Evening star., 1924-11-23

That comm ecial aviation has been
so little developed in the United
states Is a source Of chargrin to the
military and naval authorities, as
we'll as to the Department of Com
merce and other branches Of the Gov
ernment service and to the President.
To the end that more rapid progress
may be made the Navy Department
is willing to entertain proposals from
private companies for the purchase or
lease of the two giant dirigibles now
owned by the Government. One is
the famous ZR-3. which recently as
tonished the world by making a
successful flight from Germany to Lake
hurst, N. j., crossing the Atlantic
Ocean in half the time required by
the fastest ocean steamships. The
other Is the Shenandoah, the Navy
dirfgible, which crossed the continent.
The fact that the military branches
OF the Government have such an in
terest in the development Of COM
mercia1 aviation Is not due solely to
their desire to develop trade. It is
realized by the officers in charge Of
aeronautics In the War and Navy
Departments that the best backbone
which a fighting force can have is q
strong commercial air feet.
One important aspect Of the situ-
alton is that with no demand for
commercial aircraft, the number Of
manufacturing plants capable Of
turning out planes. and dirigibles is
few. In the event Of sudden need
for aircraft there would be no manu-
featuring industry which could be
quickly mobilized for production. But
II there were a steady demand for
commercial planes, such factories
would spring into existence and be
ready for an emergency.
Furthermore, II the country were
iss-crossed by airplanes many of
the planes and ships could, in time
of need, be speedily converted for
outright military purposes or at least
for transportation Of supplies in the
course Of mobilization
1t will be remembered that during
the last war the military authorities
were about as much interested in the
construction of merchant ships as of
war ships. Every merchant ship was
regarded as a source of strength to
both Army and Navy. The same
would be true and in perhaps a high
er degree In the case Of aircraft.
Plan Not Settled Yet.
The plan to lease or sell the two
great dfrigibles for trade purposes is
so far only In embryo. The Navy
Department has not definitely agreed
to let them go. but has said that 1t
would be glad to entertain proposals.
In all probability were the ships put
into private hands there would be
some provision in the contract to the
effect that in time of an emergency
they should be turned back to the
Government at its option.
The Shipping Board has chartered
many merchant vessels to private
parties with similar provision SO
there would be nothing unusual
about such procedure and no special
hardship on the private companies
undertaking to operate them.
Capital has been discouraged sc
far from going into the business OF
commercial aviation in this country
because IL was felt the art still was
In an experimental stage. Fear OF
loss. Of life and property, high initial
cosO ana rapid depreciation as well
az High operating costs and the lack
Of an adequate insurance system
have been deterrents. 1t was not
SO many years ago that no adequate
system Of marine insurance existed
and now that branch of the business
Is as we'll organized as any.
Lack of legislation on the licens-
ing of pilots has been mentioned as
a further retarding cause Of develop
nient. In fact, a whole new juris-
prudence OF air traffic probably will
have to be built up.
Nevertheless, 1t is felt that time
rapidly 10 approaching when Amer
ican business enterprise will con.
slider II is time to move. In Europe