Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-03-02
GENERAL STAFF
OFFICER HERE
FOR REPORT ON
SOUTHER FIELD
More Than 1900 Officers and Men
Expected Under Permanent
Status

Major Moulthrop of the general staff
of the u S. army at Washington, was
at Souther Field Friday for several
hours. He has visited all the flying
fields throughout the United States
for the purpose of making report as
to their relative advantages for train
ing purposes.
1t is understood that large number
of the camps and fields throughout the
country are to be discontinued, due to
the cessation of extensive training on
account of the war; and Major Moul-
throp was sent around to the various
fields in order to inspect them
He took short fight with Major
Butts in an airplane over the sur
rounding country, and had long con-
ference with Colonel Dickman, the
commanding officer, relative to Sou
Their Field and points of interest con-
nected Herewith.
The visit of Major Moulthrop is
highly interesting to Americas in
connection with the letter received by
the Chamber of Commerce late Friday
from Congressman Chas. R. Crisp, at
Washington, stating that the aircraft
board, acting at the request of the
general staff, had recommended the
retention of Souther Field as an active
post, and the substitution of it for a
post now on the active list.
This letter seems to make it all but
final that Souther Field is to be made
a permanent field, in which case, air
service officers, say it is probable at
least 1875 officers and LOO men will be
stationed here, in addition to those at
the Aviation General Supply depot.
The complete letter from Represent
alive Crisp, which is self-explanatory,
follows:
when SOME months ago the Gen
OIdl DJdn tucG SCA LuA1A
aviation camps be retained for perma-
rent flying fields, Souther was not in
e'uded in the list. When the above
recommendation was made, the air
craft division was not consulted, and
had nothing to do with the recon-
mendation.
"As you know, for the last several
months l have been actively at work
on this proposition, and succeeded in
getting the General Staff to ask the
aircraft board for their recommended
ton in the premises The aircraft
board strongly recommended the re-
ttntion of Souther Field, and asked
trat it be substituted for one of the
camps recommended by the General
Staff. The recommendation of the air.
craft board so far as Souther is
concerned, is magnificent. 1t could
not be better
Yesterday l saw the Secretary of
War and he advised me that he had
sent the recommendation of the air
craft board urging that Souther be re-
tanned, to the General Staff with a
view to seeing if they could not modify
their former recommendation, and ask
that Souther be made permanent
camp. The secretary was not in posi-
t1cn to give me any definite promise,
but he very frankly told me ne thought
the chances of the retention of Sou
Their were splendid. He made note
OF it, and told me if anything happen
ed adversely he would promptly notify
ME. will get Senators Smith and
Harris also to see the Secretary Of
War. and the General Staff in behalf
of cur camp. The outlook is very en-
couraging. have left nothing undone
that I could do, to hold our camp"
In further confirmation Of the belief
that Souther Field will he e,msnent,
The Macon Telegraph Saturday morn
ing published the following from it's
washington correspondent REPRE-
sentative Chas! R. Crisp fesls greatly
encouraged over the prospects for the
retention of the aviation field at Amer
CONTINUED on Last Page.) ="