Evening star., 1921-04-12

tafy ana CIVIL purposes lie cH-
couragsment of the civil develop
ment of aeronautics is especially
desirable as relieving the govern
ment largely of the expense OF
development and of maintenance
of an industry. now almost entire
ly borne by the government
through appropriations for the
military, naval and postal air
services. The air mail service Is
an important initial step in the
direction of commercial aviation.
1t has become a pressing duty OF
the federal government to provide
for the regulation of air navigation;
otherwise Independent and conflict
ing LEGISLATION will be enacted by
the various States which will hamper
the development of aviation. The
national advisory committee for
aeronautics, in a special report on
this subject, has recommended the
establishment of a bureau of aero.
nautics in the Department OF Com
merce for the federal regulation of
ton ought to have legislative ap-
proval.
recommended the enactment of
legislation establishing bureau OF
aeronautics in the Navy Depart
ment to centralize the control of
naval activities in aeronautics. and
removing the restrictions on the
personnel detailed to aviation in the
Navy.
The Army air service should be
continued as coordinate COM
batant of the Army, and its exist
ing organization utilized in CO.
operation with other agencies Of the
government in the establish ment of
national transcontinental airways,
and in cooperation with the states
in the establishment of local air
dromes and landing fields.
Gratdt1Ae for Soldiers.
The American people expect Con-
gress unfailinHly to voice the graft
tude of the republic in generous
and practical way to its defenders
in the world war; who. need the
supporting arm of the government.
Our very immediate concern is for
the crippled soldiers and those deeply
needing the helping hand of govern
ment. Conscious of the generous
intent of Congress. and the public
concern for the crippled and de-
pendent. l invited the services of
volunteer committee to inquire into
the admission of the bureau Of
war risk insurance. the Federal
Board for Vocational Training and
other agencies of government in
caring for the ex-soldiers, sailors
and marines of the world war.
This committee promptly report
ed the chief difficulty to be the
imperfect organization of govern
mental effort, the same lack of CO.
ordination which hinders govern
ment efficiency in many UNDER
takings, less noticed because the
need for prompt service is less ap-
pealing.
The committee has recommended,
and I convey the recommendations
to you with cordial approval, that
all government agencies looking
to. the welfare of the ex-service
men should be placed under one
directing head. SO that the well
fare of these disabled saviors Of
our civilization and freedom may
have the most efficient direction.
II may be we'll to make such an
official the director general of
service to war veterans, and place
under his direction all hospitali-
zation, vocationa training, war in
surance. rehabilitation and all
pensions.
The immediate extension and
utilization OF the governments
hospital facilities in Army and
Navy will bring relief to the acute
conditions most complained Of,
and the hospital building program
may be worked out to meet the
needs likely to be urgent at the
time of posi- BILE completion.
Program Requires Thought.
The whole program requires the
most thoughtful attention of Con-
gress fog we are embarking on the
performance Of sacred obliga-
tion which involves the expendi-
ture of billions in the half GEN.
tury before US. Congress must per-
feet the policy of generous graf
itude. and conscientious admins
tration must stamp out abuses in
the very beginning. We must
strengthen rather than weaken the
moral fiber Of. the beneficiarieA
and humanize. all efforts so that
rehabilitation shall be attended by
respiritualization.
During the recent political can
vass the proposal was made that
department of public. welfare
should he created. 1t was indorsed
and commended so strongly that I
venture Ito call it to your atten-