New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1916-06-24
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| There is concerted action on the
| part of several enthusiastic young
men in this city, the sort of endeavor
| that may be eventually fruitful for
| the United States Army. This move
ment has for its ultimate end the es-
| adjustment hc"o Of t~7irin~ camp
wherein civilian aviators will train
men for service il the army aerial re-
! serve. Should tho war department
| at Washington, aided and abetted by
! make the necessary arrangements,
New Britain may be one of the first
cities in the nation to produce a squad
of youthful aviators for service on the
border.
1t is now going on ten years since
the United States army bought it's
first aeroplane from the Wrights. 1t
does not take a long stretch of the
imagination to go back to those days
when flying was first introduced at
Fort Mye1, Virginia, and when army
officers took lessons from the two
brothers from Dayton. Shortly after
these experiments Uncle Sam pur-
chased a machine and sent the army
aviation squad on its way rejoicing
Shortly after that the enthusiasm
seemed to die out. For a time there
was activity of this nature and the ma
ton seemed to be on the verge of do
ing wonders in aviation. The United
States army set up a new school
of aeronautics at College Park, Md,
and some four or five machines were
in constant use. After a full Summer
of it there, the school was moved to
San Diego, California, and there pro-
gress seemed to halt. Today, after
all the advantages that were at first
thrown in the way of the army,
Uncle Sans flying service has only
fifteen aviators available for duty.
With the conditions as they exist in
Mexico it is imperative that an efficient
aerial squad be recruited at once, and
experts are not reluctant to say that
before the work is over.
Chairman Hay of the House Military
Committee has been requested by the
Aero Club of America to cast aside
his lethargy and get out and work for
in the army. The directors
Of this club have requested Congress
to authorize the establishment of
camps for civilian aviators
who may be later drafted into the |
ranks of the reserve army. The ap- |
preparation asked is 100000, and |
the club affirms that this sum although |
one of the smallest yet asked for ma |
tional defense would prove eventually |
to be one of the most effective. There
IS much truth in the statement. Pres |
7nt day warfare has proven that |
aerial reconnaissance is of great pro-
lection to an army. The incident at |
Carrizal last Wednesday when a troop
If American cavalry was led into
rap under a flag of truce may have
been averted had an aerial scout been
sent over the ground first. Something
should be done in this direction. The
United States army has every reason
o demand good aerial corps 1t
las every reason to believe that if
Congress stands behind it in this mat
er and lays aside petty partisan poll
les for the moment the youth Of the
09T will Gil he ortc nd
hands to the upbuilding of this de-
0artment The boys of New Britain
ire willing and ready to contribute
heir services and there are other
cities in the nation that would well
come the establishment of training
schools within their confines. Give US
he machines, and we will produce
he men.