Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-22
GROUP PROPOSES
AERO DEPARTMENT
Hoover and Smith Asked
Views on Plan for New
Cabinet Post.

the american society LOT FTOHOIIou
of Aviation has sent letters to Herbert
Hoover and Gov. Alfred E. Smith ask
ing both candidates for the presidency
to make public their attitude with re-
gard to the creation of separate de-
partment for aeronautics, with secre-
tary of air in the Presidents cabinet.
An informal canvass of the directors
of the society shows majority in favor
of the appointment of former Brig.
Gen. William Mitchell as head of mill
tarv aeronautics in the proposed de-
partment and of Col. Charles A. Lind
berch as leader of the civilian division,
according to Thomas l.. Hill, president
of the society, who signed the letters.
In the letters to the candidates Mr..
Hill states that at the opening of the
coming session of Congress the society
will campaign for the establishment OF
the proposed department, in which all
aeronautical activities Of the Federal
Government will be co-ordinated.
Backed Mitchell in 1925.
The society. he said, not only sup
ported Mitchell in 1925 in his advocacy
of a unified air service. but at that
time stated that unification of the
Army and Navy air services would be
a short step toward unification of all
air activities. which would operate to
insure Americas air supremacy through
the efficiency and cooperation of ali
forms of aircraft as war measure
and through the building up of the
aircraft industry by establishing land
ing fields, organizing flying clubs and
developing commercial aviation"
Since its organization in 1926" Mr..
Hill wrote, the American Society for
Promotion of Aviation has supported
aviation as our strongest arm of ma
tional defense.
When you consider that the United
States Government spends close to
$l,000,0 100000 a year TO support the
Army and Navy as they now exist and
approximately $50,000,000 year upon
the air services of these two branches,
it readily becomes apparent that the
plan of eXpending money for our ma
tional defense must be radically changed
so as to place aviation upon an equal
basis with the Army and Navy in the
matter of appropriations.
I'm as much as the greatest military
experts admit the superiority of air.
craft over surface ships, it is reason
able to suppose that the expenditures
now being made upon building ships,
navy yards and coast Notifications must
be directed to the building of landing
fields in every community and to the
purchase of airplaneS for training and
military purposes.
Would Aid Civilians.
1--WE have further advocated the ap-
preparation by Congress of $40,000,000
(tl1e price of battleship), which will
serve to provide, gratis, airplanes to
civilian flying clubs of so members each,
organized throughout the country in
conjunction with the American Society
for Promotion of Aviation or other ac-
credited bodies The Dominion of
Canada has adopted this plan and not
only gives an airplane free to clubs Of
SO members, but when pilot is trained,
gives to the club 500 for its work in
training the flyer.
1--WE present our idea for a Secretary
of Air and for the giving of airplanes
free to flying clubs to the American
public for their consideration, pointing
out to them that this work will quickly
develop the greatest national defense
that this or any country may possess.
All we have outlined can be accom-
plished at a very small fraction OF the
tremendous amount which is now being
paid by the Government under existing
conditions.
Both candidates for the presidency
have touched upon their intention to
give adequate support to naval develop
ment. The writer at this time asks that
you publicly state what your attitude
will be in regard to our effort as out
lined above, if you are elected to the
presidency of the United States.
I'VE believe that consideration of our
aeronautical development, especially
when viewed in relation to our national
defense, is one of the vital subjects
that demand the most earnest con-
sideration of both candidates. We offer
this as an open letter to both the
Democratic and Republican candidates"