The Washington times., 1917-06-17

enemies. and irrigation and reclama-
tion fought for years against the bar.
riers OF hostility.
So 5000, 100000 for aviation may not
seem too startling after all when
legislators come to consider that the
world moves and Congress must move
with 1t in this fight for democracy.
Some conception OF practical aero
nautics and the cost OF an aerial
arm OF the service is furnished by
a recent statement of Col. George o.
Squier, a member OF the National
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics,
United States army, published by the
House Appropriations Committee.
Replying to questions by Congress
man Sherley. Colonel Squier said:
Twelve In Squadron.
Twelve active airplanes in the air,
with the accessories necessary, con-
stitute a squadron. 1t is a very
highly organized service and very
considerable equipment is required.
A squadron Of twelve units. with
all its accessories for the mobile
army, costs something like 100000
at the present time and to maintain
imateiy 5000, 900. This maintenance
cost is SO near the original cost that
you can get an idea how expensive
the service is. The reason is that
Airplanes wear out very quickly
They last about three months in
actual service.
when we put in a new squadron.
wholly new. we buy at the rate OF
three machines fo- each man. making
thirty-six machines to the squadron.
So We really have three machines
for each man, because when a man
is flying. something may happen to
his machine, and then there is a re-
serve Of two machines. An engine
is supposed to last about 300 hours,
and IT has to be- overhauled every
thirty or forty hours complete before
II can be used again. We also have
to provide three or four extra en-
Eines besides. The planes last longer
than the engines"
Colonel Squier further explained
that the army in its recent purchase
of coast defense machines had paid
from $4,000 to S22.5OO each.
$4,000 For Maintenance.
About what does it cost the Gov
ernment to maintain a machine in
the air 70 rA year," Mr.. Sherley
asked.
about $4,000. That is exclusive
Of the cost OF furnishing the exces-
sories in the first place. 1t is the
maintenance cost for our coast de-
fense machines"
Exclusive Of the proposed 5000 .0oO,-
900 appropriation, the army and navy
are not without fairly large sums
already authorized for aeronautics.
--,E.lEzr ~
Congress made available more than
$T0.OOO,0OO for aviation.
The navy received 81 900. 900 in the
urgent deficiency war budget just ap-
proved, and the army S43,OOO.OOO. In
the regular naval bill there was car
ried an allowance OF S5.l33OOO In
the sundry civil bill S25O.OOO was ap-
propriated for the navy aerOnautics
to be used at the Panama Canal. and
$500, 900 for the army. The fortifca-
lions bill carried S4. 500. 900.
Fer Defensive Purposes.
These items. however, were regard
ed largely as being for defensive pur-
poses and the acquisition OF aviation
sites and the conduct OF aviation
schools. The enormous appropriation
soon to be asked-probably by the
VI NAE dH
essentially a war estimate. Ameri.
can airmen by the thousands are
needed in Europe, and the United
States may be OF aid also in furnish
ing its allies with machines and with
training stations in this country.
Much of the appropriation is for the
emergency, and millions are required.
Other millions will go toward a con
tinuing program" of building and
construction that soon will make the
United States prepared in the air as
she Is to be prepared on land. on the
surface Of the sea, and under the
sea.
Less than two years ago the sug-
Eestion OF 5000 100000 for aeronau-
tics would nave been laughed out OF
Congress. Today II stAEgers the i'm
agination sOmewhat-consideri the
fact that aviation is a new science
but everything the Administration
needs will be given.