Evening star., 1927-11-20
BY REX COLLIER.


w yHEN the 1928 season for
n transoceanic, roun d-the-
NN world or other sensational
flights opens next Sum-
mer, the youthful dare.
devils of the air will find Uncle Sam
standing by, ready to lend a helping
hand, but determined, withal. TO offer
a firm word of caution against fool
hardness"
Government control Of such flights
appears to be out of the question. un-
less congress should see fit at the
coming session to enact specific legtS-
lation along these lines.
Secretary Hoover, whose depart
ment has supervision OF civil aviation,
Is strongly opposed to Federal regula-
tion Of transoceanic flights. He be-
lieves such authority would tend to
stif1e aeronautical progress; that 1t
would bind up in governmental red
tape the dauntless spirit of adventure
and pioneering effort that marks
American manhood and that has given
us Byrd. Lindbergh and the others.
Government Aid Urged.
Secretary Hoover and the Assistant
Secretary of Commerce for Aeronau-
tics, William P. MacCracken, are of
the opinion that, rather than discour-
age air pioneering, the Government
should do everything within it's power
to further new achievements in the
air.
A definite step in pursuance of this
policy was taken by Mr.. MacCracken
the past week. when he took advan-
tage of the presence in Washington
of the coterie Of air heroes assembled
fAx I'LL
held a conference with them in his
office regarding weather forecasts for
transoceanic flyers. Government
weather experts, who Joined in the
forum. listened to the problems of the
aviators and received numerous valu.
able suggestions. growing out of the
experience gained in the overseas fly
ing epidemic of last Summer.
Out of this meteorological confer
ence Is expected to come thorough
ly organized system of weather fore
casting designed to meet the special
needs Of those who would wing new
air paths across the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans.
1928 Activity Foreseen.
That new attempts to span these
oceans by air will be made during
1928 is foregone conclusion. Mr..
MacCracken found this out during his
talks with the survivors of the 1927
season. He knew it already, as a
matter Of fact, just as President
Coolidge knew 1t when he said. in
presenting the Hrssssscl medal to
Col. Lindbergh:
Because of what he Gindbergh)
has said and done we are told aero.
nautic plans for 1928 indicate an ac'
tivity far beyond any dreams Of six
months ago."
Government officials realize that
even though it were advisable for
Uncle Sam to step forward and curb
promiscuous transoceanic flying, ii
would be an almost hopeless task. The
indomitable urge of youth to fare
forth in quest of new aerial conquests
cannot easily be throttled.
1t is better. they agree. to take an
active part in insuring the success OF
all such flights by volunteering the
| wholehearted aid of it's weather ex.
perts and other available specialists
so that the risks may be lessened for
| those who dare to tempt King Nep
| tune.
Reserve Warning Rights.
Authorities reserve the right. how
ever. to sound a potent word of warn
| ing with regard to hazardous flights
over the ocean.
Secretary Hoover and his aeronau
tical assistants do not hesitate to eX
press their disapproval of 'foolhardy'
projects. They recommend the closest
supervision of all hazardous flights by
some responsible agency, such as
the National Aeronautic Association