, 1922-08-17

progress has been made and rapid strides have
been taken in the development of this science.
Many foreign nations, cognizant OF the necessity
and Importance OF aircraft, have initiated military
programs and programs OF mail and passenger
transportation in the air far superior TO the pres
ent policy of our government. and have done much
to encourage the general development Of aeronau-
ties through governmental aid to commercial in
dustry. Great Britain particularly, very soon after
the war, reached the conclusion that the domi-
nance of the air is at least of equal Importance
with that of the seas and set about To plan a def
mite policy of aerial development and the co-ordi-
nation OF her aircraft activities, leading to the
establishment of a separate ministry Of air, which
has taken the lead In practically every phase OF
aerial development.
Economic considerations as well as those Of
national defense demand that the United States
Immediately formulate a definite, comprehensive
and Intelligent policy for the development OF every
phase OF aeronautlcs and Of actively encouraging
the aerial transportation industry. which is vitality
essential to the future progress and prosperity OF
the nation. To neglect longer the establishment
Of an intelligent policy is inexcusable.
because of the absence OF any well-dehned
sympathetic program on the part Of our govern
ment since the armistlce. the American aeronautl-
cal industry, built up at such great expense OF
money and effort during the war, is rapidly dis
appearing. The almost antagonlstlc attitude Of
our government toward this industry has discour-
aged business men, and under the circumstances
they were entirely justified in Withdrawing their
money from this held. Ninety per cent OF the
aviation Industry created during the war has been
hquidated. and unless a more sympathetic and
definite policy Of cooperation Is established with
out delay. II Is inevitable that the remaining 10
per cent will also disappear. The future develop
ment Of aerial navigation generally Is In no way
limited To military and naval functions. and the
closest possible cooperation must ar all times
exist between the aeronautic agencies OF the gov
eminent and the commercial Industry engaged in
the production and development OF aircraft.
"In July. 1919, an American aviation mission.
which was formed at the Instance OF the then
secretary OF war to investigate and study all forms
Of organization. production and development Of
this science. submitted n report to the secretary
of war outlining the results OF their Investigations.
This report presents the results ~ the only avin.
ton investigation ever made for the United States
government. The findings OF this commission were
extremely unpopular with old army and navy Off
GERS, and the conclusions and recommendations
as incorporated in these findings are apparently
being entirely ignored by the present as they were
by the past administration. They are frowned
upon By the general stats OF both army and navy.
in spite of the fact that they are even more sound
today than In 1919, when the report was made.
The report was In part as follows;
"As a result OF our studies, your mission desires to
emphasize tho universal opinion OF its members that
immediate action - neccsanry to safeguard tho air
eminent some benefit OF the great aviation expendl-
lures made during ths period OF the war, and 70 pre-
appearing.
THAT we Of today are cor cclvahly no more qualified
to Judge as TO the scale and development OF the air