AMERICAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1925, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS

tUSTHAtUAN AND N.Z. OABLJS ASSOCIATION. XFRAII’S GREAT FEAT. NEW YORK, February 11. Nurmi to-night accomplished the task, hitherto considered impossible of human achievement, of running two miles in 8.48 1-5. U.S.A. AIR DEFENCE. HOME SENSATIONAL STATEMENTS (Rr-veived this day at 9 a.m.) M ASIIINGTON, February I f. Public interest throughout the country i.s now centred on the aviation, controversy. Contradictory testimony, much at it of a sensational character, is being given before the House Aircraft Committee which is sitting to investigate Senator .Mitchell’s charges and inquire into the whole situation and make recommendations to President Coolidge.

Witnesses included 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 the innovations in the British Air Forces and produced evidence that Rritain had devised methods whereby airplanes can he refueled from the air hv surface ships, thus giving them an unlimited radius of action. Colonel Hartley also described a now bombing method by which British planes would he certain to hit. vessels.

Senator .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 Seliauffler, an Air Reserve Officer, alleged that during the 1923 bombing tests on the warships Yiginia and New Jersey. Admiral Shoemaker changed the statement intended to ho issued over the name of Gneral Pershing on the effect of the bombing, the Admiral saying: “ It is true, every hit of it; but, my God, we can’t let this out or it would ruin the navy.” Admiral Shoemaker denied the above statement before the committee declaring the article stated the aviation standpoint of the tcsls, but did not include the naval side, lie added two paragraphs, explaining that the ship’s bombed were not watertight, which ■ changes General Pershing approved.

The Committee, on the recommendation of General Patrick, head ol the air service, decided to deal in executive session with the reports ol the aerodynamic experts ofn the aircraft designs previously rejected by the army and navy. The reports are said to show that some designs refused as impracticable were found to he valuable.

The committee is expected to ask lor extended time to make a report.