New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-22
Work Being Rushed on
Aviation Schools, Says
Coffin
Wilson Approves
$6OO,OOO,OO0 Scheme
A. R. Hawley Asserts That
America Will Need a
Billion for Aircraft

Washington, June 2l.-The United
States plans to produce $500 aero
planes this year in the factories Of
this country. according to a statement
made to-day by Howard Z. Coffin. chair
man Of the Aircraft Production Board.
The air programme further contem-
plates, it was stated, the establishment
OF training schools and fields with SUI
fcient capacity to man all these ma
chimes and to insure a constant stream
Of aviators and mechanics 20 the Amer
lean lighting forces in Europe. Nego-
tiations on contracts for aeroplanes
are under way and some orders have
already been placed. Chairman Colin
stated.
There are two outstanding factors
in modern warfare which the struggle
in Europe has brought out" said Mr..
Coffin to-day zone is the submarine,
the other the aeroplane. We now be
lieve Amfrica has started on the right
road toward working out her destiny IN
The air and taking the place 10 which
her capacity entities her and which the
world expects Of her.
Boards TO Cooperate
The Aircraft Production Board will
act in the closest cooperation with the
War and Navy departments, especially
with the joint army and navy board on
design and specifications.
The general function OF the ProdIc-
ton Board. II is explained. will be 70
bring manufacturers together, help
make their resources available 10 the
government. and assist in stimulating
the production Of better types and
greater quantities of air machines. The
board will investigate and recommend
manufacturing plants where orders are
TO be placed, and IN arranging with
American factories advise regarding
priority Of deliveries of material. Fol-
lowing the selection Of sites for aviation
schools and supply depots by the Mill
tary Department, the board will advise
in regard 70 buying or leasing the
land. preparing it for use and erect
ing all buildings.
"Only a few American manufacturers
are in a position TO handle large con-
tracts" said Mr. Coffin, but European
orders for training machines within
the last two years have helped IN some
measure 10 overcome tremendous
disadvantage existing at the beginning
OF the war. In building battle-planes
the engine is the chief problem.
American manufacturers are now
conducting successful experiments with
both new and foreign types, and we
are confident that we shall be able 20
develop within the year the manufact-
ure Of motors OF sufficient power and
endurance for use at the front. Up 10
this time, with few exceptions, the only
machines which America has turned
out for use abroad have been training
types.
All Machines Aid Allies
"All the machines we manufacture
here. however, will be Of value 70 the
Allies. since the more training ma
chimes we turn out here the more fact
cries in England and France are re-
leased for the manufacture OF hghtlnS
machines.
at is highly probable that our first
shipments abroad will consist largely
OF aircraft engines. since they are com
pact. and shipping whole planes might
require more shipping space than the
Allies would wish 20 give up 10 tnaI
purpose. 81
Arrangements have been made with
British and Canadian officers 70 stand
ardize the training machines IN use 10
Great Britain, Canada and the United
States. so that machines can be DIS
tributed impartially and without dim
Guilty among the three nations.
THE country has made progress III
developing aviators Last month
group Of army officers visited me