The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-14

early today over the North sea
by British aIrmen, Chancellor of
the Exehequer Bonar Law an
nouneed In the House Of Com
mons.
The great war cannot possibly be
won without air supremacy, accord
ing to Howard E. Coffin, who spoke
before q subcommittee OF the Senate
Military Affairs Committee today.
Speaking for the aircraft production
board of the Council OF National De-
Tense, Mr. Coffin declared the greatest
inspiration to American genius is 10
gain supremacy in her two inven-
tions-the aeroplane and the sub
marine.
Emphasizing the need OF speed in
aircraft construction, Mr.. Coffin read
into the Records of the hearings the
complete story OF the latest German
raid, cabled to this country by Ed
Keen and published in The Times to-
! day.
THE greatest service the United
States Government can do" Mr.. Cot
I'm said, "is to turn our wonderful re
sources to giving our allies supremacy
OF the air.
I'VE have already started work on
the project. Training fields are I'M
der construction. and others have been
| authorized. A definite program for
the construction of hundreds and
| thousands OF machines IL already well
under way.
| This article which 1 have read In
q striking lesson at this time"
Urges Aero Department.
Mr.. Coffin said that this country IL
a great reservoir" both for men who
will make good flyers and for re-
sources going into the manufacture
OF machines.
I'VE can make an unlimited num-
Der OF machines on q definite pro-
gram" he said. I'VE can't produce
machines within a short time, OF
course-we can't shake them off Of
trees-but January 1 should find us
working on a great plan We must
begin by thorough Industrial organi-
zation. We must strengthen and
build on our present foundation and at
the same time start new foundations
for more aircraft industries"
The problem confronting the Gov
eminent now" Mr.. Coffin said, sis
material, time and organization"
Then, speaking directly on the ques-
ton Of the creation OF a Department
Of Aeronautics in the Government he
said:
'In q case such as faces US now.
you probably would look around and
get the best business management you
could find to carry on the work OF
this industry.
Ts Nevss -
OF the quantity and quality demanded.
Our part in the struggle so far as
air service is concerned is personnel
and equipment"
Essential To Success.
Mr.. Coffin then spoke of the bat
ties of recent weeks which have serv.
ed to rapidly develop the impor,
lance OF aircraft activity"
at is becoming evident" he said,
"that whatever factor aircraft may
play in the ultimate decision. neither
side can possibly win without air
supremacy"
The Germans and our allies are
now practically balanced in air ser
vice" he said, "the Germans possibly
have q eighty superior machine,
: but our allies having unquestionably
the personnel OF pilots. As a result
practically all fighting is now be
hind the German lines, he said, and
: as a result losses have been many.
Speaking of the recent fighting on
; the Messines ridge. Mr.. Coffin painted
, the following picture of aircraft
? work: High over the battle lines
: hundreds OF aircraft scared, ranging
along in three strata The light ma.
, chines-one-sea at q
height of $4,000 to 2I.OOO feet. pro,
tectIng the communications machines
: which were just below them. These
, communications machines, equipped
! with wireless, directed every move OF
J the troops in the field, told them just
when to stop, when to advance. where
the German machine guns were
where the heavy artillery was. Then
ing machines OF the allies. using eN.
plosives and equipped with machine
guns, carrying a devastating FIRE.
The results OF these battles have
cIinched the contention that air
craft must ultimately be the great
deciding factors OF the war.
"A new navy must be created
navy OF the air. We must accom-.
plish this just as Germany has per.
fected the underwater navy. II we
do our best Germany cannot possibly
equal us in production"
, Mr.. Cofin declared that co-ordina
; tion OF the aero work must come now
and that the $4,000, 900 appropria
tion now before Congress for aero
) planes IL mot nearly enough"