The Washington herald., 1913-09-22
ARMY AVIATORS
GREATLY NEEDED
Head of Signal Corps Makes
Appeal for More
Aeronauts.
FEW MEN ARE AVAILABLE
Gen. George S. Scriven Says Civilians
Cannot Be Depended Upon to
Develop Science.
FEW MEN ARE AVAILABLE

What response Congress VIII make &c
statement, very much like an appeal
in its tone, which Brig. Gen. George S
Scriven. Chief Signal Officer, U. s. A..
his issued, is holding the tense interest
OF those officers of the army who pay
an especial attention to aviation.
While the statement Is not regarded as
of the 'alarmist' type. but rather a mat
ter-Of-fact analysis Of the status of avia-
ton in its relation to the army. Gen.
Scriven's statement is rather outspoken
in its declaration that military aero
nautics in the United States are in a
critical condition.
In regard to aviation 1t may be noted. -
the statement reads, that throughout
the cOunry the number of civilians who
have heretofore undertaken to fly heavier
than-air machines for their own pleasure,
for sport. or for money making is fast
diminishing, and that Ii is doubtful
whether in the event of war a score of
men capable of making nights useful to
an army could be obtained from civil
life.
Necessity of Aviation.
But aviation, which may be considered
a sport by the people of the country at
large, is to the army a vital necessity.
The time for serious effort in this new
THE situation is critical, and the army
must, for its own protection. train a suf-
ficient number of its officers in the ham
ding of its areOplanes and in reconnois-
sance work. The army must look to it.
self and TO the men of the organized
militia to supply a reasonable number
OF officers for military aviation in case
Of necessity. This necessity may arise
at any mofhent.
1t is not a question so much OF supply
ing aviators for a great war as it is for
supplying these military scouts to ac-
company expeditiOnary forces or any
military movement that may be under
taken. and also to provide a reasonable
number for the defense from aerial at
tack of such vulnerable positions as Cor
regidOr Island. in the Philippines, and
the Panama Canal.
The work performed by the Signal
Corps in aviation during the past few
years has been inconspicuous. but II has
been very great something has been
created from nothing since the summer
OF 1909. when Orville Wright succeeded
in winning a bonus of 5000 offered by the
Signal Corps for a flight of five miles out
and five miles back from Fort Myer, Va
signal Corps Work.
Much data has been compiled on the
strength of materials, aerial forces, uses
of autobiography as applied to areo-
nautics, but most OF all the knowledge
OF engines for aeropianes and the proper
types of these machines have been care
fully worked out and valuable results
have been obtained through the efforts
Of officers OF the Signal Corps and those
associated with them. Everything is pre-
pared now for rapid progress and prac-
ttcal results If the announcement asked
from Congress is extended.
NO doubt the development of the nav
igatiOn Of the air is something new under
the SUM- but il promises to assume enor-
nous proportions. Few doubt that we
are on the verge Of developing a great
new science. 1t is no time now to make
experimental changes. whatever the fu-
ture may develop in regard to the organ
iZation OF a separate corps. This may
come. and may really be the fourth arm
Of the service; but now we are crossing
the stream and it is no time to swap
horses or to make changes which will
certainly cost the course of military avia-
ton many years Of delay.
1T is believed that the navigation Of
the air will be developed into a power
full military force. and when the prelim-
mary steps have been carried to their
conclusion and the present system
which is progressing rapidly, shall have
had the chance to demonstrate its eff
cheney. it may be that a new corps will
be added to the military forces; but the
time for the creation of a separate ex-
perimental force has not yet arrived.
1T is to be remembered that the SCI
ence of the air requires the best efforts
Of the most highly trained men in aerial