The New York herald., 1920-01-22
TELL HOW STATE
COULD LEAD In AIR
Expert Aviators Make Sugges-
ton to Governors Commits
sion In Session Here.
WOULD ADOPT PARIS RULES
One Witness Says New York Has
Ample Money and Good
Location.

Expert testimony on the advisability Of
establishing rules and regulations to
govern aerial navigation within the State
was heard last night by the Aviation
Commission appointed by Governor Alfred
z. Smith to make an exhaustive investiga-
tion. The meeting, the third to be held
here. was held In the City Hall, with
Colonel Jefferson de Mont Thompson.
head of the aviation branch of the New
York Police Department in the chair.
Henry B. Herts was the only other MEM
ber Of the commission present.
Testimony was given by Lieutenant
Ralph Keely. U. S. N. who was secretary
to the American delegation of the Aero
nautic Commission of the peace confer
ence; Walter Kruesi of Frazar & Co.. and
f. G.. Brown, of Bearmores, Ltd, Of Lon
don.
Lieutenant Keely advised that the com
mission procure from the Secretary Of
State copies OF the convention relating to
air navigation as adopted by the commits
sion in Paris in October, 1919. While this
convention was designed to cover inter
national flying, Lieutenant Keely believed
that merely by changing the wording it
could be made to serve as guidance for
flying in New York State.
New York to Lead Country.
With such law, Lieutenant Keely said,
he believed New York would lead the
country in commercial flying: Other States,
he said, probably would adopt similar
rules, thereby giving considerable impetus
to commercial aviation throughout the
country.
The international convention, Lieuten-
ant Keely said. provided fer the issuance
of certificates of air worthiness, stand
ardization Of tests for pilots license. rules
as to lights and signals.
Mr.. Kruesi, whose company is largely
concerned in foreign trade, said that the
encouragement of aviation had been so
much more pronounced in Japan and
China than in the United States or else
where in the world that he has purchased
several machines for use in those coun-
tries and has sent American aviators
there to pilot them.
The State Aviation Commission can
and should develop public airdromes
throughout the, State, and have them To-
expensive subsequent alterations, as in
the case Of the railroads. The develop
ment of the navigation Of the air for
commerce, pleasure and the preparation
for war lies with this commission. The
State should develop this force for the
protection of property as we'll as life"
"Has Money and Location"
Mr., Brown, who recently has visited
many airplane factories in this country,
said New York State has two very essen
tial qualifications for the establishment Of
the proposed air service-money and loca-
ton. ..r...t,
lie said that the Vickers. who built the
machine first to fly the Atlantic in non
stop flight and the first to fly from Eng
land to Australia, are establishing COM
mercial lines in, South Africa and a trans
atlantic line from England to the United
States The Western terminal of this line,
he said. will be New York.
America. Mr.. Brown said, cannot afford
to lag behind in aviation, as admittedly
she is doing. She is ahead in the building
Of automobiles and with her great dis
tances she should be in aviation.
The next meeting in the. series being held
by the commission will be held at City
Hall Saturday afternoon. There will be
meetings next Monday. afternoon, Wednes-
day evening and Saturday afternoon. This
Twill finish the January sittinss There
will be others in February.