New Britain herald., 1922-07-17
HARDING STRONGLY
 SUPPORTS AVIATION
Chiei Executive Again Voices Be- lief That Great Future Is Coming

New York, July 17.-Presiden, Harding has again given evidence oi his belief in the future of flying. The chief executive expects amazing de. velopments in air travel. and declares that each stage of development de- mands improved means of transport; he wants the United States to lead the world in commercial aviation. He has expressed these views in a letter to the Aeronautical Chamber of Con- merce of America, the text of which follows:
 Presidents Letter.
 The White House,
 Washington. Gentlemen:
 I find pleasure In adding a word expressive of my interest in aerial transport. and in the presentation of the subject which Is being made by the Aeronautical Chamber of Com merce. The history of civilization is largely the history of communication. Each stage of progress seems to de- mand and develop improved means of transport. The steamship, the rail- road and the motor car have been de- vised and utilized. Now we enter a America to be known as the birth place of the airplane: it should be our concern that this art shall not lan- guish, but that in its practical ap- plication we shall lead the world. An amazing development will take place in the near future in the utilization of the air as medium of transport and communication. As government, we are aiming to provide this art with necessary guarantees of law, and with such facilities as may be possi- ble through the encouragement of airways and terminals. But for air transport quickly to achieve the im- portant place it is destined to occupy, 1t must have public interest and sup port. I hope your efforts in this be- half may be productive of most grati- flying results.
 Very truly yours
 WARREN G. HARDING"
 Aeronautical Chamber.
 The Aeronautical Chamber of Com merce was organized this year to foster, advance. promulgate and promote aeronautics. and generally to do every act and thing which may be necessary and proper for the ad- vancement of American aviation"
 Starting with Orville Wright and Glenn H. Curtiss, the pioneers, and several other leading aircraft design CTS and builders, the chamber now has nearly 200 members located in every state in the Union.
 Science In Motors.
 Possibly a score of factories today have their own laboratories in which scientists are working with trained personnel making slight alterations in machines or motors, the chamber says in a statement given out in this city. These men are not seeking to produce something radical, but rather to improve the types which have jus tifed the basic principles on which they were built.
 Approximately 500 civilians are taking lessons in flying at civilian avi- ation fields this summer. The Cham Der estimates that there are 1900 civilian owned and operated aircraft in the country today.
 Price Coming Down. The average charge per passenger a year and a half ago was 65 cents mile. Last year it was 55 cents, and it is believed that the average this year will be about 50 cents. There has been slight increase in ter minal facilities so far this year. The | administration is encouraging local landing fields and national airways wherever practical.