Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-07
MEASURE FOR GIGANTIC
AIR FLEET BEFORE HOUSE
Sweeping Powers Conferred Upon
President to Perfect Tre-
mendous Program.
TO WORK FOR SPEEDY ACTION
1t Is Planned to Build Within Year
22,025 Airplanes and Even Greater
Number Of Engines - Estimated
That $4,000 Men Will BE Needed.

|
OF gigantic American air fleet and
sonnet is authorized in a bill intro
! duced in the House to-day by Chair
man Dent. of the Military Affairs Com
mlttee. Sweeping powers are conferred
upon President Wilson to perfect the
aircraft program which contemplates
| the spending OF nearly three-quarters OF
| billion dollars to make American air.
| planes powerful factor In defeating
Germany.
The bill is a composite measure. COM
bining all the main features OF two sep
| arate bills drafted by the War Depart
ment. providing for funds and per-
sonnet.
i The way will be cleared for speedy
action in the House. Tho Military AZ
fairs Committee will begin hearings
on the bill on Monday. Chairman Dent
said tonight every effort would be
made to conclude the hearings next
week to insure early consideration in
the House. He felt confident report
to the House could be made by Friday.
| President Wilson is given the broad
est powers Under the personnel fea-
. lures OF the bill, and Is authorized to
! resort TO the draft IL necessary in rails
ing force of men for the new service.
The War Departments most conserva
tive estimate is that $4,000 men will
be needed 10 carry. out the scheme pro-
tected with the Presidents approval
1t Is planned to build within a year
22.625 airplanes, and an even greater
number of engines.
AMOUNT OF APPROPRIATION
! NOT SPECIFIED IN BILL
| The bill does not Indicate the number
of officers and men required, Neither
does 1t specify the amount Of appro-
| priation. Chairman Dent explained he
preferred not to embody the appropri-
alton into the BILL to avoid any possible
conflict with the House Appropriations
Committee. This committee has begun
consideration OF measure to finance
the new service. Upon this phase of
the question: Chairman Dent and Rep
resentative Fitzgerald will confer to-
morrow.
Al tho very outset of the hearings.
opposition Is expected to develop to the
draft feature. Some OF the leading avi-
alton experts of the country are known
TO take issue with the War and Navy
Departments as to the wisdom Of try
ing to jam the prov lsion through.
The personnel provisions OF the meas
ure confer upon the President abso-
lutte powens to organize the avia ton
service lin view of tho existing emer-
Gency which demands the raising Of
troops In addition to those now avail
able" The President Is authorized to
appropriately officer and organize the
personnel of the signal officers corps
in such numbers of divisions brigades,
regiments, wings, squadrons, battalions
and companies as may be necessary
and as efficiency of the service may
require TO prescribe new and different
orga nizations and personnel.
Authority is given not only for air
planes, engines and men. but for avia-
ton stations. barracks, ammunition
and equipment and for many other pur-
poses.
For the purpose of increasing the
present authorized enlisted and com
missioned strength Of the signal CORPS
including the aviation section. the
President is empowered to promote
appoint, detail or attach officers OF the
regular army, national army. National
Guard or officers reserve corps. or to
appoint enlisted men of the regular
army. enlisted reserve corps or per-
sons from civil life. who may be found
physically, mentally and morally quail
fed for such service.
PRESIDENT MAY USE
HIS OWN JUDGMENT
The President may use his own
| judgment in organizing the new forces
Officers In the aviation section will be
classified Junior military aviators
military aviators, junior military aero
nauss and military asronauts. To at
tain the rank of military aviator. an
appointee must first have served three
years in the lower ranges. except Off
GERS who have records Of distinguished
| active service to their credit.
General authority is given the Presi-
| dent for the purchase, manufacture
| and operation of airships and aerial
machines including all necessary ap-
planes. ornaments, ammunition and
other equipment. and provides for the
institution OF vocational training in
aviation ito increase military, efficiency