Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-09-06
GLOBE FLIGHT MADE
To AWAKE: AMERICA
To AIRPLA|VE: NEEDS
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Especial Leased Wire to The Journal--Copy-
right 1920

right. 1920
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4.-What
is the purpose of the world-encir-
cling flight of the American avia-
tors? Is it simply a stunt to prove
the courage of the American flying
corps? Is it challenge to the avia-
ton personnel of other countries?
These questions no doubt have oc-
CURED to many people as they have
observed the progress of the trip
around the world and the careful
preparations made by the army and
navy to accomplish their objective
The answers are to be found in the
experience of aviation officials in
both the army and navy with con
gress. For nc matter what spectacI-
lar phases of the flight may be up
permost in the public mind today,
those interested in developing Amer
lean aviation as Il military weapon
as well as a commercial industry are
gratified beyond words at the
amount of attention the exploit has
attracted.
Hitherto congress has been more
or less Indifferent to the pleas for
extensive appropriations made by
the army and navy. 1t is true that
congress has granted appropriations
more Or less generously, reckoning
it from the congressional viewpoint,
which insists on cutting down the
army and navy anyhow. But avia-
ton officers have pointed in vain
to the large sums appropriated by
Great Britain and France for the
DEVELOPMENT of aviation. 1t has been
contended by army officers, for in
stance, that European countries
since the war have spent more
money on aviation than anything
else.
Congress Holds Back
In America the fact that a billion
was not ready when the armistice
was not ready ,Jhen tn earmistice
was signed has tended to discourage
congress in eXpending more money.
The aircraft devotees have had a
hard time of it since the war. They
hoped that the air mail service
would stir UP interest and make
courage commercial aviation. To
some extent results have been OBJ
tanned. Many aircraft concerns went
out of business with the war and
have not been missed because some
Of them never became efficient.
But unless the government kept on
buying "a certain number OF planes
annually there was no incentive Tor
private industry to keep on eXpe1-
menting or building. The industry
was in danger of absolute collapse.
1t is by no means at this time Whaf
army officers would like to see, but
they have hopes that the world flight
will put an emphasis on aviation
which will keep it before the eyes OF
the American people and congress
in particular.
Then there is another aspect Of
the world flight which will become /
subject of discussion when con-
gress reconVenes. The American aVI-
alton units have proved that with a
relatively small sum of money they
can accomplish great deal. The
whole trip round the world was a
minor expense as military items go.
Want e. S. to Lead
Given more money, they feel that
they can justify the appropriations
made, and that America should not |
only keep pace with the rest of |
the aircraft building countries, but |
should lead them.
When the Washington conference |
to limit armament was held there |
was no agreement on the construc- |
ton Of submarines or aircraft nor
on the size of standing armies. Bat |
tleships and other fighting craft |
were limited But since that time |
France and Great Britain have been |
engaging in an air competition which |
has started a good deal of war talk |
from time to time. From the view |
point of national defense, it now has |
been demonstrated that Il hostile ma |
ton can come across the ocean with |
and Zeppelins. Without /
doubt a program of defensive air |
craft will be an important part Of |
the military and naval expenditures |
of the United States from now on. |
The world flight has shown that the |
Atlantic and Pacific oceans no long |
err are inSurmountable barriers. and !
that isolation is not as comfortable !
as it was before the days of diriSibles |
4 r,s