The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-17
LOCAL FLYING CLUB
 MAKING PROGRESS IN ORGANIZATION
$244,000 of Equipment Is Furnished By Government. Will Be Center of Train
 ing for Reserve Officers

The Birmingham Flying club an- nounces considerable progress in the organization of the 135th United States observation squadron of the Alabama National Guard.
 The officer personnel, consisting of 25 men, is complete, and of the 90 enlisted men required for the squadron, About 40 per cent have been enlisted.
 ]. Mercer Barnett Is acting as sponsor for the squadron. and it Is intended to have 8 high class Of young men in tho organization. It is requested that those desiring 10 enlist apply by writing to F. w.. Sanford, Coz Empire building, or in person between the hours of and $ D. m. on October 19 at this office. On the date named several officers of tho squadron will be present and explain in detail the points that may come up and in which tho young men may desire information.
 Air Field Located
 An air field located just south of Thomas furnace of tho Republic Iron and Steel company has been obtained and two steel hangars 66x140 feet have been shipped to Birmingham and are ready for erection. Com plete equipment and maintenance of the squadron Is furnished by the gov ernmeut. Field and hangars are to be furnished by the state, and 1t is up to the Flying club, with the as sistance of the public. to provide these.
 Jt is understood that the govern m mt intends to make this squadron tho center .of training for reserve officers in Alabama and adjacent states.
 Birmingham an Air Port
 Among other services which the squadron will be able to furnish will be air photographing and surveying in connection with development of roadways, waterways and the like. The establishment of the squadron will make Birmingham m air port with all tho advantages attaching to that connection.
 squadron will be worth $244,O0O, eN- elusive of the hangars, which cost s20,000
 Among the advantages of being a member of the squadron are these Members, during term of enlistment, will be exempt from poll tax, road tax. street tax and jury duty.
 Eligible for West Point
 Members are eligible for examina tion for cadetship at the United States Military academy, West Point, N Y.
 They are eligible for commission in reserve service. United States army, and active commission In the national guard.
 Members are eligible for attendance at regular army service schools. Enlistments of men who have had at least four months service in the army between April 5, 1917, and No- vember II, 1918, will be accredited for either one or three years. Pay of Enlisted Men Amdng the equipment furnished by the government are nine planes, radio telephone and telegraph, motor trucks, motorcycles, flying machine shop equipment and the like, valued at more than s250,00o. Drill pay of master sergeant Is $14S, of technical sergeant $106, ser geants 800, oorporals $75 and privates S60 to $70, based on attendance on 60 drills for the year. This does not include pay for the 15-day eneain ment. which is 10 to 30 per cent higher.
 The officer personnel of the squad ron and other members of the Fly ing club are as follows: Personnel of Club James A Messner, president; 10. w. Stanford, vice president; w. V. M Robertson, Jr, vice president; II. l. Badham, Jr., secretary; Jack E. Smith, treasurer; Sumpter Smith. Frank B. Cornell, Dr. E. $. Lester, II. G. Haydorn. Ed k. Saun- der" rom G. Wingo, Alex Dearborn. Jr.. James A. Simpson, A. G. Conc Hey, George W. Archer, Lovick L. Stephenson, Jr., George W. Eustis, w. Bert Stiles, Basil M. Clark, sam l c. Bowman, Hayden Brooks, John J. Beggs. w. A. McNeely, Harry Rees. Key Foster, Frank Dixon, Lloyd Bowers, A. W, McDougal, J. w. Nc I Dodgal w. W. Tarleton, George k. Benton, Henry Johnson. Commanding officer of the squadron will be Maj. James A. Meissner, one of the country's foremost aces