The New York herald., 1922-02-12

opeC.QL CdoLc 20 HE NEW YORK III
Copyright. 1929, ov THE NEW YORK HEsA.s
New York Herald Bureau.
London. Feb. IL.
A mechanical air pilot demonstrated
its fitness by guiding a twin engine
Farman Goliath airplane across the
channel this week. The plane, carry
ing twelve passengers and a human
pilot. was sent up to a. height of 1000
feet and then the pilot attached the
mechanical substitute, put his hands
in his pockets and removed his feet
from the control. The machine trav-
eled many miles steadily, the auto.
matte apparatus correcting for air
currents before the movement became
perceptible to the human brain.
George .s7cline the inventor, says
that the principle of; ME .vice is
quicksilver operating electricary -
compressed air motor which obtains
its power from the rush of wind as the
plane goes through the air.
VI Tom ntCatfOn.
The immediate future of aviation in
Great Britain lies in linking up the
empire, according TO opinions ex-
pi essed at the air conference held IN
the Guildhall. "A sure, simple. but not
extravagant optimism" as advocated by
Capt. f. Z. Guest. Secretary of state
ahd president OF the Air Council. was
generally approved, together with his
motto: "sit tight work hard and be
ready for better times in aviation
Regarding aircraft travel in general
Capt. Guest said there was little or no
hope of real commercial success being
obtained in Europe. He argued that
England was so well supplied with rail-
roads as to render commercial aviation
unattractive and certainly not proit-
able. He said he believed this was also
true OF Europe generally. THE pros
poets Of aerial supremacy in Europe
are not very great he Id. land won't
be for many, many long years And
believe that is true 20 a lesser extent
OF America also"
He added. however that counterbal-
ancins this there is a bright outlook for
Great Britain, because the empire had
spaces and distances that could not be
approached except by air. and he urged
that future attention be directed I'm this
direction. Aviation, i'm his opinion he
said had passed through the most try
ing period and better times were ahead.
There are two reasons for the present
slow development in aviation. Captain
Guest continued, trade depression and the
definite obstacle OF the danger OF aerial
navigation. Development in reducing
the danger. he said. had been slow but
certainly sure.
/ The conference passed resolution
calling upon the Government to give
consideration TO the founda tion. of air
mail service throughout the empire
Poor Results for Commerce.
Lord Weir insisted that three vea-
review of civil air transportation COM
pels the confession that there have been
very meaeer results. He said that Great
Britain had been unable to demonstrate
that the practical utility OF aviation was
commensurate with the cost for an,-
purpose whatever with the exception
of Channel service. "In all parts OF tho
world the picture Is much the same" he
added. There have been no results
comparable with the expenditure no
obvious progress either in n technical
or commercial sense" He said the
value OF the airpiane would become sp-
parent when its capabilities were
greater and It's defects less.
Major G.. II. Scott. who piloted the
R-34 across the Atlantic. told the confer
ence that Il was wrong co suppose that
the disaster of the R-3S confirmed any
general conclusion that 'airshfps were
not sufficiently developed to sbe EN-.
ployed commercially. He strongly adj
vocated imperial airship services for tho
Improvement of communications and
empire defence.
Tho conference continued for two DAYS
and included an inspection OF the aero
drome at Croydon. There were many
warnings that Great Britain was falling
behind America, France and Germany
in air development. and II was urged
that steps be taken TO regain suprem.
acy in this field