New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-15
American Aid Planned to
Win Aero Supremacy
for Allies
May Decide War,
Supporters Say
Coffin Tells Senate Commit
tee How Germans Should
Be Crushed
From The Tribune Burraul

Washington, June ii.-Six hundred
million dollars for aeroplanes will be
asked Of Congress in a new appropra-
tion bill TO be introduced in a few days
at the request Of the Council of Ma
tional Defence.
This is to be in addition to the s64,-
100000 just appropriated for aircraft
in the s3,2sl 100000 war appropriation
measure now waiting the Presidents
signature. The total for aircraft, il
the new bill passes without change in
amount, will be just two-thirds Of a
billion dollars. Plans for spending
that amount have been worked out by
the council.
II was in desire to arouse sem
timent which would force this unprec-
edented appropriation through Con-
gress that Howard f. Coffin, chairman
of the committee on aircraft of the
Council of National Defence, gave out
his interview, printed in The Tribune
this morning, pointing to the tremen-
dous service which this country could
render Immediately by using all possi-
BILE resources of the nation to obtain
supremacy in the air.
Even in Washington, few Admins
tration officials had realized that the
part to be played by the United States
in air fighting-in the plans of the
council, at least-had reached such
proportions. There was mild feeling
on Capitol Hill that Congress had been
liberal in voting more than sixty mill
ions for aircraft, and now the council
is about to ask for ten times that
much more.
May Aid New Department Plan
This mammoth appropriation, it is
thought, may lend strength to the
move to establish separate Cabinet
portfolio for aeronautics, as urged by
Rear Admiral Peary, of North Pole
fame, and Lieutenant Colonel Rees, Of
the British Royal Flying Squadron, be-
fore a Senate committee this week.
Six hundred millions for aircraft is
not explained merely by America doing
her share in maintaining air supremacy
on the Western front, or in fighting the
submarine with hydro -aeroplanes. 1t
looks to complete aerial supremacy
above the German army, TO complete
domination Of the air over the German
lines of communication, and to seri-
Gus interference with those lines, thus
making the task of the men in the
Entente trenches much easier.
Enthusiasts in the Council of Ma
tional Defence and elsewhere. includ-
ing members of the missions from the
Entente Allies, believe that this cond-
ton, which can be brought about, they
say, if America puts her shoulder to
the wheel for all she is worth, will
win the war quickly and speedily be.
fore there has been an opportunity for
the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands
of American lives in trench fighting.
Would Assure Trench Success
A domination of the air back OF the
German lines, which would make il
virtually impossible for the Germans
to bring up reinforcements or supplies.
would, were it effective, il is asserted.
make success by the Allies in the
trench fighting sure. It is declared
positively that this can be done il
America supplies a sufficient number OF
aeroplanes and fiers.
Before the Senate subcommittee
which is considering the Sheppard
Hubert bill to create a separate de-
par'ment of aeronautics. with its sec
retary in the Presidents Cabinet, Mr..
Coffin to-day urged the tremendous i'm
portance of America doing all it can to
maintain aero supremacy over Ger
many.
an the eight years previous to 1916"
said Mr.. Coffin, "the government placed
orders for aircraft in this country for
something like ffty-nine machines. At
tie beginning of the war we had no
industry in this country which had
been fostered in any way by govern
nent support, and We have practically
entered this wartime situation with no
Industry behind US.
when appropriations were made
under last years bill twenty-nine or
ders had been placed by the military
service for about 800 or 400 machines.
| think we got out of that order about
100 or l75 machines. When We get into
a crisis such as we are now in it is not
a question Of governmental orders, or
OF dollars and cents; it Is a question
OF material and time and organization.
Americas Part in Air Struggle
at is easy for the War and Navy
departments, in view Of foreign ex-
perience. now 20 decide upon the types
of machines necessary. IL is not so
easy. however. 20 produce machines IN
this country in the quantities demand
ed and of the quality and types nee
essary under conditions OF modern