Maj. H. J. F. Miller of the Militia Bureau and Col. Gilmore, took the stand in succession, the defense made marked headway in pressing its case.

Schauffler Testifies.

 William G. Schauffler, lieutenant colonel in the Reserve Corps, of this city, was the first witness called after the luncheon recess and was put in the stand to amplify the statements of Col. Mitchell regarding the training of reserves and the effect of anti-aircraft fire on airplanes. Col. Schauffler spent 98 hours flying over the enemy line in Europe, and during this time he said his plane never was hit by anti-aircraft fire. One plane of his squadron, however, was shot down by enemy machine gunfire while flying 50 feet above the ground. He declared the effect of anti-aircraft fire on airplanes was negligible.
 Col. Schauffler said he commanded a unit of reserve officers numbering 79 and located in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. He never had an official meeting of his organization, never had the group together or never had a plane assigned for its use. It existed mainly on paper, he added. On the first Defense day mobilization he said he was ordered to have his reserved form on Pennsylvania avenue and parade, while last Defense day about 45 officers in and near Washington, not under him, reported at Bolling Field to fly in five airplanes made available. Col. Schauffler thought that the annual 15-day training period for reserve officers "does very little good." and that a reserve pilot to be fit for instant duty must have at least four hours a month. His recommendations to the commanding officer if the 3d Corps Area for training as a unit and other steps never were acted upon as far as he knew.
 
Quizzed by Moreland.

 Under cross-examination by Col. Moreland, Col. Schauffler admitted that lack of funds apparently was the reason for the inefficient training schedule carried out in the Reserve Corps. Of the 6,000 officers, 5,000 would be required to learn to fly all over again in the event of hostilities. 
 Gen. Howze took up the questioning and asked him why he remained in the reserve when he has no influence or control over his unit and nothing apparently is accomplished. The witness' reply was "God Knows; I don't"
 Gen. Howze then asked the average altitude maintained during the war and the witness replied 500 feet.
 "We all were in Europe, colonel, but we never saw a plane fly at 500 feet," said the court president.
 "You must have been in a dugout, then" replied the witness, and the court roared.
 Sensational testimony designed to support testimony of Col. Mitchell that the War Department has been guilty of "criminal negligence and almost treasonable conduct in the administration of the air forces" was given before the court-martial today by Capt. Robert Oldys of the War Plans Section of the Army Air Service.
 With the courtroom hushed in suspense, Capt. Oldys in response to questions by Representative Frank R. Reid of counsel for the defense and over innumerable objections by the prosecution, testified, among other things that:
 The so-called Lassister air board of 1923 reported that "unless steps are taken at once to improve conditions the Air Service must be demobilized" and that the peace-time flying organization, having failed to "keep step" with aviation, formed no basis on which to build a flying force for war purposes. 
 Maj. Harley Wheeler was killed in a crash in Hawaii when he "tried to save his ship rather than himself" shortly after he had been told by his chief of staff, Col. Frederick Chamberlain, That he would be held responsible for further air accidents and that the pilots would be made to pay for damaged planes. Maj. Gen. Charles P. Summerall, a former member of the court-martial, was in command of the Hawaiian department at this time.

Cites Fate of "False" Report.

 The McNair report on aviation conditions in the Hawaiian Islands, although branded as "inaccurate" by Gen. Patrick, chief of the Air Service, and as glaringly erroneous by Gen. Williams, chief of ordinance, was presented before a congressional committee over their protests.
 There is no Army air force on the Pacific Coast with the exception of Rockwell Field, a testing station.
 Numerous recommendations of the chief of Air Service that the third attack group at Kelly Field be transferred to the west coast were disapproved by the War Department.
 Recommendations of Capt. Oldys that the entire air forces of the United States be sent to Hawaiian Islands to participate in the maneuvers were disapproved.
 Recommendations of Gen. Patrick for a separate air force forwarded to the War Department in 1924 has not yet been answered.
 Testimony by another witness, Maj. H. H. Arnold, also of the Air Service, who followed Capt. Oldys on the stand, tended to support Col. Mitchell's charges that high ranking officers of the military establishment have given misinformation to committees of Congress. He testified in refutation of the statement by Maj. Gen. Hugh Drum before a House committee to the effect that America's air force was on a par with those of other nations.

Court's Interest Evoked.

