New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-08-13


which 1t does not read about.
The manner In which America has
assumed the leadership In aviation over
the rest of the world comes as sur
prise to most people.
Forty thousand feet altitude, twenty
six hours endurance, ono million miles
Of air mail flying without fatality,
and numerous speed records Of air.
planes and air yachts-all are achieve
ments of the last year in the United
States alonei
Rapid Progress Made
By Army and Navy Craft
Due TO the necessities Of govern
mental secrecy, 1t is to be regretted
that the public cannot be more fully
informed of the rapid and successful
progress being made by the Navy De-
partment and the army air service In
their technical developments.
The statistics OF the Aeronautical
Chamber of Commerce. above referred
TO, show more and more every day the
lead that America Is assuming in all
branches of aviation. Added to the
navy's achievements in the successful
development of torpedo planes, az an
nounced recently, may be mentioned
the successful development by the
Navy Department Of the catapult and
Of various types Of planes for ship
board use that have proved most sat!s-
factory. The army air service has per-
fected many new types of combat and
bombing planes, and the army has actu-
ally perfected, ready for service. arma-
ment for combat planes, details OF
which cannot be disclosed, which is far
superior to anything in Europe. In sd-
dltlon to this the army air service. In
order to stimulate the development Of
the highest class Of pursuit planes, has
placed carte blanche" orders with sew
eral constructors for the fastest air
planes in the world, which are now
being built around high-powered mo-
tors that were initiated and perfected
by the engineers at McCook Field.
Practically every worlds record q
any consequence is held in this coun-
try. The worlds altitude record. the
worlds speed record around a circuit.
the worlds seaplane records, the
worlds endurance record, were all
made by American pilots within tbs
last year.
America has the flyers, the raw mate
rails, the engineers and splendid gov
eminent technical departments that
have all combined toward the aim of
making this country supreme in avta-
ton, and the results achieved in
short year have surprised even the
most optimistic.
The air mail service is the greatest
commercial air route operated any
where, with a record not even an
preached by any European air line. OF
having flown 3,525,o2o miles I'D to jan
uary 1 Of this year.
Air yachting by private owners Of
aircraft has been started in this coun-
try with excellent results. This Is
branch of commercial aviation that Is
totally unknown in Europe. The char
tering Of seaplanes and flying boats Of
several different types, fer trips from
New York and other large centers 70
neighooring watering places, is prac-
ttcally daily occurrence, and while
there are In this country as vet no
overland air routes, such as London to
Paris, the success that the flying boat
operation In this country has achieved
when compared to the difficulties and
tremendous expense of the London TO
Paris route, have led many experts 60
the conclusion that the conception OF
commercial aviation in this country IL
far souuder and more practical. 1t ap-
pears to be curious fact that large
number Of the passengers on the Euro
pean air lines are Americans.
Much Of the rapidly increasing sue
cess of American aviation is attribut-
able to intelligent interest and co-oper
alton Of the army and navy. This
country lacks but two things-aero-
nautical legislation as presented in the
Wadsworth bill now before Congress
and public support and confidence in
air travel, which are being greatly
stimulated by the recent successful de-
velopments in all branches Of Amer
lean aviation.
No better example Of the ssirit of
the government can be given than the
following letter sent by President
Harding:
"The White House, Washington.
Gentlemen: I find pleasure in
adding q word expressive Of my
interest in aerial transport, and in
the presentation Of the subject
which is being made by the Aero
nautical Chamber Of Commerce. The
history Of civilization is largely the
history Of communication. Each
stage OF progress seems to demand
and develop improved means Of
transport. The steamship, the rail.
road and the motor car have been
devised and utilized. Now we enter
new phase. 1t Ia q real distinction
to America to be known as the
birthplace of the airplane; 1t should
he nur ropraru hat