Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-11

W. AuuAStIioA CTutcESS xls AOSdt1Ou VI
Air Service reserve officers: T. Me-
THEOLOGICAL conditions; J, Important
aeronautica1 centers.
g. This work lends itself readily
to coordination with the Develop
ment OF National Guard and Or
ganized Reserve units and to the uni
fication OF physical plants. and the
activities of the Regular Army, Ma
tional Guard, and Organized Reserve
as outlined to you in letter from
the Chief Of Air Service, subject, Re-
organization Policy for the Air Ser.
vice. and dates January 6, 1921. These
airdromes for the National Defense
will constitute the first substantial
accomplishment in the general plan
of airways 80 80 80
~. The Importance Of these airways
is beyond argument and their estnb-
lishment may be said to be the funda-
mental consideration in the develop
ment of aeronautics as national as
set, both for war and for peace. The
plan for their organization and de-
velopment as outlined by the Chief Of
Air Service Is comprehensive and
their ultimate development will con-
continue over long period of time.
This work must he recognized as a
continuing and important duty Of all
corps area commanders and their
STATS.
rs. In the ultimate development of
portance will have It's landing, field,
with meteorological and radio sta
tons and other facilities necessary
to the successful flights of aircraft
across the country for commercial
and general purposes. An outline of
the scheme showing the organization
| OF the air route and with the neces-
| sary construction at the principal
airdromes is given later in this letter.
1t is obvious that it will be a long
| time before the routes can be finished.
The first step in the problem lies in
the organization of the Reserve and
| National Guard Units - =
IS. Existing Laws require that
units of the Reserve Corps will have
| the same organization and equip
ment as are provided for correspond
| ing units of the Regular Army. This
indicates their maximum of per-
| sonnet equipment, however and there
| is no reason why skeletonized or
greatly reduced squadrons cannot be
| provided for various localities
| Probably the ideal unit will be a
| squadron of six or eight planes with
sufficient flyers to keep the equip
ment busy and mechanics to take
care Of 1t. In their establishment,
| the question of funds or the employ
ment mechanics is the limiting
actor. Under the law and regula-
| tons they can be organized and can
be furnished with all necessary flying
| equipment as we'll as uniforms and
| individual equipment or the person.
mel. In the Air Service approria-
| ton or the fiscal year 1922 request
was made for $1,000,000 for the pur-
| pose of erecting buildings for the
| housing of such units at the follow
ing places: Boston, Mass, Philadel-
phia. Pa, Baltimore, Md, Chicago,
Ill, st. Paul, Mimi, Denver, Col,
Kansas City. Mo. Seattle, Wash.
80
! -. In addition to the above the
National Advisory Committee has
recommended the appropriation of
| the sum of s2,00O,000 for the cstab-
| ]lslnent of airways to be expended
| during the fiscal years 1929 and 1929
1t is believed, however that this
item will not he appropriated and
| That the million dollars mentioned
above will be greatly reduced. Not
Wlthstanding this lack of appropria
mons it appears probable that funds
VIII be available for flying facilities
at al or the majority of the follow
ing named places for the use Of Of
llcels now in the Reserve Corps:
J. Boston, Mass; 2, Philadelphia,
"a; 3. Chicago, H. a. Seattle.
Wash; 5, Los Angeles, Cal: 6. st.
Louis, Mo; = st. Paul, Mimi: 4.
Kansas City, Mo; Q. Baltimore, Nd;
~ Denver, Col: II. Salt Lake CITY,
Utah; u. Cleveland. Ohio; 10. Pitts
burg, Pa; il. Cincinnati, Ohio; Is,
Columbus, Ohio: 16, Indianapolis.
Ind; IL. Atlanta, Ga. ass%
3. The necessity for a wide and
vigorous campaign in this matter is
apparent - -. All State and
municipal officials should be invited
10 cooperate in the selection and
Improvement of landing fields fAss
~ must be understood that all plans
at first will be tentative and no
definite promises can be made until
poilcies can be definitely established.
ana money for the fulfillment of
these policies is in hand.
.. The construction needed for
| unit used as a main station on an
air route will be substantially as fol-
| lows: Il
AT EACH LOCALITY
Wind cone with proper sun
port and field marker T.
purchase and erection ..s 200
Well and pump. 1000 gal. tank.
purchase and erection of 10Ao
II Portable standard hanger
steel lmow available) for use
or neld office. lockers. meteor
ologicat Office and emergency
hospital and for use as ma
chlne' shop. supply, storage
and work room. additional
mm ii RAJ an direction os. III. $1,000
Win pump. pl chase and
l Portable oil house. 10 r. GU
ssa.-purchase and erection
. $50
Gas tank with approx. 1000
gals. capacity with pump,
purchase and erection Of noo
Portable standard hangers
(now evailable) with folding
or sliding doors and cement
foors-additional material and
erection of ............ 81 .0no
LefeHns ahding fieid-labor. 10, 600
Total for one aifdrome s5o non