El Nuevo mexicano., 1917-05-03
CONGRESS HAS
TIED UP UNCLE
SANS AERIAL
ARM OF DEFENSE
Thirteen Millions For
Aeronautics Has Been
Useless
NO PLACE TO FLY
OR TO KEEP THEM
(By Carl II. Butman.)

Washington, May EVERY day W,
read in the press Inquiries as to VIII,
something hasn't been done towart
establishing a suitable aerial corps fol
the army. The real answer is, III
has" But first the auditor and comp
troller Of the treasury tied up the ap
preparation, then the last Congress
failed to legislate specifically on the
matter, although they had appropriat
ed the funds, and now the item on
which the whole aviation armament OF
the country depends is in the army
bill, tied up in conference.
Ever since August, 1916, a sum OF
over $13,000,000 has been available for
aeronautics; the army appropriation
bill passed by the last congress car.
ried an item Of $14, 2S1,7 66 for the sig
nal service of the army, Of which $13,.
2S0,666 was appropriated to be expend-
ed for aeronautics.
But when the secretary of war or his
representatives endeavored to estab.
fish aviation schools, posts, and exper-
mental stations, and provide storage
facilities for the army, the author and
of the treasury ruled that
the funds appropriated in 1916, under
the limitations contained in the bill
could not be expended for these pur-
poses.
1t would be futile to buy a lot Of
aeroplanes without having places and
facilities for experimenting, testing,
and housing them, or schools where
prospective aviators might learn to op-
crate them. An aeroplane can not be
operated by anyone without study and
instruction, and can not be stored out
In the open; it takes a few lessons
TO learn how to run an automobile, and
a garage is a very necessary adjunct.
Without a place for storing and pro-
aircraft, or ground for the To-
cation of hangers, shops, etc., there
be no development of the army
aircraft service.
Following the ruling mentioned
above, the secretary of war addressed
! letter to the speaker of the house
IN January 6, 1917, including a sug-
yested amendment to the urgent def
,iency bill, authorizing the use Of a
of the appropriation for the es-
of the schools, posts, ex-
stations. proving grounds
md buildings necessary.
Congress, however,, paid no attention
0 this request and the result is that
t was found impossible to proceed
With the speeding up of the delivery
# machines, their development, or
he training of students, since there
no place available where they could
e assembled or used. Four months OF
aluable time for preparation and the
of aviators has been lost since
he secretary's request through this
ilatory inaction Of congress, and to.
ay we are no further advanced than
,e were in August, 1916, when the ap-
%ropriation was made.
At the present moment plans for
rounds and buildings are ready and
he scheme of organization is perfect
d, but everything is held up pending
he granting of authority to utilize the
preparation. This is provided for in
he army appropriation bill which
assed the house April 4 and the SEN
tie, with amendments, April IL, 1917.
ut which is still in conference.
The war department has done it's
est to secure the passage of this inn
crtant legislation, and so has the ma.
ional advisory committee for aero
autics. 1t is now up to Congress, es.
the conferees.
LHIL. ILE| NNrM" wa