Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-29
A|RSH|PS FOR NAVY
Capt. Chambers Outlines a
Form of Organization:
WOULD ESTABLISH COUNCIL
Recommends an Appropriation of
$4,000.
TRAINING OF THE OFFICERS
Urges Acquisition Of Machines and
Study of Aviation From a
Nautical Viewpoint.
WOULD ESTABLISH COUNCIL
TRAINING OF THE OFFICERS

| Owing to the desire for economy in the
present administration. whereby all the
departmental estimates have been scaled
down severely. there has been no appli-
| cation made to Congress this session for
any money for aeronautics. in spite of the
| fact that members Of the appropriations
| committee assured both the War and
Navy departments that 1t such applica-
ton were made it would be granted.
There have been recommendations for
the appropriation of funds for aeronau-
| tics made by the signal service Of the
Navy departments that II such applica-
charged with aeronautic investigation
for the Navy Department. The latter was
Capt Washington I. Chambers, who out
| lined a form Of aeronautic organization
| for the Navy Department and recon-
| mended the appropriation of $4,000 to
begin the work
Fairly Well Equipped Plant.
| The report Of Capt. Chambers to the
Secretary of the Navy calls attention to
the fact that the Navy Department is al
ready fairly we'll equipped with plant
| for carrying on such Investigations as
would be Immediately needed. The Wash
linton navy yard. he says. has a plant
adapted to the scientific investigation of
problems connected with the design and
| construction of aeroplanes. There also is
| an experimental station at Annapolis for
| investigating the problem OF motor power
/ and for testing. In view Of these facts.
| he says that the equipment of aerOplanes
| and the installation of motive power
might well be placed in a parallel with
the power boats of the navy and acquired
In like manner as equipages.
| There has not yet been developed, he
| aeYOnlAneS designed
| for naval service. and for this reason he
recommends only the immediate purchase
OF such of the existing types of aero
planes as are desirable for the instruction
Of officers and their development into
competent aviators. He. therefore. rec
| ommends the appropriation of $4,000 so
1 that this work can be carried on in a Sys-
tematic way.
Machines Should Be Acquired.
Referring to the United States Aero
nautical Reserve. he says the depart
ment is fortunate in bein able to rely
on this organization for skilled operators
and. If necessary. for instructors and
some machines. but he says it would be
folly for the department to depend en-
tireiy on this source, and that the navy
| should at once acquire machines Of its
own and master the subject Of aviation.
| so as to advance the science from a nau-
teal standpoint and make the civilian
i constructors familiar with naval require
/ ments.
From the beginning Capt. Chambers
Il says he would recommend apportioning
| two aeroplanes or at least one two-seat-
] calls attention to the fact that Glenn
/ Curtfss has already made some indie
pendent experiments with machines de.
4 signed to land on and rise from the
\ fcv hut hA hny Ne nnf
should be studied by a specially appointed
board Of experts from the department.
Use Of Wireless Telegraphy.
| For practical work, Capt. Chambers
! says that instruction in wireless telegra-
ply should go hand in hand with avia-
| ton, and that the machines should be so
equipped that either the telegraph operator
or the other man carried should be able
| to assume the operation of the aeroplane
He says that the Navy Department al
ready has two good practice fields avail
able. one adjoining the Naval Academy
at Annapolis, for summer work. and the
other at Charleston. S. c.. for winter
work. Both places could be put in shape
for use at a small expenditure Of labor.
The department could also easily obtain
a field near the coaling station at San
| Diego, Cal, and this, he says, would be
| In close touch with the aerodrome es-
tablished by Glenn Curtiss at Los Angeles.
Capt. Chambers goes at some length into
| the methods of instruction, insuring the
| safety Of the students, and says that
| while the first aerOplanes are being Sc
| cured at least one officer should be sent
to each established aerodrome in the
country for training and observation.
| This has already been done in the case Of
Lieut.. EllysOn, who has been detailed at
the Curtis aerodrome in southern Califor-
| mia.
| Drovooad Aaro,oy<4oo1 ro,o,;1