Evening journal., 1919-04-03
5;1OO PLANES FOR
new i. S. ARMY
United Stsles to Have 200
in Commission and 3,4OO
in Reserve
23.776 MEN IN
AERO BR ANCH

WASHINGTON. April 3.--Army reor-
ganizstlon plans upon which the War
Department is now working, II was
learned yesterday provide for an air
service With approximately LOO air
planes in actual commission and a mini
mum available reserve Of $500 addi-
tional planes. This is based upon the
proposed military establishment OF oO9,-
600 men in which total The air service
persopel will be 1923 officers and 2i,-
$50 men.
The Organization tables show that
the aiE-fOrceS on a peace basis viii be
comprised OF eighty-seven service
squadrons, OF which forty-two viii be
assigned 10 coast defense work in the
United States and insular possessions
twenty will be pursuit squadrons and
twenty-five observation and bombing
squadrons. The typical army airplane
squadron includes eighteen planes In
service and their personnel.
The table also called for the main-
tenance Of forty-two balloon companies,
divided into three wings Of fourteen
companies each.
The general plan Of the army Feer-
ganizaiion calls for twenty-one divi-
sions. including one cavalry unit OF
nine regiments, to be formed into Ave
army corps, each 10 be commanded by
a Lieutensnt-General, To each corps
will be attached ave observation and
bombing squadrOns Of airplanes ana
four pursuit squadrons. representing a
wing formation for each type Of ma
chine.
The effect OF this win be 10 give the
air service definite recognition as the
fourth Of the line. or combat. forces Of
The army, the others being the old trio
Of artillery, cavalry and infantry. All
other units are supplemental forces,
generally known as auxiliary arms or
stan corps troops.
Carrying out the organization OF this
new element Of the line the tactical
formation Of the airplsne branch OF the
air service will be In squadrons, groups
and wings, and the balloon section In
companies, groups and wings.
The formation Is elastic, however,
above the squadron, two or more
squadrons, as circumstances require, |
forming group and two or more |
groups a wing. The same arrangement |
lltNdAic Win lHlNhNt NiNfei'A'f WV /
or moe OF which form a corps.
Machines In sufficient number TO 1
equip all OF the air units planned for |
are now being stored at the various avi- |
alton nelds that are being retained by |
the Government Storage capacity has |
been provided for approximately 5000 I
complete planes, not including those In
service or In Immediate reserve with
the squadrons. In edition, airplane
motors by the thousand have been
stored. the upkeep OF any unit In SER
vice requiring three or four extra
motors per plane.
The production OF plains has exceed
Ell. however. even the storage capacity
OF the fields The War Department Is
negotiating with airplane builders for
the disposal OF all training and OF a
number Of service ma
shines for which II has no present or
Indicated future use or place OF stor-
lge.
The surplus machines are said to
orm a separate problem. There Is no
yeneral market for the extra planes and
he only offers received have been for I
elatively small numbers and at prices
hat mean 20 the Government a tre- 4
nendous loss on its investment, /
There Is no reason 10 expect II Is I
'aid, that even tenth Of their cost can a
be- salvaged Probably planes that cost q
$4,000 OF more will bring not more +
Than 1000. The only offers thus far c
received have been from the con- y
tractors who built the machines. There {
Is practically no commercial market \
Tor airplanes The offers received for {
the governments surplus represent !
risks the builders are willing TO take 4,
In the hope OF finding sales for the
planes later at much less than cost
price. To illustrate the situation from /
commercial point OF view, attention
was called 10 a report that the recent
airplane show in New York City had
resulted IN only two sales.
Many government planes purchased .
by the manufacturers. Il Is understood |
are 10 be converted into seaplanes. This |
would permit their use for pleasure
without having landing nelds avallAble
since they could rise from and return
TO the water.
So far as fhe Governnnenf fs concernad