Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-07-28
FOR AIR
SERVICE LIKELY,
SAY MESSAGES

That the future of the Air Service
looks brighter is the confidential in
formation which has been received
from Washington by officers at Sou
ther Field. 1t is understood that this
information indicates that prospects
are good for separation of the SER
vice from the War Department, with
its own cabinet officer, as has been
advocated by Assistant Secretary of
War Crowell, who recently returned
from Europe, where he had extensive
studies of European programs.
Letters were received by the Cham
Der of Commerce today from Senator
Harris and Congressman Crisp at
Washington, acknowledging messages
urging their assistance in rescuing
the Air Service from the strangling
applied by the Republicans of the
house in the annual appropriation
bill, and both of these officials ex-
pressed the belief that some relief
would be given the service eventually
by congress. Senator Harris, how
ever, said he hardly looked for any
thing in this line before the session
beginning in December Following
are copies of their letters:
Senator Harris Letter
"Mr. Joseph Perkins, Secretary Cham
Der of Commerce, Americus, Ga.
My Dear Mr. Perkins:
81 have just received your tele-
gram with reference to the Air Ser
vice and l assure you that it is mat
ter Of great interest to me.
"The Air Service was created dur
ing the war by separating it from
the Signal Corps under the authority
given the President by the Overman
act. That act becomes imperative a
short time after the declaration of
peace, and under the present status
the Air Service will revert to the Sig
nal Corps.
"In the hurry of few weeks be-
fore the Army Appropriation bill for
the fiscal year which we entered upon
on July 1st, 1919, it was impossible
to do anything with the matter.
Legislation is pending looking to-
wards the future organization of the
army, and / feel that the Air Service
will yet be given its full recognition.
"This being an extra session of
Congress with the Peace Treaty oc-
cupying the center of interest in the
Senate, and a possibility that the
House may take recess. l hardly
think legislation will be enacted be-
fore the regular session beginning in
December
81 want to assure you of my great
interest, for l know the future of the
Air Service means much to Georgia
and particularly to your section with
Souther Field as a magnificent asset,
"Please command me when / can
serve you, and with high esteem i
am. Very sincerely yours,
OWN. j. HARRIS"
Judge Crisp's Reply.
chamber of Commerce, Americus,
Ga. Gentlemen:
'Your telegram, relative to ap-
propriations for the Air Service re-
ceived.
''The republicans refused to APP
propriate the money the government
asked for this branch of the SER
vice. l think they made a mistake
and I voted against their appropria>
ton. l voted to give this arm of
the service all the money it needed.
81 believe this service is in its in
fancy, and if we, unfortunately,
have wars in the future, they will
largely be won or lost as the nation
is efficient in the air.
81 expect to support, wherever /
am, anything that tends to the adj
of this service, and of
course money is the first essential. |
Il hope we may be able to at la |
ter date to get increased appropria-
lion for this Bureau. Yours sincere
ly CHAS. r. CRISP"