Perth Amboy evening news., 1917-02-15
NAVAL RESERVES
BUSY At KEYP0RT
indications from Keyport Sta
ton That Aviation Section of
Reserves Will Become I'M
portant Division of Service.
Special to tbs EVENING NEWS.

Spectuf 70 tH6 ERHNiN0 NE HS.
Keyport, Feb. 15:-In preparing
for whatever action may be required
of them in the line of duty in the
future much activity, is being taken
in the whipping of the members OF
the naval reserves here into shape.
From present prospects the avia-
ton section of the reserves will be-
come q most important division of
the service. The barracks of the
aviation corp of the state militia is
located here Through the courtesy
of the officials of the Aero Marine
Plane & Motor Company the two
story brick structure on their pro-
perty along the waterfront in East
Keyport was offered as a barracks
and at the same time the use of the
large area of land which they own
was placed at the disposal of the
section. In March of last year tho
local quarters and since that time
considerable work has been put in by
the officers and members. Comfort
able quarters were constructed. Oil
GERS compartments were petitioned
off and from the spring until late in
the fall there were a number of the
aviator militiamen always on the
job. The members erected a sub
stantial hangar of sufficient size to
accommodate several aeroplanes.
Another achievement was the con-
struction OF dock.
While q great deal of time and
much labor was given by the men,
bers of the section on the construc-
ton of the aeroplane and the mech
anism of the powerful engines, but
little actual flying WAS indulged in.
During the season two flying ma
chimes came to grief at the grounds
but fortunately in both mishaps the
aviator escaped serious injury. The
first machine demolished was large
army tractor of the Aero-Marine
Plane & Motor Company design and
had been presented to the section by
an official of the concern. The sec
ond plane to be smashed was the
Curtis aeroplane into which had been
installed one of the company's mo-
tors. Aviator Walter Lee, of the re-
serves, had made a successful fight
and met his accident in landing.
Much interest was taken in the
work of the enlisted men. Their
work was made difficult through the
limited amount of support from the
state. A contribution from the Aero
Club of America and from private
individuals was responsible for the
start given to the aviation cause.
Captain Ernest Janney was in charge
of the establishing of the local
SCuOOl, put Ills COilutCClOn WAS sew
cred with the command after q short
time and the cause was given as
lack of funds. Captain Janney was a
Canadian aviator and had seen serv-
ice with the Allies.
Lieutenant J. Homer Slower was
in command of the aviation camp
until the close. He was enthusiastic
in the work and much credit is due
him for the work accomplished at
the school. With the ending Of the
summer campaign a number of the
members of the section scattered to
faridps aviation training stations to
contin.ig mefil work; Two local
young men, Edward Denton md
Ezrum Walling, enlisted in the sec
ton during the summer. Since the
war cloud has appeared over the
have been called to the colors. They
have not been assigned to any par
ticular duty as yet but are awaiting
the call for action. A number Of the
members Of the aviation section are
now preparing to leave for the Pen
sacola aviation training station. Mr..
Denton will be examined to qualify
for this assignment while Mr.. Wal
ling, who Is employed at the plant Of
the Remington Arms In Bridgeport,
Conn.,, will line up with his comrades
for work In the aviation field II their
services for the country are needed.
Work is being rushed on the COM
pletion of the immense factory of the
Aero-Marine Plano & Motor Com
pany on their large site of land along
the waterfront. The building is 500
feet long and 150 feet wide and is OF
fteel and concrete. A taste of the
= oming industry to the borough was
inven last fall when daily flights
'Tere made about the harbor in try
ing out the style hydroplane which
the company will manufacture and
equip with the Aero-Marine motor. A
big boom to the borough and vicinity
is seen in the establishing of big
factory for the making and equip
ping OF these much needed and now
important factors In the war game.