The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-02-11

ors; those who study aviation scien-
tifically for the public good, and those
who make it a source OF gain. The
former are to be subdivided into those
who study it. of their own initiative,
and those, military men especially,
who study it under orders. To an
swer the question with regard to the
first class one must consider the good
to be obtained and the possibility OF
reducing the danger OF death. Avia-
ton clearly offers no such universal
good as would allow its investigators
to expose their lives without limit to
serious danger. On the other hand,
it seems within certain limits to prom
Use some utility to society, hence ex-
perimenting in it would be lawful,
provided the risk Of death can be re-
duced 1t must be noted very care
fully that this reduction OF death risk
is more than condition sine qua non
1t is an essential element of practical
aviation. 1t is not aviation, but safe
aviation, that will confer a benefit on
mankind. Hence safety in aviation
must be the principal object OF scicn-
li1ic experiments. The improving OF
the machine, rather than length and
speed of flight, must be sought first
OF all.
Such precautions would, in our
opinion, make it lawful for one to en-
gage OF his own initiative in the sci
entific study of aviation. With re-
gard TO military men, we remark that
the utility of aviation appears more
clearly in connection with their pro-
fession than with regard to the gen.
eral public. Hence they are more free
to experiment in it. Moreover, as We
have seen, their calling supposes serl-
Gus danger of life for the publics
good, and they have to obey orders.
Wherefore, though, as far as possible,
they must use the precautions we
have indicated, the chief responsible
ity for these rests with their super
iors. - s'-,' = '1---.--'-..-
AS to the aviators who Use the art
for gain, we do not see how, as things
are today, their practice can be ap-
proved. Aviation is far more danger
GUS than rope dancing Or the flying
trapeze, and the constant recurrence
of fatalities shows that the avialorS
neither have acquired the skill nor
take the precautions to eliminate or
lessen the peril. No useful end can
be conceived as the result of their
records and downward swoops and
plunges, as the more scientific await
ors admit. These and similar feats
are undertaken only for the purpose
of moving admiration by the skill and
nerve they require. We admit the
value of skill and nerve in men with
a good prospect of life; and if such
spectacular aviation can be made as
safe as hunting and polo, We should
be glad to see young men exchanging
the hunter and the pony for the mono
plane and biplanc. But skill and nerve
in men at the gates of death is worth
less.
Some may think that the enormous
prizes to be gained by such feats
justify one in exposing his life to
imminent peril But this is not SO
There is no proportion between the
two Moreover, the means used to col
lect the money for the prizes, as
well as to give them, is unlawful.
The aviation meet has become spec.
ulation. Spectators to furnish the
funds have to be attracted. The per-
formances, therefore, must be spect-
acular. In this each meeting must
surpass it's predecessor. The conse-
quence is steady rise in fatalities
WHICH CduHOL DC JuSIlIleu.
The promoting Of such meetings is
to be looked upon in the same light
as the performing in them. Whether
the spectators invidiually are to be
blamed is not so clear. AS things are
at present, few will give much thought
to their responsibility, and one here
and there led to The spectacle by cur
iosity neither encourages it by his
presence, nor would his absence tend
to prevent it. An exception should,
however, be made when the spectator
is a person Of great social Importance.
One word may be added of great
practical utility. The aviators of the
first class are obliged, according to
the danger incurred, to put them
selves in a state of grace. No one
may take difnite risk of eternal
1oath Hance chO111d tbav fa1l into