New Britain herald., 1917-08-07
RECRUITING ARMY
 0F AIRMEN IN EAST
Aviation Corps Is Seeking 25,000
 Students Here

students and graduates will be ap- pealed to, to supply Americas avia- ton army of 25,0OO or possibly 75,O00 men. This question was put to an Aeronautical Officer at the Headquar- ters of the Northeastern Department: "Is the Signal Corps of the War De- partment depending upon New Eng land to give impetus to the securing Or supplying the greater part of it's aviators or observation balloon pi- lots?''
 The Official replied that New Eng land would certainly do it's part to- ward raising the great army of air. men. A personal appeal will go out through various channels to quarter million of graduates of New England Universities, Colleges, and High Schools covering a period of eleven years: i. e., those who graduated in the years 1909 to 1917 inclusive, and who are now scattered in all parts of the United States, urging them to ap- ply for an Officers commission in the Aviation Section of the Signal Off, cers' Reserve Corps, which will be that of First Lieutenant. The base pay of lieutenant is $2,OOO annually and applications will be considered from college and high school men or even others possessing exceptional qualifications. The commission will be issued as soon as the student grad uates as a balloon pilot or aviator. They will be instructed at the selected colleges and universities, and training camps in the United States. The in- StrncfiOnS fo vorable conditions and include mili- tary training. While. under instruc- tlon, a soldiers pay, rations, lodging, are allowed; also transportation to the assigned place of schooling. Gradua- tion follows in about five or six months. and those failing to graduate will find themselves in the aviation service as a first-class private, or non- commissioned officer, in which capa- city, they will be useful as ground men and in various other ways. To become an officer in the service, with out passing long term of instruction at West Point or Annapolis is a great 1nducement to young men to enter through the opportunity offered by the Signal Corps.
 The Official continued: The Ameri- can Army and Navy is one vast or ganization moving in the same direc- tion with only single purpose in view, riding on great train to a victorious goal. In the cab of the locomotive, ride the aviators; in the | Pullman cars, observation end, the 1 balloon pilots; and scattered through ! out the train, the remainder of this l great company of men. The roadbed | and rails over which they are riding is | pI destination thaV will J surely reach is democracy. All Aboard! ] Jump on, Boys, before you are called 1 under the draft, and have the honor of being volunteer officer in the U. S. Army Reserve Corps. Do your part to bring about a world-wise democ- racy.
 Air Service in War.
 Time has fully demonstrated the value of the air service in war, and experts say that many of the great decisive and effective battles of the future will be fought in the air.
 This appears to be confirmed by the great activity of the Signal corps and the passing unanimously by the house and senate and the signing by the president without delay of the bill ap- propriating six hundred and forty million dollars for aeronautics.
 25,OOO Men Required.
 It has been said that the United States would require, to do it's bit in the war, 25,000 masters of aeronau- tical apparatus,-that is, men capable of flying the airplane and hydroplane, and directing the movements of the "kite" or observation balloon, known as aviators or balloon pilots.
 Aviators and Balloon Pilots.
 The work of the aviator is we'll known and the marvellous results of these air-speeders; the work accom- plished by them as the eyes of the army is published from time to time in the dispatches from abroad. The fastest machines attain speed of, 140 miles per hour.
 The observers in them locate the position of enemy's armies and guns, and protect cities and towns from attack, although at times the enemy flyers get by the watchfulness of the allied air fleet with disastrous results to humanity and property.
 All aviators and balloon pilots be- come officers in the aviation section of the Signal Officers Reserve corps i of the Army immediately upon grad uating, being commissioned as first lfeutenants with a base salary of 2,000 annually and additional com- pensation when in active service at home and abroad.
 The usefulness of the kite" or sta- tionary balloon is not generally known. One familiar with it's em- ployment says that at the balloon schools, an applicant for officers commission must first qualify as pilot of sphehrical balloons. Then they are taught to become pilots and observers in the kite balloons.
 This balloon is allowed to ascend to height of about 5000 feet with a