Evening star., 1924-12-08
ADEQUATE AVIATION
! NUCLEUS IS URGED
National Advisory Committee
Says Lack in Aircraft
Industry Is Grave.
By tn. Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Lack of an adequate aircraft in
dustry Is a matter of grave concern
10 the Government, in the judgment
of the national advisory committee
for aeronautics, as expressed in Its
annual report transmitted to Con-
gress today by President Coolidge.
AN aircraft industry is absolutely
essential TO national defense" the
report declared. "One lesson OF the
war that will not be forgotten is that
it takes a great deal of money to de-
velop hastily an aircraft industry al
most from nothing. The American
people can i'll afford to pay that price
a second time
The Government is concerned that
there should be at least "an adequate
nucleus" capable of rapid expansion
to meet war needs, the report con-
tinued. To that end 1t recommended
steps to remedy substantially "the
existing bad condition. but declared
that proposals either to increase the
volume of Government orders for air.
craft or to allot such orders without
regard to competitive bidding would
not meet the necessity.
Suggest Four Moves.
The committee suggested four moves
to produce the necessary types of air.
craft at reduced cost and also assure
manufacturers Of adequate peace time
markets. The steps to be taken by the
aircraft builders were to readjust plants
to a peace-time basis Immediately and
for specialization in particular types Of
ships with view to gradual recog-
milton of proprietary rights In new
designs" Those suggested for the
Government were to fix a balanced
production program for the Army,
Navy and Post Office, with needs and
types made known a year in advance.
and to place orders for different
types ''at such intervals as to insure
continuity of production and the
gradual development Of special facil-
tiles and skill by each manufacturer
in the production of given type OF
aircraft"
Air Mail Service.
While the air mail service, par
ticulsrly with its present efforts to-
ward night flying, was classed as
the most important development in
aviation today" so far as stimulating
development OF commercial aviation
goes, the report pointed out that the
chief reason for faster commercial
flying progress in Europe was a mill
tary considerations.
They realize more keenly than we
do in America the vital necessity of
aviation to national defense" the
committee said, adding that COM
raercial aviation had been en-
ceuraged overseas 'in a very practi-
cal way, principally by subsidizing
common carriers by air"
I'm the United States" IL was
added, direct subsidy appears to be
ont. of the question because OF our
adherence to a traditional policy.
In our country aviation must make
its own way"
Need of Safety.
While speed and maneuverability
might be prime military factors for
aircraft, civil aviation required more
IN the way of safety in operation
and low cost of equipment and main
tenance, the report said. The point
where these economic factors with
aircraft justified general use of air
routes had not been reached in the
United States, 1t added.
As general recommendations the
board suggested:
The continuous prosecution of
scientific research work.
Continuation of the air mail serv-
ice under the Post ONCE Department
with the ground equipped for night
flying from New York to San
Francisco.
Steps to increase the reliability
and economy OF operation of COM
nieroial aircraft, with reasonable
regulation of fiiers and flying fields
and necessary aids to navigation
along designated national airways.
Continued study OF the air defense
problem and continued support Of
aviation development in the Army
and Navy.
In transmitting the report Presi-
dent Coolidge ooncurred In the gem
erai recommendations and agreed
that in the last analysis substantial
progress In aviation Is dependent
upon the continuous prosecution OF
scientific research"
Through the work OF this COM
niittee," he said, the talent Of
America has been marshalled in the
scientific study OF the problems of
flight, with the result that today
America occupies q position In the
forefront of progressive nations in
the technical development Of aero
nautics."
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