Evening star., 1925-09-21

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are a vital element in its defense or
ganization. Hence the creation of an
extensive air transportation system
forms an integral part Of any ma
tional defense policy. Furthermore,
the development of a self-supporting
aeronautical industry offers far-reach-
ing advantages. Because Of it's essen
TALLY mobile character, 1t is more
directly adaptable to military pur-
poses than most industries. 1t will
provide a reserve Of both flying and
ground personnel for rapid develop
ment, in an emergency, of the neces-
sary military aviation. AS CONNER
cial aviation develops into a self-sup-
porting industry, 1t will simplify the
problem of defense"
"The success Of commercial aviation
depends primarily upon four factors:
provision of technical equipment
and methods suitable for profitable
commercial operation. Provision Of
interest and support. Enactment OF
uniform and helpful legislation.
1.-The Air Service, within its appro-
priations and authority, has done, and
is doing, all that it properly can do
under each of the four factors out
lined above.
1T has developed aircraft, naviga-
ton instruments, airway maps and
other technical aids Of great value to
commercial aviation operators. and It
has made important contributions to
the solution of technical problems
arising in the operation of the Post
Office Air Mall Service, notably in
connection with the development Of
night flying.
ut has promoted the creation Of
municipal fields, published bulletins
listing existing landing fields. created
airdromes for commercial use and en-
couraged the creation of a national
airway system throughout the United
States.
1T has increasingly availed itself of
every proper means to enlist public
interest in and support Of CONNER
cial aviation. by exhibits. addresses,
articles, races and otherwise.
1T has urged the enactment Of help
full legislation and has co-operated
with other government departments
and with Congress in preparing such
legislation
Aid for Aviation.
"I believe" he continued, that
there are two fundamental principles
for a national policy which will most
effectively promote the early estab-
lishment Of a self-supporting aero
nautical Industry:
I'D Indirect Government aid to
commercial aviation by the de-
velopment Of technical equipment
and methods suitable for q COM
mercial air transportation by the
establishment OF the necessary
ground facilities along the princi-
pal traffic lanes Of the country, and
by contracting for the carriage Of
air mail, will prove more econom-
ical and permanently effective than
any form of direct subsidy
'(2) The placing of the admins
tration Of purely civil aviation un-
der a military department is an
economically unsound practice and
is basically unwise. Military and
civil aviation should cooperate
closely but should be administered
separately.
These principles have been deter
mined by an intensive study of the ac-
cumulated experience in the develop
ment and administration of civil avi-
alton in all the important countries Of
the world.
I'm the relation to airplane manu-
facture. the War Department is con-
that a strong airplane indus
try is vital to the national defense.
The industry has been starving to
death since the war. due to the fact
that 1t has been dependent solely on
orders. but I believe that
a much brighter prospect exists at
The War Department has
done and will do everything in its
power to assist the aircraft industry
Should Pay Profit.
I'VE must have a sufficient num-
per Of qualified manufacturers of air
craft to design and build planes of
he latest type in sufficient quantities
IN case we are forced into war. Due
to rapid developments, aircraft can
not yet be standardized and the unit
cost is necessarily high. The Gov
should pay a price which
will enable manufacturers to make
a fair and reasonable profit. Until
the industry Is established. I believe
that the restrictions governing the
method of governmental purchasing
might well be relaxed temporarily
under proper safeguards.
AS Assistant Secretary Of War,
charged with the supervision of pro-
1 have conferred frequently
with the chief OF air service and with
of manufacturers, and
the following general policies for as
sisting the aviation industry have
been adopted by the War Department.:
l. The Government shall encourage
and promote the design and manufac-
ture. by other than Government
agencies. of aircraft. aircraft engines
and equipment. The Government shall
not engage in such work in competi-
tion with the aeronautical industry.
2. The Government shall recognize
and sustain the principle of proprie-
tary design rights applied to all aero
nautical material
8. The Government will not pur-
chase or acquire the design rights for
aircraft engines or acces-
sories when those are the products of
manufacturers.
4. The Government will not Dur.