The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-05-12

work This. believe, Is fortunate
circumstance for the air service. pro-
vided il fuihlls It's obligations
1t will he the cndeavor OF the air
service to fulfill these obligations as
far as possible. subject TO the limita-
tons of congressional appropriation.
INC acceptance of such cooperation
and assistance by civilian activities
shuid carry with it a reciprocal obli-
~1trUH and appeal is hereby made for
such reciprocal obligation.
TT will he in the matter Of research
and development OF material that We
must look in the future TO civilian ac-
Invites unless congress should appro-
pirate for this purpose more literally
than We have now reason 10 hope for
The air service renders every en-
CouraCement possible to private manu-
facturers tn ievelop new and i'm
proved types and al the same time
carry on It's work along these lines as
far as possible, Within the air service
Nsclf. there must be an active pro-
cressiva policy. From its present po-
sition of advantage il should be able
IN lead the way in most phases Of air
service. It should never be content
simply 10 maintain its existence
,.Asainr--of- the mary problems
pressing for solution in tho general
field of aer0nautics. the most urgent
IS that Of proper and adequate rules
and regulations for the navigation of
the air. First and foremost among
these rules should be those covering
matters of qualifications and licensing
Of pilots The rules should cover also
such activities rs general interstate
living. coast defense patrol. postal ser
vice forest patrols, com ercial pho
Biography. aerial transport service,
sports and reorea lions. explorations
nightflying. police service. smuggling.
incendiarias. etc
"On account of numerous and ur-
gent requests from various sources
throughout the country for assista nce
in the matter of exhibits and flying
exhibitions, IL vas found necessary 70
announce some policy in regard to
participation by the government in
such activities and the following
policy in regard thereto was an
nounced:
" The Air Service will give favor
able consldera ton to any project of
this sort which has for its object
: rial performa without remun-
Grafton. for development charitab BILE
or cooperative purposes Of my inter
national, national. state or civic
character but must adopt as a war
department policy disa prevail of any
project which involves competition
for money or other prizes or trophies
Again~-1t is considered an improper
use of the time of flyers and of gov
eminent property TO compete for
purses and individual prizes
In line with the policy previously
announced regarding encouragement
TO private manufacturers. ii has been
stated on numerous occasions by the
present director of the air service that
we are DESTROYS of doing everything
that is possible and legitimate in the
way of encouraging manufacturers
who have built up enormous plants
during the war to carry on in the
future This is difficult question to
deal with Unless we can give AIDE
quate orders for new planes these
manufacturers wifi have To go out OF
business as airplane manufacturers.
Again--1f we do not have ade-
1uate appropriation for new orders
no progress in the way of improve
ment in type is possible 1t can
readily he seen how closely these two
ideas are linked up together and how
necessary IL Is to have continuing
policy and financial assistance to
carry out such a policy 1t is not de-
sired. nor is il considered desira BILE
that the government itself should I'M
dertake the manufacture of planes or
engines in quantity. This must be
left to private manufacturers
What ii is aimed to do however.
In this line is to establish and main