The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
AIRCRAFT AND
 WAR IN FUTURE
By HOLLAND

New York, September 4-(Special Among the other recommendations which were made in the recent report of inc American aviation mission. which recent " finished a study of aviation conditions III Engiand' France and Italy, is one which is based upon the fact that the existence of aerial transportation in- dustry with very large commercial air Fleet, would greatly decrease the need Tor strictly military or naval eouinn,ent For the resources of all the aircraft and landing field facilities and personnel as well as the manufacturing and mainten ance facilities, would be available as a reserve in time of war
 IL would not be necessary as was the case at the beginning of the Europea n war, for the United States practically to begin, not only the construction of air plants, but also the training of an ade uuate 1orce or skilled pilots and mechan- lcS.
 Benedict Crowell, assistant secretary of war, who is chairman of the America n aVldtlon mission, and who has returned to the united States. strongly impressed With the need of high development under the sponsorship of the federal govern ment, Of American aircraft. both for coihnerciai purposes, for which here- after there is to be very large de- mand, and also for reserve military and naval purposes. says that the most eco- nomical way to develop a strong air ser wee LOT national defense is to encoura ge py every means possible the use of air craft for commercial purposes. In that way very large commercial fleet. which would De sure Of constant and profitable employment. can be built up at relative
 N small fn hn The experience of the United States during the war proved that aircraft fa . cliities and personnel. and particularly the skilled artisanship which is neces- sary for the making and operating of that plant, cannot be obtained at short notice These things entail long train ing, and that involves great expense.
 SHRINKING AWAY In the last year of the war the airplane productive industry in the United States reached very large proportions. But it almost instantly stopped with the signing of the armistice. There is visible evil dence Of that for those who visit the great aviation fields which were estab- lshed by the United States during the war. One of the most active of these helds, as well as the most successful in the production of airplanes for war purposes, was established at Dayton a It was so-called hive of industry. But when the armistice was signed. silence dt once prevailed. and that great plant TOW furnishes no more than an object
 lesson teaching what the government did in airplane industry while the war was in progress.
 Therefore 1t is deemed certain that unless immediate attention is given to the conservation of American airplane production, 1t is likely to disappear, and la considerable portion of the enormous sums expended in it's development will have been spent fruitlessly. Mr. Crow ell says that the industry does not re- auire large volume of business, all though it does entail for it's success a steady and dependable demand Other- wise, private capital will not long re- main interested.
 What is evidently the desire of all of those who are interested in aircraft pro- duction is the sponsorship of the United States and necessary legislation where py that sponsorship can be made avail able.
 The government can if Congress aids establish series of flying routes throughout the United States and should prepare maps and descriptions of each of these routes. There should be estab- lished at national expense flying fields in strategic locations. Flying routes and flying fields should be equipped at na- tional expense. with signalling and com munication systems, the governments at titIde being the same as the one which Is maintained towards shipping, light house and coast patrol service.
 THE STUDY OF THE AIR
 It may be that by and by the science of meteorology will be greatly advanced