Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-12-31


"TASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 27.-Now
wv that the war is over, shall the right
w to navigate the air in this country be
thrown open to all persons on equal terms,
or shall the government retain the control
over manufacture and flying of airplanes and
balloons which it now has?
This is question which congress will I'M
doubtedly be called upon to answer, and the
importance of which seems scarcely to be
realized by the public.
There are several angles to the problem
presented by the future of flying. One OF
them is the military angle. The freedom OF
the seas and the ownership of the earth are
up for discussion, but that freedom of the
air is also an important factor in the future
of the world does not seem so generally real
lied Aircraft have been considered hereto
fore chiefly as accessories to armies and
navies But aircraft are no longer merely
scouts and couriers; they are powerful agents
of destruction. 1t seems certain that their
use will be matter for regulation by the
proposed league of nations, as wei as the
use of armies and navies.
The other angle is the industrial angle.
There will undoubtedly be keen competition
between the nations in the development OF
airplanes for peacetime purposes. How can
this development best be stimulated and pro-
tected in the United States?
Although these questions have not had
much publicity, it is known that they are
being carefully considered by the general
staff, by airplane authorities of the army,
navy and marine corps, and by some far
sighted congressman and senator's
All plans are necessarily vague as yet. At
present the army the navy and the marine
corps has each its own air service. That
these should be combined into one organ1za-
tion, possibly under the direction OF new
portfolio in the cabinet, has often been sug-
gested, and the advantages of such an ar
rangement seem to be generally agreed upon.
But how large this air service should be, and
what the scope of its activities and duties
should be in time of peace, are matters upon
which a great variety of opinion can be heard
Probably action taken at the peace table Win
regard to the use of air forces will have
great influence. But regardless of this, there
seem to be two distinct schools of thought
as to the pat that the government should
play in the development of aeronautlcs. The
most conservative of these holds that the gov
eminent should exploit the airplane solely as
an adjunct to whatever military and naval
establishment il may maintain in the future
On the other hand the most radically con-
structive idea put forward is that the whole
development of flying should be under gov
eminent contro. and direction, including the
mapping of the air, the scientific study of the
and the establishment OF routes
and landing fields.
In point of size, a personnel for the air
service of only 5000 has been recommended
by the high authorities, while force of AS
900 is about the largest that has been au-
thoritatively suggested. In a modern air
service there are about twenty to twenty
five men to each plane.
OF course, the moot md most delicate
question of government control or ownership
versus free private. initiative, which is also
involved in the problem of the railroads and
the telephone and telegraph lines, enters also
e.
ture of the air. For several reasons, however.
it does not enter to the same extent. For
reasons, the government must neces-
sarily have a considerable degree of control
over flying, and for considerable period at
least the practical uses of airplanes will be
chiefly for this, and for other proposes which
are recognized functions of government.
Leaving out this question of principle, the