New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-30
AERO CLUB URGES
S2S,975,OOO PLAN
Submits to Administration
Full Scheme for Aerial
Defence.

Washington. June % A committee
Of the Aero Club Of America, headed
by Allan R. Hawley. president, and
Henry Woodhouse. Governor, visited
Washington to-day on behalf of aerial
preparedness. The committee. with
Representative George Murray Hubert,
Of New York. were in conference with
Administration officials at the White
House and the War and Navy depart
ments. and with Secretary Tumulty.
Senator George f. Chamberlain, chair
man Of the Committee on Military At
fairs; Secretary of War Baker, Cen
eral George p. Scriven, Chief Signal
Officer and Colonel George O. Squier,
in charge of army eeronautics. They
also met Secretary Daniels.
At the request of Secretary Baker
the committee submitted TO the War
Department a plan for aerial prepared
ness calling for S26,975, 900. This plan
provides for an aero squadron for each
Of the twelve militia divisions called
out. Each squadron costs for organ
ization. equipment and maintenance for
one year 100000, making a total OF
100000. For the four regular divi-
sioas Of the army four aero squadrons
are provided, 20 cost S3,2OO,OOO. For
the three coast artillery districts the
club declares there should be at least
SIX aero squadrons, at cost OF S4,-
500. 900.
AS 800 aviators are needed imme-
L i nd E'nTO-
pean practice have shown that only
one-third of the men trained for AVA
ton usually qualify for military SER
vice." says the committees plan, TO
get the 800 aviators needed II Will,
therefore, be necessary to train 900
men. To train these men 10 is neces-
sary 20 allow one aeroplane in opera
ton and one in reserve for every four
men, making a total of 450 aeroplanes
needed to train 600 men and keep them
in training until they have been IN
cluded in aero corps training. Aero
planes cost an average of $500 each,
making a total for training machines
Of S3,375.000.
ITO train and keep in training be-
tween three hundred and six hundred
men will require ten aviation schools,
or one school for every thirty students,
the time required TO train each IN
military aerOnautics being between
three and six months To establish
these schools. which are 10 be partly
schools for training and partly schools
for graduating, will cost about 5000 900
for each school, or a total of 100000
Whereas dirigibles and kite or OBJ
servation battalions are badly needed,
and are invaluable for certain purposes,
il is necessary to take steps 70 provide
them. 1t is recommended that $4,000 900
be allowed for this purpose, to remain
available until spent.
For a motor competition, testing OF
automatic stabilizers and other devices,
and aeroplanes promising 10 develop IN
herent or automatic stability IN aero
planes. for a safety competition and
other similar development intended to
increase the safety, ease Of operation
and usefulness Of aeroplanes, II is rec
commended that the sum Of Sl,OOO,0O0
be made available"
The committee says that this plan
provides only for the aeronautical
equipment necessary where the country
can defend itself If attacked by any one
Of the first or second class powers.