Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-29

sands of aeroplanes and trained avfators are to
be our contribution to the war. 1t is estimated
that the French and British governments are each
turning out over four thousand aeroplanes O.
month. The United States is going to turn out AZ
like number, as soon as the machinery gets going.
Even the national council of defense however,
must await the action of American democratic leg
1slation before the plan may be put into effect
There is no use getting impatient Congress must
discuss the wisdom of the measure and prepare
extensive reports before the legislative machinery
even starts. The president has asked for six hun
dred million dollars for aircraft, and some one is
almost certain to oppose the appropriation of such
large amount. There must be something left in
the treasury for United States postoffices.
Aside from the question of helping the allies
the United States needs aircraft. For long time
we have had practically none. 1t must be remem-
bered with pride that the American invention-or
perfection. In 1908, the Wright brothers took out
patent on the first practical heavier-than-air
chine Subsequently they offered 1t to the gov
eminent for hundred thousand dollars. The gov
eminent was not interested. The Wright brothers
therefore began to develop it their own account,
incidentally acting inspiration for the whole
of Europe. BY 1911, the larger countries of Eu-
rope all had their aerial fleets attached to the
mics, while the United States government was just
beginning to realize sad mistake.
Even then, however, no effort was made to in
crease our aerial facilities. At the beginning Of
the war, we had three aeroplanes for the army and
three for the navy, but the atmosphere had to be
In unusually good condition before they would
WOrk. at the same Cl1n6 Germany ana England
had over a hundred each
Now, at last, in the third year Of the war, we
waking up, rubbing the sleep from eyes
and suddenly discovering the enormous Importance
of the modern aeroplane. few months ago, the
war department ordered few American army Off,
GERS to Canada. The officers went directly to Bor-
den, Ontario where the Canadian government
maintains one of its four aviation camps. The Off
GERS made notes on everything they saw, and then
they visited one Of the Canadian technical schools.
AS result of what they learned, aviation has now
been introduced into numerous engineering schools
and universities which include the Universities Of
California, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts,,
Cornell and the American Institute Of Technology.
Students taking the aviation course are to spend
six months learning the scientific end OF Tying, It's
foundation and theories Then they are to enter4
government aviation camps.
So we are getting in line The navy Is expert,
menting with wireless by aeroplane, and the coast
defense guard is planning a system of aerial coast
defense American aeroplane factories are prepar-
ing to supply the government orders to be shipped
tn Europe as soon congress provides the money
We plan to have fifty thousand aeroplanes with
ayIators and mechanics to send against The Ger
mans We have set out to anwer the question, u
boat or aeroplane-which?" In the right way.