The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-06-27
WHY ME RACE no BUILD WAR PLANES;

men IlghL IN the same trench, UNI
dergo the same hardships, are to-
gether for long periods of time and
are subjected to about the same in
fluences. Aviation makes possible
different experiences for every pilot
who while actually fighting is not
in a position to exchange an opinion
with a fellow pilot in another plane.
And where there is no discussion
there can be no organization or
united action.
AT best limited number of pilots
may as individuals act in sympathy
with mutinous forces below and even
this they can only do when there
are no loyal" planes about. Even
if an attempt was made to organize
military aviators for mutinous action
before they take to the air, that too
would be most difficult since that
branch of service, more than any
other would be thickly sprinkled with
'loyalists" who would make known
to the authorities such an attempt.
Quick Aid To Empire.
The fourth advantage in the de-
velopment of aviation lies in the con-
sideration that capitalism can send
one hundred planes to India, China,
Mexico, or Nicaragua to subdue a
rising of the natives without much
notice from the working class or the
anti-imperialist element at home.
Outside of the effectiveness that one
hundred planes can have upon a
hastily recruited and ill-equipped
army, those planes can sneak out of
the country unnoticed, while on the
other hand if military force of any
other branch of service capable of
doing the same damage are to be dis
patched, the fact would not escape
the notice of governmental opponents.
European capitalism was and is
prompted by the above considerations
to stimulate aviation building, but
fearing American competition and in
reference much of its military avia-
tion was, and is being developed I'M
der the guise of civil aviation. The
civil planes, however, are of type
easily and readily convertible for
military usage. 1t would be well to
remark here that the indications are
that the same course will be pursued
here in the United States to mislead
the American people, much of the
military aviation will be built under
cover of commercial aviation.
U. S. Rulers Take Part.
American capitalism has been fear
ingly mindful of the development of
aviation in Europe and has on several
occasions in the past tried to so
dramatic the need of aviation ex-
tension, as to pave the road for stag
gering expenditures Of public moneys
for aviation building. Without risk
ing at election periods the charge of
squandering public funds, while at the
same time trying to keep Coolidge in
office who shouts Economy" The
Shenandoah flight was an effort at
propagating the American people in
this direction. But a disaster befell
that ship and the propaganda tour
ended abruptly.
To Raise Enthusiasm.
Again an effort was made to en-
thuse the American people for avia-
tion extension around the personality
of Colonel Mitchell. But Mitchell
could not be raised to a pedestal of a
desirable height from which he
could speak most effectively for avia-
ton, because at the time the light Of
publicity was focused upon him, he
was appearing in the dual role Of an
aviation expounding hero, as we'll as
an insubordinate to his superior Off
GERS. 1t was bad business for the
army and naval discipline to elevate
Mitchell too highly even though his
propaganda for aviation would have
been more effective. But now the
Lindbergh flight offers American
Imperialism an opportunity long
sought. We may reasonably predict
that the popularity which is being
built up for Lindbergh viii be util-
lied to the tenth degree in the in
terest Of Jingoism.
II is not well for those who under
stand the purposes Of Imperialism and
its use of Lindbergh to view the lat
ter thru sentimental eye. AS prac-
teal people we must understand the
militarizing influence in Lindbergh
and though it win not be the most
popular or easy thing to unmask him,
we must undertake to make clear to
the workers that Lindbergh is an
enemy, whether consciously or not
does mt ,aaffar