Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-10-09
DEVELOPMENTS
FOR MAINE BASE
FOR AER0PLANES
Committee to Have Movement
in Charge Composed of Men
From the Entire State

Portland. Me-. Oct. s.-The first definite
move in the campaign which Portland.
| backed by the entire State of Maine, is
to conduct, is an endeavor to have an
aeroplane station established in Casco
bay, was made today when President
George L. Crosman of the Portland
Chamber of Commerce announced the
names of the committee which is to have
the movement in charge. The committee
represents the entire State and is made
up Of men of exceptional prominence.
Those composing it are as follows:
Hon. William NJ. Ingraham, Portland
Col. Fred n. Dow, Portland; Hon. E. B.
Winslow. Charles F. Flagg, Col. Freder-
ick Hale. Richard Payson, Frank l..
Rawson, Lieut.. Reuben X. Dyer. Rear
Admiral Robert f. Peary, Eagle Island,
South Harpswell: Hon. Edward w. Hyde,
Bath; Hon. Arthur Chaplin. Bangor; Col.
F. F. Boothby, Waterville; William d.
Pennell, Lewiston; Hon. Charles H. Pres
colt. Saco; Professor George 7. Files,
Brunswick: George L. Crosman. president
of Chamber of Commerce: w. B. Moore.
executive secretary. Chamber of Com
merce; members ex-ofhcio.
TIA each member of the committee was
sent the following letter:
Chamber Of Commerce.
Portland, Me.
Gentlemen:
In line with recommendations and Ell
forts of Rear Admiral Robert T.. Peary
to have an aeronautical station establish
er on or near Portland harbor, which
matter has been referred to this Cham
Der of Commerce for attention. l nave
been directed by President Crosnan to
notify the above gentlemen OF their ap-
pointment as the committee on this SUP
ject.
This is both very pertinent ana I'M
portant matter. not only to the citizens
of Portland but of the State of Maine as
we'll; it being conceded that this harbor
and Casco bay offer exceptional oppor-
tunity for the establishment OF such
aeronautieal station, and we have peen
fortunate in having the splendid service
of Rear Admiral Peary to direct and ald
us in this matter.
We trust that all of the gentlemen
named will accept this duty to serve the
CITY. state and nation and respond TO a
call for meeting on this subject at an
early date. -...-
Very truly yours,
l. w. B. MOORE, Elk. Sec.
Today Secretary W. B. Moore of the
Chamber of Commerce notified Rear Ad-
miral Peary of the appointment of the
committee and asking him to name a
date that would be convenient for
meeting and at which Henry A. Wise
Wood, John Hays Hammond, Jr., and
other experts of international reputation
could be present.
1t is expected that Rear Admiral Peary
will move rapidly in the matter as he is
deeply interested and the two noted sci
entists named above have told the ad-
miral that they will come to Portland on
any date he may designate.
The Chamber of Commerce is thorough
ly in earnest in this matter and feels
that with the aid of Admiral Peary and
the entire State there is strong possi-
bility of getting a government aeroplane
station established in this vicinity. With
this accomplished it is believed that 1t
will then be a comparatively easy matter
to have Casco bay designated as SUBJ
marine base and this will of course re-
ouire a supply depot, repair station ana
many other features which will be OF un-
told benefit to Maine.