The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-03-22
IMPORTANT DECISIONS
BEING MADE BY BAKER
war secretary Orders Recognition
OF Priority in American Avia-
ton Service.


cial Train, March 21.-Newton ID
Baker, the American secretary of
war, is making important decisions
in France upon such questions as in
his judgment require immediate ac-
tion. He is gathering knowledge
Tor future use uponJmany aspects of
the situation of the American army.
but problems pressing for settle
ment he solves on the spot.
Thus today in the headquarters OF
one Of the American aviation CEN
ters, Secretary Baker inquired if all
OF the host OF aviators sent first from
America were first to complete their
training in France and IL all Of them
had been commissioned. The chief
OF the aviation told the secretary
that all of them had not yet, because
OF reasons which he explained, had
chance to take their final training.
The secretary went into the sub
ject. He directed at the conclusion
OF the inquiry, with General Perish
ing's approval, that aviators so de-
layed, should have their commits
sions, when they were ready for
them. dated ahead Of those awarded
in America to those who entered the
service later. because the men had a
right TO their priority.
| When the secretary's train came
into the aviation region, the sky was
darkly overcast and the clouds were
of blue gray color, which the avia-
tion observers say constitutes the
fixed background for seeing air work.
many monoplanes and biplanes
awaited the secrctary's arrival uDon
the held; then with rush one after
another took the air, until toward
| the end of the morning, hundred ma
chimes were in flight and every ma
chine was driven by an American.
individual aviators maneuvers used
In combat such as reversing the di-
rection of the fight by turning edge
wise upon one wing. or spinning in
nose dives. Then there were evolu-
tons in fiotilla formation of fves
With all these machines in the
air, remarked a French officer, eve
see no more than a tenth of what
America had in this one section. You
will soon have no more need for
French instruction. We have shown
everything we knew. and your young
men have taken to the art with as
tonishing facility, as well as au-
dacity, nerve and resources The
danger and difficulties fascinate and
inspire them. think it must be
what you call the sporting spirit"
Yes" said one of Mr. Bakers
party, $50 many of these men are
direct from colleges and universities
They are football and baseball plav-
Secretary Baker discussed with
various of the aviators themselves
the difference between the ma.
chimes. He brought to the subject
much knowledge of detail and unva.
ried interests. He spent hours talk.
ing with the men and examining
with them the types of machines
some of which he saw for the first
time
The closing incident of the morn
ing's air training was a combat and
the escape OF one plane when at
tackled. The secretary watched with
intense interest. He then visited
the machine shops and setting-up
shops and the storage buildings. He
had explained to him the school of
organization which include eight
classes, each with a separate camp.
Sharp shooting rivalries exist among
them.
The party left with the conviction
| that Americas aviation effort is al
"eady a powerful one; that il com,
| hines the best to be found in the
French and British service in addi-
ton to developments and that an or
60 N:7at'on has hee7 created capable
OF schooling finely tempered air bat
talions
The aviation school in question
has reached 81 per cent of its ex-
pected efficiency Graduating cas-
ses are turned out with steady reg.
ularity because of the speed with
which the students reach the level
OF competent airmen. But this de-
pends, Of course. upon the amolnt
OF flying, which has been uncom
i mOnIy abundant thie epri,a