 Manifesting much interest in the startling statements of the youthful Capt. Oldys, who is a product of the local high schools, members of the court took the witness in hand and questioned home further about Maj. Wheeler's death, the air force on the Pacific Coast, the Lassiter board and the general staff.
  In reply, Capt. Oldys declared that a board of investigation has found that Maj. Wheeler came to his death when he attempted to turn back to the field upon development of engine trouble; that Col. Chamberlain, the chief of staff referred to as having threatened to hold Wheeler responsible for the for further accidents, was not held responsible for the tragedy; that no attack planes are stationed at Rockwell Field, and that no efforts ever has been made to carry out recommendations of the Lassiter board.
 When Brig. Gen. Ewing E. Booth, member of the court, asked Capt. Oldys how he would reorganize the general staff, if given the opportunity, the witness laconically stated:
 "The way Gen. Mitchell has recommended"
 There was a big stir in the little room as the Air Service official scored what was conceded generally to be a notable point for the defense.
Capt. Oldys Recalled.
 Capt. Robert Oldys of the office of the chief of Air Service, who was excused from the stand yesterday afternoon to procure some necessary official documents, was called when court convened at 10 o'clock. These records dealt with the personnel in the overseas garrisons, Hawaii, the Philippines and the Panama Canal. On September 30, he said, the reports showed the following strength as far as the Air Service was concerned: Hawaii, 85 officers and 930 enlisted men; Panama Canal, 58 officers and 678 men, and Philippines, 57 officers and 621 men. Representative Reid then offered these figured in evidence.
  Taking up the Lassiter report, mentioned by Col. Mitchell in his statement, Capt. Oldys described it as follows: "It is a report of a War Department committee which planned a war organization for the Air Service and a peace organization necessary as a nucleus upon which the war organization could be built in an emergency. It was made March 22, 1923, approved by the Secretary of War April 24, 1923"
 "Has it ever been carried into effect?" asked Representative Reid. Col. Moreland objected on the ground the witness was "incompetent" and Representative Reid withdrew the question and asked: "What is your duty with regard to the report?"
 "To work up the details as far as they effect the Air Service," replied Capt. Oldys.
 "Have any been put into effect?"
 Col. Moreland again objected, declaring the answer called for a conclusion.
 Col. Winship, while inclining to agree with the trial judge advocate, then addressed the counsel on both sides with the view of expediting the trial.
 "It occurred to the court this morning in connection with certain evidence given," he said, "that it may be admitted by both sides and would save very much time of the court. Inasmuch as statements of long-distance witnesses have been agreed to, wouldn't it be well with others here to come to some understanding as to what they say to the court? The court would like to have that done if possible."
 Col. Moreland replied: "We have quite a considerable number of stipulations, which will be introduced at the proper time. We are ready to do anything possible by way of stipulations, concessions and agreements." 
 The attention of the court again was turned to the record in Capt. Oldys possession, which he said was signed by the chief of personnel division of the Air Service.
 Col. Moreland declared the paper epitomized the subject, and he would like to have the records themselves from which the present one was made. He also said he would like to have the Lassiter report put into the record, and added, "The prosecution concedes that the Lassiter report is the policy of the War Department, but has not been fully carried into effect. We reserve the right to establish the reasons why it hasn't been."

Unpublished Part Read.

 Representative Reid then asked the witness to read from page 4 of the report, which incidentally, never has been made public, although references to it have occurred before aircraft investigations. 
 Taking up the report, Capt. Oldys read that "conditions are critical in the Air Service" with respect to the aircraft now in possession of the Army. "Unless steps are taken to improve conditions in the Air Service, it will, in effect, practically demobilize at an early date," he added.
 Capt. Oldys read further as follows: "We cannot improvise an Air Service, and yet it is indispensable to be strong in the air at the outset of the war."
 Representative Reid then asked the witness if his office records show anything in regard to a foreign power establishing a flight organization near the Panama Canal. Just as Capt. Oldys replied "They do" Col. Moreland objected and asked for the record. It was produced and given to Col. Moreland, and then Col. Winship asked what kind of a record it was and if it had been published. The witness said it was a "correspondence record," and President Howze announced that the court would examine it.
 "State for the court a substance of the document," Representative Reid told the witness, but Col. Winship interrupted to ask if they concerned plans for the defense of the Panama Canal.

Bars Confidential Data.

