The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-08-05
America in the Air
New York Tin,es)

1t is four years since the Fords began to take
active interest in commercial aviation. Last year
they set up an an transport to carry automobile
parts between Detroit and Chicago. They expert
mented with al-metal planes. At Dearborn they
established air port and provided facilities for
all kinds of aircraft. 1t was announced that ulti-
matey they would put light planes upon the mar
ket at a moderate price, Both Henry and Edsel
Ford declared their faith in the airship as medium
Of commercial transportation, but it was the young
or man who took the lead. Development Of stand
ard cheap type of automobile had been tho life work
Of the elder The enthusiasm and energy Of youth
were required to bring airplancs to the same stage
of usefulness. Capital almost without limit could
be provided, and it was evident that the Fords as
manufacturers of equipment for the air would have
to be reckoned with. @ 8.#
In its tenth annual report the National Advisory
Committee for Acronautics pointed cut that "the
present American aircraft industry is but a shadow
Of that which existed at the time of the armstice
An aircraft industry, the country was reminded, lis
absolutely essential to national defense" A nu-
cleus would have to be maintained. and the commit
tee recommended that 1.-THE firms comprising the
industry should specialize in the product Of various
types of aircraft" It was urged that the military
services and the postoice Distribute their orders to
insure continuity of production. Congressional leg
isaton for the regulation Of aircraft, lrdtoes and
avators would be necessary and the government
would have to aid commercial aviation by putting
the facilities Of army and navy fields at the disposal
Of civilian filters. Il was only the other day that
Representative Reid Of Illinois made this statement
Here we are with no commercial flying
except the air mail and with fragment Of
an aircraft industry, vet confronted.with the
certainty that air transport In time Of peace
and air power in time Of war are the great
potential factors in our life in the near fu-
ture
The plans Of any manufacturer are therefore Of
Importance If he has the capital 70 carry them out
Edsel Ford tells President Coolidge That his firm
is experimenting with l-meta three -sngine MONO
planes. The cost Of one Is now $4,000, abus after
the first 100 machines are manufactured we hope
to be able to reduce that cost IS percent. and the
unit cost will Be greatly teddeed Is produethn il
further increased" It is sxpectedi that ltimatel,
planes will be produesd 20 cheardy' rs to1niake ali
service profitable without government lid" Fur
thsrnofe, I'VE hope" .ssys EdssfgFsyd, VITO put .
machine in the air that win - :conttaratively
cheap rs our pleasure cars Csmlnk l1rum such
source. ths seems line N assuran6E Hpwever, Ed
~ Ford has his feet onst ground when compari
sscn " surface with 1ir txaist ti6n is made. Be
evine that tie Airpane tant s. developed to carr,
aeavy lSada he sthlks that the railroads will hol,
AAsir Swh. "tlyikg win only supplement
tAsht f6r quick atd err nips." The Ford
40 pfaltiell aAen. Ne but til
~, MT Loss ely5s iA Ar1Sla6 ~ ~
taxi u prSn5fi6 eolhalsreisl aettISh with thsi
Anornaous resossess. the United Ststes seems 70 b
in fair way to take the lead in tho air.