Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-09
Army and Navy News

nearly a century, neither railroad
trains nor ocean-going steamships are
entirely immune from accidents. and
the director of the Army air service
concludes that it is probably useless
to expect that travel by the air can
be rendered more secure than those
older methods Of travel by land and
sea. But it is reasonable to hope. he
says, that the frequency OF accidents
may be reduced and aviation provided
with a relative security equal to that
of other methods Of locomotion. In
his opinion the solution Of the prob
lem Of safety in airplanes depends on
improvements to the airplane itself
and the use OF safety devices. For the
public safety. and especially to give
passengers confidence, the director
says 1t will be necessary henceforth
ing fires and all danger Of impact on
landing. He regards safety in land
ing a most important factor.
Preservation OF Historic Airplane.
Renewed efforts are being made to
have Congress make suitable provi-
| sion for the care and preservation of
naval seaplane NC-4. which made the
| first aerial flight across the Atlantic.
made its last flight and is now dis
mantled at the Rockaway air station.
It's last service was an aerial trip
along the Atlantic and gulf coasts and
up the Mississippi valley In the inter-
| ests OF naval recruiting. Great inter-
| est was taken in 1t in every city Wis
tied and requests were made in all
quarters to have the famous seaplane
! placed on exhibition where the people
could see 1t. Newspapers generally
advocated that the precious national
possession be placed on public exhibi-
4 In CanifQ1 a
benefi, of present and future genera
lions. Naval authorities have heartily
| Endorsed the movement and have
asked Congress to provide for its per-
National Museum in the Mall. 1t has
| been estimated that 1t would cost
about $4,000 to provide the necessary
/ quarters to house the machine. with
it's wing-spread of 125 feet. In urg-
| ing action to that end. Assistant Sec
! rotary Franklin d. Roosevelt said:
/ This wonderful flying boat has
probably made its last Al ht and has
earned the right to good treatment.
She has shown the spirit of the United
States Navy to the world. Her crew
was made up Of typical American ma
good. Many people have compared
the NC-4 in historic value to Column
bus caravels and hold that the coun-
try should provide now for its exhibit
tlOn 10 future generations.
| More Marines ut Quantico.
Preparations are being made for
the transfer Of the marine base force
at Philadelphia to the marine station
OF Quantico. Va. Maj. Gen. L. w T.
| Waller. retired. now in command at
Philadelphia. will be relieved of that
duty June is. Headquarters then Will
be established at Quantico with Mai.
Gen. John A. Lejeune in command OF
the post. Brig. Gen. S. D. Butler will
have direct command of the troops,
Including the LIST Regiment, composed
of engineer. signal. searchlight, mine
and other auxiliary companies; the
5th and 9Th regiments. organized as
infantry and the 10th Regiment, or
iganized as field artillery and armed
with 75-mm. guns. Several finch
guns on caterpillar mounts, in stor-
age at Philadelphia. also may be sent
to the Quantico station.
Work Of Welfare Committees.
Through the service and informa-
ton branch of the general stan the