Evening star., 1930-12-07

With mechanical development OF air
craft going forward in the United States
with gratifying speed, authorities are
turning an increased amount of atten-
ton to regulatory questions and the
matters OF law involved. The old ques-
tionS Of States rights arises anew in
connection with this matter. Because Of
the great speed at which Airplanes
travel, speed far greater than that ever
achieved by common carriers before, a
conflict between the authority of the
Federal Government and that of State
governments Is more likely than was In
the case of rail, motor and water trans
portation.
Flights average longer distances and
planes carrying passengers and freight
whisk across State lines with incredible
speed. Whereas. the traveller on the
ground proceeds with a certain degree
Of deliberation and an ever-present abil-
ity to stop, the winging plane may ny
through two or three jurisdictions with
out reaching a suitable landing field.
In q degree never before reached,
airplane travel constitutes interstate
commerce. A railroad train travelling
from New York TO Boston or q motor
bus on the same route may observe
certain speed limits and more or less
local requirements with comparative
ease Going from New York TO wash
ington, the traveller encounters the regu-
lations OF six local jurisdictions: New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Della
lumbiA. The ground carrier can stop
anywhere along the line. The plane
makes the dash without o stop, In two
hours or less. The plane must maintain
certain minimum speed to remain In
the air. It cannot stop when Tagged
without inviting disaster. This flight
over six jurisdictions ID interstate COM
merce indeed.
1t is recognized that, in the develop
ment Of q new industry, constructive
growth or retardation can be produced
by wise or unwise legislation. The ques.
ton arises: Whose legislation?
That whatever scheme Of regulation
as finally worked out, must be a com.
prehensive one covering the entire terri.
tory Of the United States seems to b
innate In the problem. In the days o.
the Coneetoga wagon months were re.
quired 70 cross the continent. Tit
fastest express trains now consume
f1ve days. It u indicated that coon thI
country viii Be regularly crossed oas
and west in IL hours and north arl(
south in 0 hours. Weeks Of former
travel now are measured in hour
and days In minutes. With nationa
distances measured in hours and stat,
distances in minutes, the problem o
regulation takes on q new aspect.
Numerous Regulations Are Confusing
While at least 40 States have en-
acted laws providing that no one ma!
| fly over their territory excepting holder
Of Federal licenses, nor even operat
within the State, seven States requir
only State licenses and six States hAv
not acted on the question at all--tha
Is, any one, regardless Of his skill or tn
airworthiress OF his plane, may A.
within or over their domains.
The several States Of the American
Union are noted for enacting laws an,
setting UP regulatory requirement
which differ from each other. Rail
roads find themselves governed, 80 fa
as trafflc within q State Is concerned
by laws differing from the Federal &C
10 regulate commerce. Every motoris
Is aware Of the multiplicity of reglilA