South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-07-28
New ArmyDefense
Bill ApproUed by
american Aero Club

the opinion that the new army de-
Tense bill provides admirably for the
immediate mobilization Of the mill
tary and volunteer resources for
the formation OF an extensive plan
Of aerial defense. Alan r. Hawley,
president Of the organization. has
written the following letter to
President Wilson:
New York. July 10. 1915.
Hon. Woodrow Wilson. President Of
the United States.
White House. Washington, d. c.
My dear Mr. President:-The Ex-
ecutive Committee of the Aero Club
OF America begs TO express its ap-
probation of the personal cOnsidera-
ton given 70 the matter of develop
ing the aeronautical branch OF our
land defenses by yourself. Sen.
George +. Chamberlain and the
other members &C the Senate Com
mittee of military affairs: Congress
man James Hay. and the other MEM
bers of the House Committee on
military affairs; and Newton ID.
Baker, your Secretary of War.
Your action in authorizing the
formation of the Aerial Reserve
Corps, which permits in very
thorough and efficient way. the en-
listing of civilian aviatOrs-business
men, sportsmen, and others who
pilot aerOplanes-to become part Of
the national defense, under the sup
ervision of the Army, with the op-
portunity of keeping up their train
ing and gaining efficiency under the
direction of the Army, establishes a
policy which enables us TO have a
body of trained aviators, who are
oVaila BILE 10 meet a national emer-
gency
The air service of first and second
class powers has developed tremen-
dously in the past two years, and
to-day there are not less than half
a dozen countries having each be-
tween 1000 and 5000 aviators II
national safety demands that we, too
develop our air service until we have
thousands Of aviatOrs available to
meet an emergency, this policy en-
ables the majority of them 10 be en-
ployed in peaceful pursuits, using
aerOplanes as vehicles of transpor-
| tation. for sport. carrying mail
! itarian purposes.
The Executive Committee has
studied very carefully the provisions
| of the National Defense Act of 1919
for the developing of the aerial de-
lenses in connection with the LAND
forces and finds that adequate pro-
vision was made in the Act for the
practical mobilization of the military
and volunteer resources available
To form an extensive plan of aerial
defenses.
Section 81 and 80 very admirably
provide for the direction of the inn
pulses and efforts of patriotic cit
liens who wish 10 become, part OF
the Aerial Reserve Corps, making
1t possible to form a reserve com
! Prising 296 aviators and 1000 en-
listed men; the Federalizing of the
/ Militia makes it possible to develop
the twelve aero corps for the twelve
Militia Divisions, on the direction OF
the War Department, maintaining
the standard of the Regular Army
Section 3 provides for the increasr
by authorization from you, of the
personnel of the aviation section OF
| the Army, the FIVE increments, pro.
viding sufficient personnel TO enable
| the aviation section of the Army tC
/ thoroughly supervise the organizing
of the Aerial Reserve Corps and the
twelve aero squadrons for the twelve
/ Militia Divisions.
The Executive Committee of the
] Aero club has learned from Sen
! George +. Chamberlain, Chairman
of the Senate Committee on Military
Affairs. and Congressman Jane:
/ Hay Chairman of the House Com
mittee on Military Affairs, that th'
Committees of both Houses ap
prove the proposed appropriation o
! $13.2S1,666 for the developing o
aviation in the Army and Militia es
tablishing the Aerial Reserve Corp
and providing for developments of
technical nature to increase the eff
fciency and utility of aircraft.
The new Defense Act. therefore
provides most admirably for the i'm
mediate mobilization of the militar,
and volunteer resources to form al
extensive plan of aerial defenses.
Again expressing our appreciation
of the personal interest you hav,
taken in developing our aerial de
lenses and assuring you that tn
Aero Club of America will continu
TO cooperate in every way possibl
in the accomplishment of this pur
| pose, / beg TO remain,
Very sincerely yours, Alan r
Hawley, President, Aero Club o
| America.