The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-12-23
U.S.PLANES
OBSOLETE.
IS CHARGE
Navy Has Only 224 Avail
BILE Aircraft, Says
Wilbur
ADMIRAL MOFFETT
CITES WEAKNESSES
Nation, However, Leads
In Air Department, Say
Officials
HOUSE CONSIDERS
PROPOSED MERGER
Naval Planes Form Auxiliary
Unit, Moffett Tells Probe
Committee
HOUSE CONSIDERS
PROPOSED MERGER
fIaased Wire To Axe.Herald)

dNaSe0 W1ro 10 ASe.neTdiu)
WASHINGTON, Dec. %. - The
United States has fewer airplanes
than the other great powers, with
only 224 planes of the navy's ar
fleet in condition at the present
time If an emergency arose. This
country. however, is far ahead
of other nations in development
of aviation representing potential
power.
This, concretely, is the situation laid
before congress by Secretary of the
Navy Wilbur and Rear Admiral Moi
fett, chief of the bureau of aero
naudcs, who gave the facts Monday 70
the special committee Of the house
which is investigating aircraft Presi-
dent Coolidge has recommended fur-
Their development Of aviation to con-
xress, and these facts will lie used as
q guide when appropria tions are taken
up.
Planes Are Obsolete
Moffett disclosed that about 5OO OF
the navy's planes are now obsolete,
and are practically out of service, and
he said that the 224 which are in
shape will become out of date soon.
Both he and Secretary Wilbur urged
the need of additional money for air
planes, though Wilbur said 1t would
be possible to get along with present
appropriations.
One very insignificant indication OF
policy came from the testimony OF the
two officials Monday, both stating en-
phaticalIy that the air service OF the
navy is regarded as an auxiliary ana
Moffett opposing strenuously an uni
fication of the army and navy AIR
forces into an independent service.
Urges Consolidation
A certain element has been contend
ing that aviation has supplanted the
navy as the first line of defense. Brig
adler General William Mitchell, assis-
tant chief of the army air service, Is
spokesman of the group and chief ex-
ponent of the idea. He also has urged
consolidation of the country's air forces
into one service to carry out the
policy he fosters. The next war, he
contends, will be fought in the air.
Both Wilbur and Moffett secuted this
contention, the secretary explaining
that airplanes must have surface ships
from which to operate The air serv-
ice of the navy is regarded as an anx-
iliary, and always will be-. Will
bur said.
THE air Is merely a new arm. but
will not displace anything. Moffett
said.
1--WE don't feel that we are behind
other nations" Wilbur said in speak
ing of present conditions, except in
the number of planes. believe our
air service is better than that of other
nations as far as quality is concerned.
U. 8. Leads Development
Moffett said that other nations have
more planes and more pilots, but that
the United States is far ahead IN
development. Experimentation has gone
much further in this country, he said.
The United States, he pointed out,
is the only country which has devel-
oped airplanes for ship duty, to go
along with the fleet, and the catapult on
battleships, which hurls planes away
to a start from the deck, is the in
yention of Americans.
The navy has opened a field for
American invention, he explained, Civ
ing very careful attention to ideas sub
mitted, and encouraging new aids to
aviation.