The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-29
NATION REALIZES PART OF A|RPLANE
 IN WINNING WAR
From Estimated Need of $1,OOO,OOO It Is Proposed to Spend 500 Times
 This Amount
By HUGH w. ROBERTS


 bill already prepared for introduction. 60O00O,0OO is provided for aeroplanes.
 The United States government has reached the conclusion that the war against Germany will be decided neither on land nor the water-but in the air.
 With the appropriation which event. ually will be available, the sky over the battle fields of Europe will be filled with these big beetle battle planes, and strategists are convinced that as a re- suit the road to Berlin will be the sooner opened.
 It appears to be the unanimous opin- ion of Congress that no hesitancy should be indulged in voting the enormous sum contained in the bill.
 $1,OO0,0OO TO $500, 100000 How the idea of the government re- garding aeroplanes expanded from $1,oOo,- GOO to $500, 00O0 900 is an inside story which serves to illustrate the prodigious pro- portions of everything connected with the war.
 the administration war bill contained a provision for $1,O00 GOO to be expended in building airships.
 New York millionaire enthusiasts came to Washington with protests. They in- sisted that a sum as large as $14,000 900 be expended. They visited a certain gen. eral who serves Secretary Baker as aid and adviser. He declared that the gov ernment could not use $14,000.000
 Secretary Baker was next visited. He told the New Workers that $1, ,0000 900 would be sufficient.
 TO THE PRESIDENT
 oil da1 ad hp in giStept delPga- ton visited the President. They told their story. The President was inter- ested.
 He advised them to see MT. Hay, at that time chairman of the House mili- tary committee. The visitors replied that MT Hay looked with disfavor on their plans.
 The President then suggested Senator Chamberlain, chairman of the Senate military committee. MT. Chamberlain was interviewed and he agreed to in crease the figure in the bill from $1 ,000,000 to $14,000,000
 Senator Chamberlain then suggested to the New Workers that some admin istration authority fe induced to appear before his committee and testify to the necessity of expending $14,000000 for air. ships.
 "SWAMPED WITH MONEY" Secretary Baker appeared. It is possi- ble that he had seen the President. At any rate, he declared to the committee that in his opinion Congress should ap- propriate $140O0,000 The bill went through.
 Sometime later, the general connected with the war department above referred to, encountered the New Workers.
 Well" said he, you have induced Congress to give us $14,00O,000 for air ships. We are seriously distressed be- cause we do not know what to do with the money"
 In less than two years, following that statement the governmentis asking Con- gress for $500, ,oOoOO0, and the government will get it.
 RUTH STINSON CONVINCES Ruth Stinson following her flight from Buffalo to Washington, declared that from her vantage ground. she could have destroyed the capitol
 She could have done so had she been armed with bombs and had her aim been good.
 For, at great height above the dome and a wondering gallery, she repeatedly encircled the building. Her machine re- minded one of a giant beetle, buzzlns angrily and darting hither and thither as if in search of prey.
 It was an impressive lesson to gaping members There is no question but that Da annrOnria =