The sun., 1919-03-11
|PLAN TO DISMANTLE
PLANES CAUSES STIR
Representative La Guardia
- Declares Congress Will
Not Permit 1t.
BLOW TO THE INDUSTRY
Commercial Future in Air
Travel Told at AerOnauti-
cal Show as Protest.

Publication in THE SUN yesterday of
the intention of Secretary of War
Baker, as revealed by members Of the
Senate Committee on Military Affairs,
to dismantle the nations air service
and hand over to few Cor one) manu-
facturers airplanes and equipment cost
ing s1.672, 900. 900 at less than junk
prices was the principal topic of dis
cussion yesterday at the Aeronautical
Exposition at Madison Square Garden.
Such action would be a great set
back to commercial aviation for some
years, manufacturers declared. En-
gineers pointed out that this equipment
IL preserved or sold in small lots to
aerial research workers would be Of
immense technical value.
La Gunrdia Indignant.
Major La Guardia, pilot and legis-
lator, declared yesterday at the show
that he did not believe Secretary Baker
would sell at private bidding the greater
part of the 1850 training planes in this
country. the 6,334 United States ma
chimes in France. the 10000 Liberty
motors and the millions Of dollars worth
of raw materials and supplies collected.
"He wouldn't do that" declared Mr..
La Guardia. why, it's outrageous
against the law. Congress would not
permit it."
1t was pointed out that Congress is
not. according to the Administration
programme. to be called in special ses-
sion.
But that would be a disaster TO this
country-a disaster at a time when
England and France and the other ma
tons already have made their plans and
in fact are carrying out projects for
widespread commercial aviation.
Lend or store Material.
"If the Government desires to get rid
OF this material why not. instead OF
selling it at this ridiculously low price
lend or give 1t to airplane manufacturers
for experimental work. 1t would be OF
tremendous value II used in this manner
not only to manufacturers as whole
who are now uncertain whether to con-
tinue in this business or not, but also to
the country at large. II the Government
does not wish to let the airplane manu-
facturers have the benefit of the engines
and material they should be stored. and
stored properly, so that they may be used
In the future. Engines may be stored
for years in oil baths and planes also
may be stored"
country. Representative La Guardia de-
clared is a Department of the Air. He
said that he is working on "A bill TO put
everything connected with aviation under
one head The bill also provides for
landing fields and other necessities for
the coming aerial age.
Need United Service.
Aviation has great commercial
future and there Is no doubt that the
United States can lead" he said I'VE
have the ability and ingenuity. Any one
connected with the air service knows
that we have wasted a billion dollars
We must forget that and go ahead now.
We have an army aerial department,
navy aerial department, a Post Office
aerial department. and now | under
stand the Interior Department wants
alrplanes for use in forest fire patrols
France, England and Italy. who have
been through all this. have finally or
Eanized an Air Service Department. We
need a united service.
THE address OF Franklin D. Roose-
welt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy,
the other evening here, was encourage
irg. The tendency OF the House is to
have one department. In this way the
Government will save money and we
will encourage the industry. instead of
dealing IL a blow. as would this bulk
sale OF aviation material"
Grover G. Looming. designer of a rec
ord breaking monoplane. also is opposed
to the sale OF the planes. He pointed out
that at the present time the demand for
airplanes is at a etandstill Manufac-
turcrs are doing absolutely no business
he said, but added that they are reluctant
to discharge heir skilled employees and
close their factories or convert them to