Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-22

III So4AH H.
here today to decide upon the Quickest pos
sibie way to turn out this large air fleet in
| case OF war. ~
The manufacturers sisninei their willing
| ness TO cooperate with the Government In
the present emergency. and a committee
consisting OF three manufacturers and four
members Of the advisory committee was
named to draft plans for the most modern
types of aeroplanes.
The work will be distributed among the
manufacturers Of the country in a manner
which the committee will determine most
| advantageous.
AIR PREPAREDNESS
The proposition calls for the construc-
ton of 5000 powerful air fighters. which
will mean an addition of 1000 aviators TO
the present air force OF the country. For
every aviator there Is kept In reserve three
aeroplanes, while the board figures than
one airship will be- destroyed in training
an aviator
This big fleet will be used to guard the
coasts against attacks from enemy flyers.
and may also in the event Of hostilities par
ticpate In active warfare, according to
member Of the board.
During the eight years prior to 1915 the
army ordered fifty-nine aeroplanes and re-
ceved fifty-four. while in 1916 the Govern
ment ordered 366 and only sixty-four were
delivered
This, according to Dr. Charles D. walcott,
chairman OF the executive committee of the
advisory committee, falls far below the
aerial preparedness. needs of the country
Joint control OF aviation has been ar
ranged between the army and navy. and
training of avators will be undertaken
chiefly along the coasts, so as TO furnish
both land and water work.
MUNITIONS STANDARDS
Another subject Of grave Importance now
coming to the fore is Standardization OF
munitions. The army finds that at present
there is no uniformity In guns or ammu-
milton supplied by the many American mu-
milton firms.
Up TO date there had been no actual call
for mobilization of naval militia or of the
Atlantic fleet. but there were increasing
signs that such must soon be accomplished.
Moreover. apparently the Government is
now proceeding with plans for cooperation
between its navy and the Allied fleets.
Admittedly there must be some sort OF
working agreement so that there VIII be
no interferences between the two groups
though the American navy Will probably
pay its chief attention to service against
Germany in areas not far beyond the United
states coast.
Navy Department officials believe Ger
many will send a swarm of her big C-ooats
TO these shores TO terroriZe shipping ana
perhaps attempt seaport and coastal ralos
similar to those made against British sea-
ports and coast towns.
CALL TO GUARDS
The first natural step in land-defense
plans, according TO military experts, would
no a call for the National Guard. The sec
ond step would be call for all men VINO
have received training at the various Fed-
eral "Plattsburgs -
Advancement of graduations from West
Point similar to the advancement OF lhe
Annapolis naval cadet advancements. ana
n caII for Immediate taking of eXamina-
tiops by the hundreds throughout the coun-
trv who have applied for commissions as
reserve officers, were other steps.
THESE steps taken--it would necessitate
a period of several months at leastLtne
United states experts say. would nave
immediately available a land force or from
900 to $50 900 men, including the pres
ent regular force
E,ouipment-clothing supplies. arms, am
munition, excepting, of course. the larger
field pieces-eXperts believe. would pe reauN
az soon as this force of men.
Several thousands of the commissioned
and noncommissoned officers would OF
course be held at various posts throushou'
the country as training corps Tor the Vol
unteers and recruits who enlisted as guards
men or regulars.
DEFENSE ACTIONS
vast resources OF raw materials used in the
production of munitions and other war sup
plies is contemplated by the National 'ouh-
eli OF Defense Tentative plans for putting
such supervision into operatioan almost I'M
mediately already have been completed
The council is hopeful that the big pro-
ducers of raw material will agree to such
plan voluntarily.
But in case they do not the council is pre-
pared to go before the extra session or
Congress and ask for such "A power.
Already the copper producers have offered
to sell the. Government copper at hgure
almost half the present price In the event
of war.
Similar cooperation is expected from the
steel men and other big producers who will
be called upon to furnish the army and
navy with supplies in case of an outbreak
Of hostilities:
Abnormal financial profit on the manu-
facture of munitions and necessary supplies
will be made impossible by war measures
already planned to be put into effect by
the councih
The council will determine what is rea-
sonable profit, fixing rate between twelve
and fifteen per cent.