Air War

With the close of Congress, the Committee of the House investigating Government aeronautics ceased its hearings. So ended, at least for the present, the famed controversy pro and con a united Air Service for Army and Navy, of which Assistant Chief of the Army Air Service Mitchell had been the central figures (TIME, Feb. 16 et seq.).

Following the closing of Congress, there were two new developments :

1) Largely for the benefit of a number of visiting Congressmen, an aircraft demonstration was held in the neighborhood of Fortress Monroe and Langley Field, Virginia. First, airplanes simulated an attack on a dummy battleship marked out on the ground, a large number of small bombs being dropped on the target. Next, airplanes towing sleeve targets were fired on by two three-inch anti-aircraft guns, by six machine guns; three of the larger shells burst so close to the small target as to be counted as scores. The third practice was at night, airplanes attempting to drop flares on Fortress Monroe while five searchlights sought them in the dark. The airplanes succeeded in approaching undetected until they dropped their flares.

2) Lieutenant Colonel James E. Fechet was nominated to succeed General Mitchell as Assistant Chief of the Army Air Service. Inasmuch as the temporary rank of Brigadier General attaches to this post, it means that General Mitchell will be reduced to his permanent rank of Colonel. This action was expected because of General Mitchell's repeated criticisms of his superior officers in connection with his demand for a united Air Force.