Evening star., 1922-01-08

will not thrive unless the operation
of the aircraft will return a substan-
tial profit. The state may interfere
with the operation of these natural
laws by granting to the owners and
operators of such aircraft direct or
indirect subsidy. By so doing enter
prises which would not otherwise be
financially successful may be enabled
to live. and in this way the number
of aircraft used for commercial pur-
poses will be greater than II the natu-
raj laws of development had been al
lowed to take their course.
s Development Unlimited.
1t is not easy to foresee what con:
sequences to human progress Will
come In the future from the develop
ment Of aeronautics in all its
branches. They will certainly be
marvellous where natural conditions
To try to limit them now with ar
bitrary laws. even If these laws have
the purpose of preventing war. would
be. In the opinion Of this committee
disastrous from the point Of view OF
world progress.
we class those owned and operated
for sport or pleasure or convenience.
the numbers of these will depend
largely upon the wealth of the ma
tion. upon the inclination of the
people toward aeronautics. upon the
cost Of the aircraft thus employed;
5. The development of aircraft has
presented the world with q new and
improved means of transportation
and communication. One Of the
causes of warfare in the past has been
a lack of the proper distribution OF
the worlds resources in raw material
food products. and the like. Another
nnfnnf nf has hopn the lack
of understanding between races
peoples and nations. Any addition
to the transportation and communica-
ton facilities of the world should
operate to improve the distribution
Of resources and likewise to lessen
tween peoples. and thus lessen the
causes of warfare. Any Limitation,
therefore. placed upon commercial
aeronautics would have the effect OF
limiting a means of transportation
and communication between the diff
ferent parts of the same state and
between different states. 1t seems
inconceivable that any limitation
should be imposed upon commercial
aeronautics unless it were with the
avowed object of thereby limiting the
air power of a state and thus de-
creasing the liability of war. Com
mercial aeronautics. with its attend
industry and personnel skilled In
the manufacture. operation and the
maintenance of aircraft, does furnish
a basis of air power. The develop
Iment of commercial aeronautics and
the development of a y nations air
power are insepaEable,
All OF Military Value.
6. Speaking broadly, all aircraf,
will be of some military value. nc
matter what restrictions may be plac-
ed upon their character. Some car
probably be converted with but few
changes into military aircraft: Others
can be designed SO that with major
or minor alterations, or even with
none at all, they can be employed foi
military purposes. AS a matter OF
fact. the uses of aircraft in war are
specialized types were designed fol
special uses. Military aircraft hav.
likewise been developed to q degree
of perfection not yet reached in COM
mercial aircraft. 1t is quite reason.
able to suppose that similar develop.
ment will take place in commercial
aircraft: that they. too. will be espe.
ciaily designed for the uses to be made
of them. and that they may depart
quite radically from the military
types used in the world war.
In military aircraft as a rule a prem
ium Is placed upon performance. Con
sideration Of initial cost, of cost Of
opertion and of ma aintenance are largel,
disregarded. The safety and convenience
Of the operators and passengers are con
sidered only as these affect their ability
to perform their military duties. II al
seems evident, commercial: aircraft mus
be specially designed f9r the servic.
they are to perform in A5der to have 6
chance of being financially successful
nfFAH$ 70 -;
sion into military craft will introduc.
complications which will increase ths
cost of production and operation. Thi.
may itself automatically act as a limi
tation, for business enterprises will no
be willing to have such conditions i'm
posed unless they are compensated il
some way for the extra cost.
Heavier.Than-Air Craft.
The war value Of an aeroplane may
be said to lie in q combination Of twt
or more of the following characteristics
z (a) its suitability for offensive ant
defensive equipment.
(b) its radius Of action.
(c) its speed.
(d) its carrying capacity.
(e) the height 1t can attain.
1t Is not desired to go too deeply
into technical matters in this report
The committee wishes. however, t.
point out that the peace value Of air.
craft is at present Intimately bount
up with the general Characteristic,
which make up the value Of the air.
plane in war. The last four Of thu
characteristics enumerated above are
dependent upon therelation between
the amount Of fuel carried, the horse.
power Of the engine. the lifting sur.
face and the total weight. The com.
smittee is of the opinion that formulas
.rnJlId he avn1Vn6 aaAnfnov hA Sn%
relationship of these factors in suct
way as to limit the war value of the
machine built in conformity there.
with. It Is more difficult to insur,
that war equipment shall not b.
mounted in commercial aeroplane
In this matter the comittee is Of thu
opinion that definite rules cannot b.
laid down.
Radius Of Action.
Radius Of action Is of high com.
mercial value. A reliable air servic.
twenty-four hours, should prove &
highly profitable undertaking. Again
in countries where there is perhaps
the greatest scope for the develop.
ment OF, airways, countries Of great
deserts for. example, radius of actor
is essential. Speed is plainly the char.
acteAstic on which aircraft rely tt
gain advantage in their competitor
with other means Of transportation
1t is not yet comfort and security, bu
time saving that will tempt passen.
gers, mails. and valuable cargoes from
|jold established services. To limi
speed is to stop progress, to throttl,
.aviation'.i ip its infancy.
II The power OF carrying numbers o
speeeenGeEs or quantities Of goods Il
Of obvious commercial value, an,
even. the attainment Of considerably
heights may eventually be a de
finite Requirement. As matter o
fact the :success Of recent expert
ments indicates that with specia
Emeans Of super-charing motors, navi
legation OF the afr VIII In the .ftltur