The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-22
MAIL BY A|RSH|P
MAY CONE LATER
POSTMASTER FAILS TO GET AU-
THORITY FOR ESTABLISH
ING SERVICE NOW.

WASHINGTON Dec. 21.--Leave
for the postmaster general TO estab-
fish an aeropiane mail service was
again denied by the house recently
bat at the same time practical as
sulance was given that when the re-
quest is made for money for the
aerodynamic laboratory to be estab-
Iished in Washington it viii not be
refused.
The provision for the mail services
was incorporated for the third time in
the postotiice estimates. $50. 600 be
ing asked for aeroplanes. 1t was APP
proved by the committee on post
offices and post roads and was pre-
scented in separate bill prepared by
Representative Sharp. of Ohio, au-
thorizing the postmaster general to
make contracts up to $4,000 for an
aeroplanc mail service over such
routes as seemed to him desirable.
Tho bill was called up by Pep
resentative Finley. of South Carolina,
but objection was made by Represen-
tative Mann, OF Illinois. and several
other members who have heretofore
been favorable to aviation. and the
effort TO pass the bill by unanimous
consent was defeated,
Mr. Mann said in discussing the bill
that-he had favored APPROPRIATIONS
for aeroplanes in the army and navy
and expected to favor the bill for the
establishment of an aerodynamic
laboratory under the Smithsonian in
stttution. but he did not tavor the
present bill.
The provision for letting aeroplane
mail contracts had been urged by
number of aeroplahe manufacturers,
but the objection to 1t in the eyes of the
house seemed to be the contract feature
Representatives Mann and Fitzgerald
said they would have no objection TO
giving the postmaster general reason
able amount of money to experiment
with in making and adapting aero
planes for mail carry service, but that
the use of aeroplanes by the postoffice
would entail great deal of preliminary
work, and they did not think II wise to
authorize mail contracts in an offhand
way before they know how far the con-
tractors could SO In complying with the
demands
1t is considered possible that a bill
may be drawn soon authorizing tho
postmaster general to conduct aero
plane experiments, but II Is more
probable that this authorization will
await the construction of the proposed
aerodynamic laboratory.
The Smithsonian institution has AL
ready set aside certain amount OF
money for starting the Langley
memorial laboratory. and the war and
navy departments the bureau of stand
ards and such other government Of
fees as have the facilities have been
authorized to cooperate In such prac-
tical tests as may be required by the
laboratory.
II is NOT yet certain where the first OF
the main laboratory buildings win be
located, but inquiries have been made
Of the war department as to whether
a site could he secured in the eastern
terminus Of Potomac park--the section
now being completed east OF the rail-
way bridge. No official answer to this
inquiry has been returned, but II is be-
Heved the site VIII be available when
the time comes. especially as the de-
partment has been assured that the use
of the site will not interfere with the
development of that part of the park
as a public playground. one of the
things the war department has In mind