Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-06
Favor Bureau of
Civil AerOnautics
In Dept. of Commerce

Washington, Nov. O,-(AP)-
Creation of a bureau of civil aero
natutics in the Department of Com
merce with broad powers to regu-
late and promote all civil and COM
mercial flying in the United States
forms the central recommendation
of the committee on civil aviation
which was appointed by the depart
ment and the American Engineering
Council last June to make an ex-
haustive study of the question.
The, committee of which J. Wal
ter Drake, assistant secretary of
commerce is chairman, declares in
its report, made available for publi-
cation today, that the possibilities
which 1t sees for the development
of commercial aviation in the Unit
ed States can be realized only
through definite program of gov
eminent assistance for the industry.
The lack of this and of a definite
legal status of governmental control
for the industry it finds. are the chief
causes for its failure to keep up
with the development in Europe.
In addition to its function of regu-
lating air navigation, including lie
ensing of pilots and inspecting of
planes. the proposed bureau would
be authorized to develop. establish
or take over and maintain air routes
and air navigation facilities"
The provision of essential air navi-
cation facilities, such as properly
marked airways for both day and
night flying and emergency and ter
minal landing fields, the committee
holds to be a public responsibility"
Discussing conditions in the in
dustry, the report declared that not
withstanding past and present handi-
caps, the industry has survived and
made progress creditable under the
adverse conditions it has encounter
ed"
'There is no doubt" 1t added I'M
der really favorable conditions its
greatest possibilities would be real
lied"
The committee ascribed the gov
ernment's failure after the armistice
Ito formulate and put into operation
a continuing aviation policy" to the
fact that the % airplane plants in
the country in 1913, with a capital
investment of more than so 900
have now shrunk in number to IA
plants, representing capital of about
S4,0OO,000. While these IA plants
have an estimated annual capacity
of 1000 planes, even this rate of
production could not be attained in
an emergency, the report said, with
in' four to six months.
! Other recommendations of the
committee on the side of govern
ment aid were: That the government
extend it's use of aircraft in nom
military activities to all practicable
fields.
That Congress authorize "rea-
sonable" use of army, navy and air
mail fields for commercial aircraft.
That the post office department
transfer to private operation as
rapidly as possible all of it's air mail
services and turn over to the pro-
posed bureau of civil aeronautics it's
airway equipment.
That Congress authorize govern
ment purchase of special types of
civil aircraft, equipment designed
and constructed by private industry
under the joint direction of the
government departments concerned.
That present restrictions reauir-
ing competitive bidding for govern
ment purchase of aircraft be modi-
fled to permit Equitable compensa-
ton to the manufacturer for de-
sign and development" of aircraft.