The Washington times., 1925-06-02

Secretary c. D. WaIcott, Of
National Aeronautic COM
mission, Explains Problem
BY FRED J.WALKER.

The "unstoppable" airplane en-
gine is the goal toward which
famous American engineers are
working, it was revealed today
by Charles d. Walcott, secretary
of the National Advisory Commit
tee on Aeronautics.
With weIl-financed commercial
air lines beginning to appear in
various sections of the country,
experts are united in declaring q
dependable motor, which can be
relied upon to carry a cargo with
out stallingg, is the main need of
the industry.
Expects Perfection Soon.
Commenting on the strides made
BY airplane manufacturers during
the twenty years since the Wright
brothers flew the first plane, Wal.
colt today asserted that depend
able engine would undoubtedly be
perfected in the next decade, as
suring the dawn of the "air age"
THE airplane has passed out of
the freak stage 1t is now recog-
nfzed as being the worlds hope for
speedy transportation. All 1t lacks
Is a perfected engine. The advis-
ory committee is bending all of its
energies now toward solving that
problem Walcott said.
THE war was the greatest aid
The airplane had received in its his
tory up to 1918." said Walcott.
"Eince the war ended progress III
design was noticeably halted. but
with the advent Of air mail and
on aeronautica1 lines viii speed up.
Air Lines Supported.
when the world wants something
It usually gets it if it is within rea-
SON. The automobile made amazing
strides because man needed 4
quicker form of transportation than
horse-drawn vehicles. The same is
true OF the airplane.
.The public has now become &C.
customed to it. It's wonders are
known to ALL Millions have patron
lzed American and European air
lines since the war and they are its
greatest supporters. The need for
Improvement is now so marked that
inventive genius will find way,
he said.
''StalIing engines are known to
be the cause of the majority OF ar
accidents. His motor falling, a pilot
Is forced to land wherever he can
and frequently smashes up in timber
and hilly country.
Depends on Engine.
when an engine is perfected
that will assure flight without in
terruption over stated distances,
airplanes viii become as common,
almost as some automobiles.
Walcott, although admittedly an
optimist on aircraft. said predic-
ton that aircraft would be flown
as commonly as automobiles are
driven today, was not warranted
by facts.
"If automatic stabilizers are per"
!ected, II landing speeds of around
twenty miles an hour are possible,
and il absolutely dependable moto =
are available. then 1t is possible
that our children may see small
planes as common as automobiles.
But all hinges today on perfect
ing the motors" he said.
walcott predicted that the air
plane world be pr ctically the only
medium for transporting freight
where speed was essential, such as
mail, jewelry. bank checks and
drafts and the thousand and one
light articles that make up the
bulk of modern first class mail and
express.
"Airplanes will carry practically
eli of such light articles; railroads
and auto buses will carry heavy
freight where speed is a requirement
and ocean liners will carry the
worlds slow, heavy traffic, +" Walcott
a "A