The Holly chieftain., 1922-08-17


"The principal recommendations made by this
commission, none of which have been adopted and
which discredited rather than discouraged,
were the establishment of department of air.
with cabinet officer at Its head coequal in mpor-
tance and in representation with the Departments
of War. Navy and of Commerce; the establish
ment of governmental institutions of education
and training including air academy all open
alike under proper restriction to military civilian
and naval personnel, and the adoption of sys-
TEN OF circulating army, navy and civil personnel
through the national air service.
"Is not the time at hand to demand that
efficient intelligent and definite policy be formu-
lated and carried out?
"Those who have studied this matter thoroughly
and fairly are of the opinion that this will be i'm
possible as long as our present policy of distrib-
uting air activities among several govern
mental departments is tolerated. and 1t Is neces-
sary that we have reorganization Of our national
defense agencies If our future air power Ia
not to be entirely eclipsed by other nations.
1.-THE Indifference of government and the
manner In which aviation is being discouraged and
our aviation personnel demornlized may be nppre-
ciated from what has recently been brought to
light in the navy
"As has been stated in the findings and recon-
mendations of the aviation commission, heretofore
referred to, any future Will inevitably open
with great aerial activity on both sides. Lying
we are between two oceans, our first steps in war
will be over the Early In the war the disad-
vantages Of having our Army Air Service as part
Of the Signal corps were recognized, and 1t
made distinct and separate service of the army.
AS result Army Air Service is more efficient
than 1t could have been otherwise part of
the army. If we are to uphold our defense
the sea must have an air navy. Our naval avi-
alton service must be rounded ont into distinct
and separate corps, and then combined with
Army Air Service and our bureau of civil acTouau-
tics into great, efficient and well balanced
national air service.
"What we need now is the consolidation of our
War and Navy departments into n single Depart
ment of National Defense. with Secretary for
National Defense as It's head and undersecre-
tary for army, undersecretary for navy and an
undersecretary for air. The underdepartment for
air should have, in addition to the undersecretary
for mir Mt Its head, three subadministrative off,
GERS an assistant secretary for army air an as
sistant secretary for naval air and assistant
secretary for civil mir.
"Such an organization would not only foster
greater economy and cooperation between our
present army and navy but would create great.
efficient and well-baanced national air service.
"Such service would carry with 1t a morale
and spirit equal to that of our much-admiref
Marine corps. 1t would facilitate the establish.
ment Of schools of strategy and tactics OF the air
and Of well-directed study Of the science Of aero
nautical engineering. 1t would give the personnel
an opportunity to devote their attention to the pro
motion OF the development of aeronautics II
would retain all experienced aviators In the sery-
ice. 1t would bring present more or less dis
organized and dissatisfied navy and army aviation.
into ws'korganized, efficient and valuable unit
Of our armed forces.
1.-THE handwriting on the wall must be seen and
action must be taken. Our future in the air must
be governed and guided not by the selfish desires
of the advocates Of the old school but by the re-
Quirements Of the defense and preservation of our
national integrity"