The New York herald., 1920-12-14

| conducted and administered In the in
terests OF military and naval aviation,
! Just as the academies at Annapolis and
West Point are run
Means Greater Efficiency.
Another feature of the proposed con-
sol dation plan that carries much
weight with It's sponsors is the increased
efficiency OF the air service that they
believe would result. Provision would
be made to have units of the combined
service ass gned to duty for fixed periods
with both the army and navy forces.
In other words. the combatant ele-
ments OF the service would get the
benefit of experience with both the army
and navy. unit would be trained IN
all the fine points of reconnaissance and
observation with armies in the field,
and this training supplemented with
similar service and training in naval
manoeuvres Thus an emergency would
| find the entire air service ready for
immediate duty with either the army
or navy. schooled in both naval and
military signalling and possessed Of
whatever information the army or navy
authorities had OF the classification and
potentialities of both branches Of the
enemy's forces.
Contemplation OF action toward the
combination of the military and naval
air services will also include the bill
now pending in the House, introduced
by Representative Kahn and designed to
regulate air navigation and provide ma
chinery for the enforcement OF the Gov
ernment's control through the creation
of commission to be known as the Air
Navigation Commission. It would be-
composed of one representative each
from the War. Navy, State, Treasury,
Post Office, Agriculture and Commerce
departments, and also to include rep
resentative OF the National Advisory
Committee for Aeronautics. who would
be chairman of the commission.
The bill In its present form provides
"The commission shall draft all neces-
sary and proper rules respecting air
navigation and air traffic, including
rules of the air. the giving and needing
OF signals. periodical and before flight
inspection of aircraft, the carrying Of
lights and signals. the landing at and
departure from airdromes, using pre-
scribed routes and avoiding prohibited
areas. the carrying and tightening of
ballast. the carrying and use of wireless
telegraph and telephone instruments and
other radio equipment, the carrying,
/ keeping and exhibiting of log books and
other records. the landing for customs
and immigration inspections, and all
other matters for the safety and con-
venience of air navigation"
For Compulsory Service.
What is considered as the next most
important feature Of the new admin
! istration's preparedness plans is the
consideration of egislation that will
provide for the retention of the principle
of the selective service act. AS THE
NEW YORK HERALD In a special maya
zine article last Sunday showed. COM
| pulsory military service has become one
of the unwritten laws of the land. 1t is
proposed. If not to write II into the law.
to provide the means whereby the
principle could be applied at an hours
notice following a declaration Of war by
the Congress-
Legislation will be introduced which
| will provide the nations chief executive
who is the constitutional commander-in-
chief OF the army and navy, with the
authority and machinery to apply the
draft principle Immediately upon the
adoption of a declaration of war. 1t is
sought by this means TO avoid delay
that would be incident to the adoption
of specific legislation on the subject
How closely the ultimate plan of con-
scripton in a national emergency will
adhere to that employed during the
world war will be determined after
hearings have been held and recon-
mendat tions made by the Senate and
House committees Whatever general
plan Is adopted will be predlcated upon
the Selective Service act and whatever
notifications are recommended will be
based upon the experiences Of 1917. In
this respect the contemplated legislation
goes further toward the adoption of a
definite military policy than was in
cuded in the reorganization act of last
June and is regarded as a distinct step
| forward
It Is practically certain that some
sort Of a universal military training
bill will be introduced during the spe-
cial session. But the possibility of its
adoption is remote. Senators Wads-
worth. New. and Chamberlain (who re-
tires from the Senate on March ~ are
staunch believers In the principle OF
universal training. So are many of their
colleagues In the upper house.
1t win be recalled that Senator New
obtained twenty-six votes for such n
measure during the war emergency. But
II ls the belief OF most OF those who have
such a proposal would not be favorably
received at this time.
Wide Range in Estimates.
Despite this Chairman Kahn OF the
House Military Affairs Committee will
inauguarate a series OF public hearings
on the subject Immediately after the
holiday recess He is anxious TO get at a
reliable estimate OF the cost Figures
already provided vary all the way from
$780, 000.0 to $1,000. 100000 a year.
But Representative Kahn. who Is among
the strongest advocates OF the principle.
believes that some definite estimate is
asccrtainable on a basis Of provision for
either four or six months training for
every male citizen OF a specified age.
Nineteen years is what he considers the
suitable age for youths physically Mt
The hearings also will take up consid-
GRAFTON OF necessary exemptions and
other details OF distribution and ad-
ministration.
The opposition TO such measure,
however. Is very great It will be re-
inforced IN the event Of favorable con-
sideration Of the plans for the retention
Of the conscription principle as Ire-
paredness measure Many members be-
lieve that to be sufficient. and the all
tentative most likely TO be considered
win be a programme which VIII make
voluntary service In the National Guard
more attractive. President-elect Har-
ding is known to favor Il above the com