New-York tribune., 1919-05-28
SIS, 900, 900 A Asked
For Ne,v AHplanes
Daniels Says Money Viii
Be Expended to Deuel.
ope Sea Flying Types
Nstr Y ork Tribune
FQShtu0fon Burenff

Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON. May 27--The tri-
,,nh Of Lieutenant Commander A. C.
pssd. in navigating his ship, the NC-4.
s,ecessfully to Lisbon, completing the
srst transatlantic flight in history,
flsd Washington with enthusiasm to-
night.
Cablegrams of congratulation were
aspatched to Commander Read by high
officials Of the navy as soon as the
report OF the successful completion OF
he third leg of the flight reached
Washington in news dispatches.
Action by the House of Representa-
ives on q resolution by Representative
Britten, Of Illinois, awarding the Con-
gressional Medal of Honor to Com
mander Read and his crew is expected
tomorrow.
Josephus Daniels. Secretary of the
Navy to-day asked the House Naval
Affairs Committee for an appropriation
Of 5000. 600 to be used chiefly in ex-
periments in the building of ships for
.ransoceanIc flight. The success of
Commander Read insures speedy ap-
plogal of the Secretarys request.
Daniels Urges Sea Campaign
q think this is the biggest question
now before the navy" Secretary Daniels
said I'VE initiated flying machines in
this country but SO far have done little
10 develop them. Avation has just
touched the imagination of the world
and we are on the Threshold Of it's
greatest development. We ought to try
chiefly to develop machines Tor ocean
fights. The navy has done wonder
iul thing in charting the seas.
"0f this appropriation. if made. we
Intend to spend very little on station
obstruction The entire amount. SO
tr as possible. will be used in expert
rerts During the war the navy used
planes for coast and scouting service.
When there was a shortage OF shipping
in 1917 the discussion arose as u the
aivisability of carrying supplies across
the ocean by air.
This year if You travel 20 Europe
you will go by steamship. Next year
you probably will go by air We wish
more planes for our ships, for use in
feet maneuvres. They arc absolutely
necessary to effective mannuvres."
The House waxed enthusiastic this
afternoon when Representative Hicks.
Republican, OF New York, announced
on the floor that the NC-4 had passed
station 6 a. l0:1S this morning He
previously had made the same an
rOuncement III the Naval Affairs Com
nittee and the report had received the
applause OF Secretary Daniels
The committee unanimously approved
the decision OF Secretary Daniels to
permit Commander Read to complete
the last stage Of the transocean flight,
uaacccmpanied by Commander Towers,
vho organized the flight
The question was q very delicate
ans,' Secretary Daniels said, land |
am clad TO have my decision approved.
Rear Admiral Knapp had recommended
tina. Commander Towers continue on
the NC4 | wish to say here that
Commander Towers service cannot be
too highly commended. Had he been
the commander OF q fighting ship, and
his ship put out of commission, he
would have gone on in another ship.
Ihat was the view that Admiral Knapp
took at the time he made his recon-
mendation, and il was in full accord
with naval precedents.
But the situation was different be-
cause this was an air fleet, instead of
an ocean fleet. Towers was in COM
mand OF ship himself. but he was
rot commander in chief He was cap
sain OF the NC-3. when it got into the
ies. He saved his men, but he could
not get through.
We considered these things when
Admire Knapp's recommendation
came Since Read got there first, some
eae rad TO % OF. II Commander
lowers mad gone he would have dis
Paced some man on the NC-4 who
seald have been left behind. | held
nat lowers was not IN command of d
asee as an admiral would be. and I de-
edfd that Commander Read should 90
VI without Commander Towers"
Inc committee is unanimous in
sommending your decision" said Rep
'ssehtative Oliver, Of Alabama
commander Read had done tre-
aendousiy fine piece OF work" CON
ahasd Secretary Daniels, "and it was
'teS asid MS opportunity winch +
Ado gotten him there He is no more
s0u'ageous than Commander Towers
sa' had the feeling that he should
ave the iignt 70 be the first in com
~sAa. and take the NC over. Towers
soeld have been the second in com
-%ae' ard therefore Read was entitled
70. Commander Towers never com
1uh'cated with me. of course, the
..ss0naendation for h,m to 30 coming
ron Rear Admiral Knapp"
representative P. ]. Kelley asked
sao waa responsible for the ocean
iae suggestion had been made by
;Ia.'y' Secretary Daniels replied. "The +
wa "as worked up in the Bureau Of +
..s''~'ion' -. and am unable to say at
s''' time who vas the first to sugges.
). = rernaps twenty men thought of it
-ssn' the same time early in 1917, f
sasn there WAS & question of shortage
Shipping. No one man conceived it
soaid say" |