The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-09

landing fields separated by distances
of approximately 100 miles.
Establish First Glass Field
The business men of Topeka who
are behind the plan-and there are
many more of them that one would
think-have of late taken to express
ing themselves as positively for the
establishment in Topeka of a first
class landing field. This stand has
been especially strong since the arri-
val here of the air squadron under
command of Colonel Clagett. This air
squadron is now in Chicago enroute to
Boston.
When Colonel Clagett was ques-
toned concerning the future of the air
service he declared himself as i'm
pressed with the possibilities. He him.
self was an infantry officer before be-
ing attached to the air service and it
was his assertion that the future holds
forth a promise of skies filled and
dotted with commercial airpIanes and
possibly dirigibles. He declared that
the best step forward a city can take
in this age of rapid development of
air transportation is to esta blish a
first class landing field. make appi-
cation to the government for recogni-
ton and in this way gain a first place
among the cities equipped for hand
ling visiting flyers.
Field Requirements.
ne lloiQ Oh Ine 1lTSI class
| authorized by the government is
square plot of level, we'll drained
ground. The side OF this plot must
| measure 1900 feet. Inside the square
| at a point in the center a concrete
| landing cross must be installed so that
| in wet weather or at any time when
| ground conditions are poor the avia-
| tors would have a solid place for
| landing and for taking off. Another
requirement is that the landing field
| must be far enough away from trees
and high buildings so that all danger
| OF crashes from such sources are re-
moved.
Transportation facilities and tele-
phone lines should be near at hand
at the very edge of the, field if pos
| sible. There are many other require
ments necessary to the establishment
of a field which could be recognized
| by the government. Some of these re-
| quirements present difficulties, but
| the difficulties can be ironed out as
they present themselves
| The attitude of the government air
| service in the matter of establishing a
| government field in Topeka is well
shown in an excerpt from a letter re-
| ceived here by Robert Fullerton from
| the chief of the air service. The ex-
| cerpt says:
Topeka. Kan. lies in direct route
| from Kansas City to Denver. which is
one leg of the transcontinental air
way. Any action taken by your city
in the establishment of landing field
| will be of value both to the govern
| ment and to the city of Topeka. as it
| will have its influence in the final de-
termination of the route"
Factory Here May Help.
| One other thing which lends a
brighter outlook for the establishment
of a first class landing field in Topeka
is the recent chartering of an air.
plane manufacturing company. 1t is
practically certain that this big manu-
| factory will be located in the middle
| west. If Topeka is in a position to
include a first class landing field in
her bid for the new company it will
undoubtedly carry some weight
And IL the factory ware established
here Topeka would be a city of para
mount importance in the flying worlc
u what with the mail planes of the gov
| eminent making this a regular stop
| what with transcontinentl air tourists
rand what with the planes OF home
production driven by men and womeI
of nearby towns.
The business men are going righ
ahead with their agitation. They arr
proceeding on an intelligent basis O
cooperation with the government /
is entirely possible that by next sum
mer Topeka will be on the officia
| pilots map of the United States gov
eminent as Topeka, Kansas; frs
| class landing field"