Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-06
FOKKER AND YOUNG
:. STUDY SHIP WINGS
Planes Out of Passenger Use
Only Until Tests Are Made,
Officials Explain.

Anthony H. G. Fokker and his engi-
neers resumed their conferences to-
day with Clarence M. Young Assistant
Secretary of Commerce for Ae nautics
and engineers of the ael nautics
branch of the department in an eff
fort to work out methods for aspect
ing the interior structure of the wings
of 35 Fokker tri-motcred transports of
the 1929 series ordered grounded" for
passenger purposes by the department
The department made clear that the
planes have not been condemned and
that they have been banned for pas
senger carrying only until some salts
factory method can be worked out for
inspecting the interior construction OF
the wings to determine whether there
has been dangerous deterioration in
two years of use.
The Fokker wings are of atwood
construction and are covered with ply
wood This makes it impossible to see
the interior of the wing without break
ing the plywood wing surface, 1t was
explained. The department wants to
make certain the wooden spars and ribs
inside are in good condition before the
planes are permitted to go back in pas
senger service. The conferences now
a plan for making these inspections to
the satisfaction of the department
without wrecking the wings.
Planes Used for Mails.
Both Mr.. Fokker and Mr.. Young OK
pressed the hope today that the prob
lens would be solved to the satisfac-
ton of all concerned within a short
time.
Some of the 35 planes affected by the
order we're being flown today in mail
and express service. but they have
been replaced by other planes for pas
senger service on the four lines owning
the IS two-year-old Fokkers.
Transcontinental g. Western Air
through It's president. Harris NJ. Han
shue, announced here today that the
schedules of that line have not been
interfered with in any way. though the
company, learning In advance last Sat
urday of the departments ruling. volun-
tarily withdrew its 1929 Fokkers from
passenger service.
Fokker Is Defiant.
Fokker last night issued his first
statement since the action of the de-
partment on Monday, declaring the
United States will not see airplanes
blown from the sky merely by the error
would not say whether this referred to
the Kansas crash in which Knute K.
Rockne, Notre Dame foot ball coach,
and seven others were killed.
II am battling for my reputation"
Fokker said. "At present am occupied
with only another battle for our prod
ucts Our company will still maintain
its leading position in the industry.
THE Army Air Corps ordered the first
series of my Jwo-engined flying wing
observation planes designed in cornpeti-
ton with the domestic industry. They
also recently ordered 20 airplanes Of
commercial type to be adapted as light
Army transport and ambulance planes
after testing every type of competitive
planes in that class.
Works on New Designs.
"The Coast Guard has placed an
order for a number Of flying patrol
boats based on special features which
no other competitive design could dup
licate.
THE Fokker Aircraft Corporation is
working on newer and more economic
commercial airplanes of baSically new
design. 1 also have definite plans for
a new type of Army fighting equipment
which will change present methods Of
air combat This development is watt
ing only the completion of our present
commercial and military program.
I'VE are going to stay in the air.
New designs for airplanes may be ex-
pected soon and they will, as always,
make the old designs obsolete. The
Fokker Co. cannot be blamed for fail
ure of some one transport operator to
provide proper upkeep for his planes"