The Washington times., 1923-11-22
BLAME On
LACK 4! Of
FUNDS
Continued from First Page.)

NOuC1nued from F1rSC FageJ
or those whose business respon.
sib1lity Is clearly recognized.
While in 1922 there was perhaps
an increase in civilian flying, as
compared with 1921, commercial
aviation as q whole has been upon
q much sounder basis. Stunt flying
with passengers, has diminished in
favor OF paid flying without pas
sengers and under stricter safe
guards. There are growing in
stances of taxi-Nying, or long dis
lance cross country flights with pas
sengers or cargoes Of merchandise
This taxi flying is. an approach to-
ward regular scheduled air trans
port, which is the aim Of commercial
aviation"
Calls Conditions Depl0rabIe
Prevailing conditions at "all air
service stations were described as
deplorable. It was pointed out that
with the exceltion OF few isolated
buildings the entire air service out
lay was initiated during the war,
pushed to a hasty conclusion and.
designed to last from two to four
years. These accommodations have
now been in continual use for near
~ eight year, and while their main
tenance grows higher with each sue
ceeding year, the living conditions
become more and more unsatisfac-
tory. "a complete reconstruction
program is imperative and nothing
short Of immediate and general re-
lief can be relied upon to meet the
situation" says the report.
Commenting on the establishment
Of new flying fields, it was pointed
out that every effort had been
made both in planning new fields
and In the selection for retention, OF
certain ones among those which
were operated during the war to
develop q comprehensive airway
system both to stimulate CONNER
cial aviation and to fulfill the re-
Quirements OF national defense. 1t
has been impossible to achieve this
purpose, however, because OF the
reduced strength Of the Air Service,
the enforced concentration Of activi-
ties and the consequent lack Of
operating personnel for full COM
plement OF stations.
In this connection the report out
lines the plan for the development
OF a comprehensive system OF air.
ways covering the continental Him.
IFS of the United States.
Briefly stated, the plan contem-
plates an organized system of air.
ways equipped with adequate me-
neurological and radio stations en-
bracing terminal facilities for air
craft every 200 miles, routed when
possible SO as to keep the planes
within gliding distance Of substa-
tons at all times and provided with
markers for both day and night
flying.
The perfection of such a system,
1t is believed, would be the great
est contribution the Air Service
could make commercial aviation,
inasmuch as it would prevent the
majority Of aircraft accidents. most
of which are caused by forced land |
iags on rough ground.
Assuming the enactment Of suit
able legislation covering the legal
phases OF aircraft operation, there
would remain no other vital impedi.
snent to the rapid development of
aerial transportation facilities" in
the opinion of General Patrick.
And not alone to the commercial
endeavor would such system lend
its aid. The advantages of well-de.
fined routes of aerial travel have
already made themselves apparent
in the routine operation OF the Air
Service and would become increas.
ingly so in time of emergency with
the rapid concentration of air force
units as a vital concern Of national
defense
Men and Money Needed.
In regard to the problem of per-
sonnet it was declared that the
authorized strength Of the Air
Service. which consists of 1,061 Of
ficers and 1874 enlisted men, was
short of actual Requirements.
Nevertheless. according to the re-
port, the present strength OF the
service is even below this figure,
due to lack Of money for recruiting
and procurement programs.
AS result of these inadequacies,
1t was declared, the Air Service is
operating on a basis which does not
permit the fulfillment of its mis-.
sion and any further reduction
will result in greater deficiencies
and only q substantial increase can
enable it to meet the demands
placed upon it.
Furthermore. according to the
report, there has been an increase
in the number of Air Service units