The sun., 1919-06-27
AIRPLANE INDUSTRY
CRYING FOR RELIEF
Army and Navy Uncertainty
Likely to Kill Business,
Say Manufacturers.
POLICY TERMED UNIQUE
European Countries Appro-
pirate Vast Sums for Avia-
ton Development.
special DespafcA 70 Tan suS.

Special Despdfch 10 IHt Dun.
WASHINGTON, juno 2s.-The airplxsse
industry. from which the American An
must draw It's supply II It IL to
be kept alive. Is virtually going out OF
business unless speedy relief Ia
promised by the Government. The un-
certainty as to whether the army and
navy are going to continue developing
their respective air services, the pros
pective cutting Off Of needed appropria-
tons by Congress and the cancellation
by Secretary Baker of such contracts
"a Assistant Secretary Crowell authorized
for the manufacture Of airplanes and
engines have combined to cause the
its usefulness as doubtful 30 lar as
future development In concerned.
The situation as presented to Senators
here by representatives of the manufac-
turers is described as unique, In view OF
the fact that Great Britain has nppro-
priated $3.50, 100000 for development OF
aviation and France s220, 100000. The
plea for similar expenditure by America
is not stressed nor do the manufacturers
ask continuance OF patronage by the
Government on a large scale. but they
do ask for enough orders to permit them
to keep the industry from dislntegrating
ton period between war time needs and
peace time development.
dad Business" Il Argument.
The manufacturers take the position
that a S10,000.0o0 airplane industry mas
been built as one Of the assets OF the
war. and that to scrap this industry now
would not only be a serious mistake
from the military point of view. but an
unprecedented example Of poor business.
The industry already has shrunk from a
personnel OF 900, 900 to a mere 5000. and
the problem Of providing work for the
smaller number OF airrnen and ground
workers appears to be more than the
United States can stand. Those retained
in the industry are mostly specialists.
aeronautical engineers and craftsmen.
who must seek other fields and cannot be
replaced readily.
Mr. Baker in cancelling the contracts
for 500 planes and 1000 engines which
Mr.. Crowell authorized took the position
that the time for war contracts had
passed and that under his authority fur
Their work along this line could not be
undertaken without sanction Of Con-
gress. In authorizing the contracts and
making public announcement Mr.. Crowell
explained that this course was absolutely
necessary to keep the industry alive.
Representatives of the manufacturers
are not blaming Mr.. Baker or either po-
litical party In Congress. but contend
that unless indecision and shifting of
responsibility cease the industry will
have to shut down and therefore will
not be In a position to handle work for
the Government II such Is later decided
upon.
Senator New (Ind). one OF those
who has been most actively interested in
the study OF applied aeronautics, is
known to be deeply concerned over the
dangers OF q collapse Of the alrplane in
dustry. There is q plan to establish
a special Senate Committee on Aeronau-
tics. Of which Senator New probably
would be the chairman. and II this Is
done there Is general belief that ef-
fective measures may be taken to stop
complete dsintegration OF the service
In connection with this committee the
names of four Republicans and three
Democrats are mentioned: Senators
New, Frelinghuysen, Wadsworth and
Jones (Wash.). Republicans: Chamber
lain, Henderson and Sheppard, Demo-
Gratis
An example Of how much the services
Of such a committee are needed IL cited
in connection with the striking from
tho army bill on a point of order by
Senator MCCLELLAN (Tenn) provision
which would have enabled the United
States to be represented at the inter
national aircraft Standardization com.
mittee abroad. This appropriation was
only $4,000. This international COM
nittee has been taking UP such subjects
as how to find hidden defects in air.
plane parts, how to ascertain airworthi-
ness. how to standardize vital matters
pertaining to aeronautics to increase
safety and progress"
United States Alone Unrepresented
All tho leading countries have repro.
| sentatives, and the combined lessons OF
the war in aeronautics are being uset
under the supervision Of the best brain,
that all countries excepting the United
states) can provide in this special line
The expense of sending American rep
resentatives would admittedly be insig.
nihcant. Secretary Baker decided thai
America should by all means be repre-.
scented, and even went 80 far as Il
consider the personnel, but In this ca &c
as in the matter OF the Crowell con
tracts, he decided to put the matter ur
to Congresa
Although the Senate has Appropriated
$5O,500,000 for aviation, there ia a
growing feeling that the House will nah,
| against this sum and unless some sun
port is given to those who are inter
| ested In aviation the belief Ia tina
whatever provision Is made will be an