The New York herald., 1921-02-19
Appeal Is Made in Letter to
Senator Paige, Chairman
of Committee.
NEED FOR SEA CARRIERS
Secretary Points to Possibility
of Superiority of Aerial
Fighting Over Other Units.
Special Despatch 10 TIE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. G.. Feb. B.

dressed to-day 10 senator fdBe, Ciiaii
man of the Senate Naval Affairs Com
mittee, took a position favcring de-
velopment on a huge scale of. the
naval air service. Mr.. Daniels's posi-
ton urging additional appropriations
for naval aircraft is supplementary to
his stand in favor Of the continuation
Of the capital ship programme. 1t Is
the viewpoint OF naval authorities
favoring the capital ship programme
that this should be supplemented by
enlarged aircraft development.
In his letter Mr.. Daniels refers to
the fact that the world war showed
the potential force of aircraft beyond
what any one had dreamed. He says
there are people on both sides of the
water who believe aircraft is to be-
come the most effective engine of war.
1T is OF paramount Importance" he
says, that the navy be equipped with
suitable aircraft and that the aircraft.
operating with our fleets on and under
the sea, shall not be Inferior to those OF
any country In the world. Indeed. we
should lead in development as we led in
conquering the air."
Need Money for Construction.
The Secretary takes exception to the
fact that no appropriation is made in
the new naval bill for construction of
new aircraft or new projects. He urges
an appropriation for this purpose Of
s22,259. $50. He also urges the impor-
tance Of appropriating money for con-
struction OF airplane carriers which shall
accompany the fleet.
Urging this appropriation Mr.. Daniels
said: THE prime duty of the navy at
this hour Is by experiment and develop
ment and construction to perfect fight
ing ships in the air. The naval bill
which passed the House and which is
now before your committee carries a
total Of only s6,913.431 for naval avia-
ton. This sum is allocated for the
maintenance of activities as they now
exist or are planned. practically moth
ing for experiment and development on
scale commensurate with its impor-
tance.
mo appropriation is made for the
construction OF new aircraft or for new
projects l do not think 1t was the pur-
pose Of the House to cut the aviation
appropriation to so small an amount as
was contained in the bill, because the
Naval Committee of the House unani-
mously recommended the appropriation
of ss.9l4,750 for new construction. How
ever. the bill approved by the Naval AZ
fairs Committee has not been consid-
cred by the House, and my information
Is II Will not come up at this session of
Congress
Urges Senate to Act.
Therefore. 1t is necessary. If our
navy is to have even a respectable
strength in the air, that the Senate
shall make such increase of appropria-
tions as is absolutely necessary. Care
full consideration has been given to the
matter and the smallest amount that will
enable the navy during the next fiscal
year to conduct its operations. develop
ments and experiments on a scale COM
mensurate with its Importance will be
S22.259.590. This sum is absolutely
necessary unless we shall go backward
in aviation instead of going forward.
"The limited funds contained in the
House bill would make II necessary to
abandon the erection OF a rigid dirigible
in this country. This ship has been
authorized by Congress. and "A consider
able sum Of money has already been
spent upon the design of the vessel and
on the procurement and the fabrication
OF materials for the construction thereof
The joint board of the army and the
navy has placed the developments of
rgids in the hands OF the navy. and the
abandonment OF this project would In
volve the abandonment of the lighter
than air development in so far as the
construction of rigids in the United
States is concerned. carrying the vast
age Of the money already expended upon
this vessel.
Unless there Is an increase of ap-
propriations for aviation there will be
no funds available to supply modern
radio equipment to our aircraft | need
not speak OF the Importance OF secur-
ing ready communications between air
craft. surface and subsurface vessels.
Carriers a Necessity.
81 wish 20 urge upon your committee
the Importance Of appropriating for the
construction Of airplane carriers, vessels
regularly equipped for carrying planes
in connection with feet activities. The
best experts in this country and abroad
believe that unless vessels OF this class
are placed with the feet full power OF
organization cannot be developed. and
our forces would be Mt serious disad-
vantage II engaged with forces Of other
nations provided with these essentials
to a flcet
"The impelling reason Of adding air
era II carriers TO the feet will he brought
TO your attention In their personal hear
ings by Admirals Coontz, Griffin and
TAYLOR. and wish TO approve their
recommendation.
THE department feels that failure at
this time TO provide the fleet with ade-
auate aircraft would he to deny II what
is recognized as an essential part Of
modern fleet. Indeed, without suitable
aircraft and aircraft carriers, our great
feet would not only lack its eyes. but
would be seriously handicapped and
could not develop its full power needed
In war.
Economics should be effected every
where possible. but | venture TO submit
that il would not be economy to cut TO
the bone In that new arm OF naval SER
vice which some of the ablest naval
experts IN the world believe is destined
10 soon become quite as effective as any
other part Of the fleet, II. indeed, It may
not be found superior In fighting eff
cheney TO other units hitherto deemed TO
be the most effective parts OF fighting
fleet"
SIZE Help Wanted opportunities next TO las,
page now.-Adv.