The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-16

United States AerOnautical
Reserve Has Wonderful
Growth and Has In
dOrSement of Mill.
tary ChieftainS.
Big CAPT. CHARLES j. FOx.

flights during the last week. especially
his visit 10 the White House in his nj
plane and the feats Of Clifford B. Har-
mon americas champion amateur aerial
navigator, have focused the attention OF
the people OF Washington on the United
States Aeronautical Reserve And those
who arranged the meet at Benning IN
tended that II should be so.
II was not mere chance that Commo-
dore John Barry Ryan. eOmmander-in-
chief of the reserve, and Clifford 3,
Harmon, his chief OF STAFF, accompanied
the great English aviator 10 Washington
and did all they could to make his ex-
hibit success.
His flights were intended primarily 10
attract the attention OF army. naval. and
National Guard officers, and the public
in general TO the Importance of the
aeroplane as a weapon OF national de-
Tense. and 20 the United States Aeronau-
tHcal Reserve as a great patriotic or
ganization OF men, who in the event
OF war, will volunteer their services in
the newest, and in this country en-
tirely undeveloped. branch of military
science. aeronautics.
see Value of the Reserve.
= week ago in Washington it was
rather a difficult matter 10 interest the
man in the street in the aeroplane as an
engine of war. Even though he were too
polite 10 tell you SO, il was easy to dis
Germ that he thought YOU We're looking
into the far distant future. To-day, how
ever, the flights of Grahame- White and
CLIFFORD B. Harmon. especially when the
huge biplane descended gracefully on Ex-
ecutive avenue have demonstrated 10 all
the vast possibilities OF the heavier than
air machine.
Just as Commodore Ryan and Mr. Har-
mon selected the most opportune mo-
ment 10 launch the United States Aero
nautical Reserve upon a national career.
50 also have they selected, in the Capital
81 the country. the most effective method
Of demonstrating 10 the highest officials
OF the army and navy and to the general
public the vast possibilities Of the aero
plane as an engine OF war and the
equally great necessity, under present
conditions, Of such an organization as the
Aeronautical Reserve has grown 10 be.
When Grahame-White, who will prob
ably be commandcv-in-chief OF the British
Royal Aeronautical Reserve. which pat
termed after the American organization.
IS being rapidly formed in England and
her colonies. few over the Capital of this
country and descended IN the street be-
tween the White House and the state
War, and Navy Building, he did more
10 impress upon the public the possibli-
ties Of air craft than months of argu-
ment or tons OF literature on the subject
could have done
A. an Object Lesson.
When Commodore Ryan and Mr. Har-
mon encouraged Mr. Grahame- White TO
come here they foresaw his value as an
object lesson for the United States Aero
nautical Reserve, and in the spirit OF a
trgo sportsman Mr. White. a foreigner,
oheerfully consented out at Benning to
drop from mis- machine application blanks
Tor membership in Americas aerial
scouts"
The United States Aeronautical Reserve
Is a nationwide association OF aeroplane
inventors, professional and amateur de-
signers and builders OF aeroplane engines
and other aerial equipment. army and
navy officials prominent in the regular
service and in the militia OF the States.
hnanciers, statesmen, newspaper men,
sportsmen, and hundreds Of others in
terested in aeronautics.
The members are all. from the highest
authorities in army and navy circles to
the humblest aeroplane mechanics. band
ed together TO advance the aeroplane as
war engine
The actual recruiting work began about
September l at the Harvard Boston aero
meet. and to-day thousands OF American
citizens have signihed their approval Of
the movement by application for men,
bership.
The basic idea OF the United States
Aeronautical Reserve is a patriotic one.
quite as much as It is an effort to ad-
vance aeronautioal science in all its
branches.
Not "a Commercial Venture.
II is not in any sense a commercial
proposition in the interests Of any manu-
facturer Of seroplanes or aeroplsne sup.
plies.
It's officers. inspired by the highest
patriotic motives. work without salary
or other pecuniary remuneration.
The association has established a ma.
t!onsl organization OF men trained in the
practice, as well as the theory OF avia-
ton ready 10 place at the disposal or
their country whsQ needed, their services
backed by thoroughly equipped and well
organized reserve.
The highest government of.clals are
alert 10 the interest other nations are
officially taking IN the heavier thau-air
machines. dirigibles and balloons. are Of
the opinion that these must be rsckoned
with and developed to the same extent as
other war equipment.
Army Gives Endorsement.
The following letter to Commoder Ryan
from Beekman Winthrop. Acting Secre-
tary of the Navy shows that the Navy
Department is deeply interested in the
association
Replying 10 your letter OF the 23d
instant requesting an officer of the United
States Navy be designated with whom
the United States Aeronautical Reserve
may consult and correspond in regard TO
its relations with the Navy Department
The department is pleased to designate
Capt W Irving Chambers. l. S N,
now attached 10 the Office OF The Secre-
tary OF the Navy. as its representative
for this purpose"
The War Department is equally inter
ested as shown by the following letter
from Gen Robert Shaw Oliver, Acting
Secretary OF War. TO Commodore Ryan:
Referring to your letter OF the sd
instant requesting an officer OF the
United States army be designated 20 con-
suit and correspond with the United
States Aeronauticai Reserve In regard 20