New-York tribune., 1918-06-27
u. S. Can Push Production
With Confidence, Says
Sir William Weir
Tests Made i'm France
Demands for Aircraft in War
Growing More Rapidly
Than the Supply

LONDON, June 26.-"Tests which re-
Gently have been applied in France and
this country to the latest American
engine have justified the prediction that
tribution to Allied resources, and the
United States can 60 ahead and push
its production with every confidence"
Those are the words of Sir William
Weir, new Secretary to the Air Min
istry, who presided at the Wilbur
Wright lecture delivered by Dr. Durand,
scientific attache Of the American En-
bassy. in the Central Hall at West
minister Tuesday evening. In thanking
Mr.. Durand for his lecture Sir William
said the lecturers suggestion would be
studied by all technical members Of the
government and by all engaged in the
application of aeronautical science to
manufacture.
Sir William then paid tribute to the
skill, ingenuity and technical capacity
of the aircraft designers of Great
Britain. The .new policy Of intrusting
pure design to the industry itself has
been very successful.
Great Progress Made
Great as was the advance In aero
nautics in the first two years Of the
war; he said, the last year had marked
even greater progress. The rate Of ad-
vance was being accelerated.
Sir William thought he could de-
fine the Allied technical position in re-
lation to the enemy by saying the
Allied technical superiority at the
present time was equal to the superb
ority in the human qualities of skill,
enterprise and endurance displayed by
Allied pilots.
"The progress and development Of
the air department were so rapid" said
Sir William, chat we were never con-
tent with our existing situation or
unduly confident of our future efforts,
but to-day we have solid foundation
of full and wholehearted cooperation
rest assured Of the future. In this
bitter. struggle the United States has
stimulated our hearts and fed us from
the day she declared war.
I'm the assistance given US in aerial
warfare" he continued, "the United
States has already rendered US a very
great aid in the way of personnel. Re-
ports of the work of American pilots
have already appeared in the press.
Their officers and men have won golden
opinions from all with whom they have
come in contact. 1t is the universal
opinion that they are unsurpassed in
Willingness to learn and their desire to
cooperate in everything. So far as per-,
sonnel is concerned, we entertain the
fullest confidence in the future sue
cess of the American air force.
Assured of Material
with regard to material, we may
fdence. Tests which have been re-
Gently applied in France and in this
country to the latest American engine
Justify us in predicting that it will
prove q most valuable contribution to
the Allied resources. The United
States can go ahead and push the pro-
duction of this motor with every con-
tidence. The results of the experiments
so far obtained have placed the engine
in the very first line Of aeromotors. It
rs we'll understood that some criticism
will be directed against the slowness
Of production of these motors during
the last three or four months, but I
would like to point out that con-
siderable interval will, and always
must, elapse between the experimental
and commercial production of any new
motor.
every engine, even the best designed
and IN country with the greatest re-
sources and facilities, cannot escape 8
period of what may be called 'teething
! troubles before the motors can be pro-
duced on anything like large scale.
The Liberty engine is, accordingly, an
example of what the Allies might ex-
pect in the matter Of aircraft produc-
tion from the scientists and designers
of America whom Mr.. Durand repre-
sents.
"The various methods of utilizing
aircraft in warfare are growing RAPIDLY.
50 rapidly that it is perfectly clear
that, even with all the help America
can. give, the fullest demands which
could be made to fulfil all the different
functions of aircraft will never be met
during the war. We will always re-
than can be possibly supplied today. y