The Washington herald., 1919-06-16

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE
fection of airpIanes and construction
of numerous planes of all types and
sizes, and TO depend on good fortune
to protect us from a hostile air in
vasion, it was said yesterday after
noon.
Mr.. Daniels letter to Senator Page
recounts the tremendous development
OF aeronautics down to the feat OF
the NC-4 and adds:
Expect BIimp Visit.
I'VE are now expecting a visit
from the British Rigid R-S4 which
is to make the attempt to fly di-
rcctIy from England to the United
States. The performance of this
British Rigid to date indicates the
practicability of a voyage. and even
should the present attempt fail
by some mischance, there is every
prospect that the voyage will soon
be successfully accomplished.
Il feel sure that you will agree
with me that the United States.
where was built and operated the
first successful flying machine.
made supreme effort during
the past two years and is now.
broadly speaking. abreast the rest
OF the world in aeronautical de-
Velopment, and ahead in some re-
spects as instanced by the success
full voyage of the NC-4. should not
now falter and fall by the wayside
in aviation"
Secretary Daniels wants at least
$50 600 900 for the development of
naval aviation during the coming
year. Navy experts have asked for
S45.000.0O0. If only S15.000.00O is
forthcoming the navy will be COM
PEELED to forsake its program for
the building of dirigibles. The
rigid dirigible, he says, rendered
splendid service during the period
OF the war and were used success
fully by both Great Britain and
Germany. Concerning the part air
craft have in cooperating with a
battle fleet. Mr.. Daniels views are
as follows:
Big Help to Gunners.
"Spotting from aircraft increases
the gunnery efficiency at long ranges
tremendously and gunnery efficiency
perhaps is. more than anything else,
the real measure of efficiency of the
feet Several times in our recent
fleet exercises, low visibility or
screens absolutely prohibited
spotting from ships, and all spots
had to be taken from the spoilers in
the aircraft overhead. The improve
ment in the ability to spot is one of
the compelling reasons for shooting
at longer ranges. A naval action un-
doubtedly will be begun in clear
weather at ranges OF over 10000
yards and spotting from high in the
air will be of paramount impor-
tance."
Rear Admiral D. W. Taylor, CHIEF
of the Bureau of Construction and
Repair, said: Il am very glad they
got over. and they are to be con-
graduated on the exploit. The fact
that the feat has been performed
will give great impetus to the art
OF long-distance flying both at home
and abroad"
there Is no American machine that
can duplicate the feat of Capt AL
cock and Lieut.. Brown. What ap-
pears to be wanting is engine power
for the simple plane or planes OF the
Vickers-Vimy type. It is stated that
American planes in recent tests at
flying fields have made 1874 miles an
hour. while the Vickers-Vimy made
but 124 miles per hour.
The officials say that there will be
very little progress made IL the navy
is not supplied with money liberally
for aeronautic experimentation. For
the present they seem to be obliged
to content themselves with the fact
that the United States-the home or
the heavier-than-air machine-is en-
titled to the credit of having frs,
crossed the Atlantic in such a vessel.
The position of the Navy Department
Is that its results were sought for In
the interest OF commerce.