THE AIRCRAFT PROGRAM

When the muddle over the aircraft situation gets so bad that there are threats and charges of criminal prosecution, it is time that the matter be taken hold of with a firm hand. Like many other of our war projects, the whole affair is surrounded with a haze of conjecture and uncertainty, but the mists have been cleared away sufficiently to reveal corruption and downright fraud of the worst order. The reports of Mr. Borglum, the special commissioner, and of the Aeronautical Association of America, when added to the recent admission that building was practically at a standstill, leave these facts beyond a doubt.

With the superiority or the air uncertain, we can ill afford these delays. Violent methods to remedy them, such as the prospective criminal prosecution, must be resorted to. We shall have no adequate aircraft production until the men whose corrupt power has caused the failure of the program have completely been rooted out.