El Nuevo mexicano., 1917-12-13

large number of experts needed in the
short time available, but, despite that,
still more men are needed.
Only men especially trained are &C.
cepted at the outset in order to keep the
standard as high as the necessities of the
Service require. Obviously, an unskilled
man would be more OF a hindrance than a
help In the highly specialized work to be
done, and might even bring about fatal re-
suits. Even a skilled mechanic himself
must have special training for airplane
work, many phases OF which will be for
eign to him at first. The ground force,
therefore, must undergo instruction for
the air service, just as the ~ayiators them
selves, though, naturally, the course is not
80 long nor SO exact. The main problem.
Is to adapt a skilled man especial abili-
ties to the specific problems Of air.
Upon acceptance into the service the
men are sent at once to a large concentra-
ton center, where they are sorted out ac-
cording to trades. Detachments Of the va
rious trades are then sent at once to
factories or flying fields for two or three
weeks intensive work. Many of the spe-
cialized industries, such particularly as
those Of propeller making, magnetos, ma
chine guns, and wings, have thrown open
their factories to the government for in.
struction Of these men as part OF their
contribution to the winning OF the war.
Naturally. the men are thus enabled
through practical demonstration, to fit
themselves very rapidly and effectively
for their new work.
Upon completion of these courses the men
are graduated and returned to a center
where overseas squadrons are being form
ed. There, in the right proportion they
are organized into complete units-so many
enginemen, SO many tailors or cobblers for
the wings, SO many cabinetmakers or wood
workers for the fuselafe, SO many carpen-
tiers or plumbers for the airdromes. AL
most Immediately, in all probability, the
squadron will move on to a port Of en-
barkation for transport overseas on the
first available steamer.
These American mechanics will have a
big part to play in the eventual allied air
drive. They will be continually busy in
the great air dromes, doing the most deli
cate kind of work, mostly out of doors,
often with rough-and-ready tools, requir-
Ing much ingenuity, frequently in great
haste. With machines constantly coming
and going to and from the air front, there
Will never be a time Of dullness or lack
LOT interest.
Every machine must be carefully tested
and examined before it ventures out on its
important work. Mechanicians must go
over the engine; armorers the machine
guns, instrument specialists the magnetos,
altimeters, sight Instruments, air-speed in
dicators, etc. Fatal cases are on record
where air battles have been lost through
neglect before the planes have left the
air dromes.
1t is on the return, however that the
principal activity is necessary. Many
planes come in badly wrecked or injured,
in so serious a condition, indeed, that they
would be no longer serviceable without ex-
pert repair1len on hand. Oftentimes the
wings are so perforated with machine-gun
or anti-aircraft bullets that the most ex-
pert sail makers, cobblers, and tailors are
necessary. Or possibly the delicate wood
work OF the fuselage is so damaged that
only an expert cabinet or boat maker can
restore it to usefulness.
1t has often been estimated that the
average life of a plane is but four months.
That means that the whole fighting equip
ment must be renewed three times a year.
The expense is naturally very great. 1t is
hoped, however, in the American service
to make a far better record than this.
The fulfillment Of that hope rests upon
the skilled men in the air drome behind
the front. If their standard is high, no
plane will be lost in battle through avoid
able mechanical flaw; no engine will be
allowed to rack itself unnecessarily; no
wing or f~uselage subjected to overstrain.
If this work is well done, the mechanical
part of the air service will be kept in per-
feet shape, tuned, taut, oiled, and creased
for all the great strain which will come
upon it.
Each air drome, besides, will be largely
self-sustoining. 1t will have its own clerks,
stenographers, chauffeurs, etc, to do the
office work and keep all the supplies up to
the needs; its own telephone operators and
linemen, plumbers, carpenters and bricklay-
ers. The air service will be inspired with
an esprit de corps and an individuality
which will make every man in it, from the
aviator all the way through, feel a really
personal pride and reward in its achieve
ments.
This is the last week in which men of the
draft age may volunteer as enlisted men in
the air service. After noon on Saturday,
December Is, no man between 10 and 81
may enter any branch of the army until
actually summoned by the government. Men
of that classification who wish to enter
the service should apply in person to the
nearest recruiting office before Saturday,
giving their trade, a letter from their en-
ployer, and their preference for service in
the aviation section. Men over the draft age