 "No, they are not plans," replied Mr. Reid and turning to the witness, asked: "Is there anything confidential about the letters?"
 "There may be about on letter"
 "Don't give that," said Representative Reid.
 Col. Winship wanted to know if the witness must give a summary of the document, and Representative Reid said he took that step to avoid reading them and thereby save the time of the court.
 Col. Moreland thought there was no necessity for the resume, as all the information was before the court and the witness might draw his own conclusions about them. The law member then asked that both sides come to an agreement about them, and Col. Moreland withdrew his objection on condition that the summary, which also was in writing, be also placed on the record.
 Representative Reid agreed and Capt. Oldys began to read: "On December 21, 1922, the American Minister to Guatemala urged that the United States take steps to facilitate the establishment of an air mail service through Central America, as alien enterprise was attempting to gain a foothold."
 Col. Moreland once more objected, declaring the matter was confidential, and Representative Reid suggested that the court be closed to find out if it was. Representative Reid said the papers merely showed that "certain alien individuals were forming flight organizations in Central America, and the War Department was notified--"
Moreland Objects.
 "He is making the same statement the witness is," interrupted Col. Moreland.
 "I'm shortening the witness," replied the defense counsel. Col. Moreland again emphasized his argument that the paper be not read to avoid publication of confidential matter.
  "Then let's clear the courtroom and go into executive session. Everything in these papers was given before the President's Air Board by Postmaster General New." Capt. Oldys verified this statement, adding in reply to a question from Col. Moreland that it was not in the present particular form. 
 Col. Winship thought it did appear confidential matter, but Representative Reid said: "Who can determine? I may bring Postmaster General New here to show that the Post Office Department planned certain things and the War Department refused to do their part."
 Col. Winship then suggested that Col. Moreland examine the papers closely and then determine if it should or should not be read. The trial judge advocate explained he was trying to save the court's time, and Representative Reid said if the summary had been admitted, "we would have been through an hour ago."
 The subject was dropped temporarily to enable Col. Moreland to look into the matter contained in the correspondence. Although it was not brought out at this time, the matter hinged around the proposal of a German controlled commercial airplane concern in Colombia, to establish an air mail route between several South American countries and Havana, via Key West. Postmaster General New in his testimony before the air board, it was recalled, told of negotiations on this subject between himself and Dr. P. P. Bauer, head of the Latin American air concern. In his testimony Mr. New emphasized that all air mail contracts must be given to American concerns in every respect, and that Dr. Bauer's firm therefore was not qualified under the law to be given a contract.
 A few days ago, however, Dr. Bauer reported to Mr. New that an all-American company had been formed and he would require a landing base near the Panama Canal. Mr. New informed him, however, the War and Navy Departments would have to pass on that. This firm, it is understood, is controlled by the junker interests of Germany, and has been operating air mail and air passenger service in Latin America for several years.
 Capt. Oldys then was examined on the so-called McNail board report. This board was composed of one Artillery and one Air Service officer appointed by the commanding general of the Hawaiian Department, to report on the defenses of the Hawaiian Islands. It met at Honolulu. After explaining that the purpose of the board was to report on the ability of anti-aircraft artillery to ward off every attack by aircraft, the witness, at direction of Representative Reid, traced the report "through military channels." He said that the report went to the adjutant general and a copy of it to the chief of Coast Artillery. The Air Service, he said, "borrowed" the report and made a copy of it.

Called to Conference.

 He was asked if he had ever attended a conference on this McNair board report in the office of the assistant chief of staff, G3. He said he had. Attending the conference, he said, were Gen. Drum, assistant chief of staff; Gen. Patrick, chief of the Coast Artillery; Gen. Williams, chief of ordnance; one other officer whom he didn't know, and himself. At this point the examination was interrupted by Col. Moreland, trial judge advocate, who asked if this conference was for the purpose of discussing war plans, and was answered in the negative.
 He said its purpose was to consider the War Department's testimony before a Navy board appointed by the President to consider aviation.

Accuracy Questioned.

 "What was said about the accuracy or inaccuracy of this report?" asked Representative Reid.
 "Gen. Patrick," replied the witness, "said he did not concur in the McNair board report. The conditions were too set. They did not approach war maneuvers. They could not possibly produce the results desired. The chief of ordnance said that he had had one of his civilian experts check the McNair board closely for mathemati-