The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-05-26

hour coast-to-coast commercial schedule.
 "The army continued it's great pio- neer work by developing the radio beacon and later the earth inductor compass. Without thcse, present fly ing accomplishments would be inn possible.
 Time does not permit me to des- cribe the achievements of the Army Air Corps in the development of aerial photography and score of other contributions to the value and practicality of flying but the sum to- tai of its laboratory research and test flying has made possible the tre- mendous expansion of commercial aviation during the last decade.
 Few of us realize with what tre- mendous strides American commer- cial aviation has forged ahead in the last few years. We hear much of the hard times in the aviation industry of how the widespread industrial depression has dashed the hopes of those who are engaged in making and selling commercial aircraft as we'll as those who operate passenger and mail lines. It is, of course, true, that the aviation industry, as well as all other industries, has. felt the ef- fects of present world conditions. Yet the fact remains that commer- cial aviation in the United States has forged steadily ahead. As the Boston Transcript (and I could quote no more conservative an authority) has pointed out in an editorial, 1858 paid passengers arrived and depart ed from London's huge airport at Croydon during one month. In the same month, 1850 arrived at or de- parted from Le Bourget, the Paris airport. 3,136 came in and out of the Chicago airport. While Temple hof, Berlin. was host to 65S, Boston was host to ITO, although Berlin's population of 4,O00,000 Is twice that of Boston. These are figures year or so old, but I quoted the Tran script so that you would know l was not exaggerating. In the mean time the air traffic through these American cities has just about doubled.
 Last year, airplanes carried over 9 million pounds of mail, over mill lion pounds of express and over 400.- 900 commercial passengers.
 These performances by conner cial aircraft have, of course. tre- mendous military significance. Air planes that can carry thousands Of paid passengers can carry thousands of troops in an emergency. Planes that carry tons of air express can carry tons of military supplies.
 Sixty industries that are now contributing to the development of American aviation and exporting aircraft and parts valued at millions of dollars to 3S different countries, could produce planes and parts ra- pidly and in great quantities for the government, if major emergency confronted us.
 The 10000 licensed pilots now op- erating ir the United States could be called upon to perform patriotic service in time of war, and the 38 flying schools approved by the De- partment of Commerce could do a great work in turning out thousands of additional qualified flyers. In ad- dition to these schools aeronautical training is given in seventy-f1ve of our universities and colleges.
 Time does not permit me to describe further the extent of cur aerial development. Most of you are familiar with many of its phases. But I wish to express the hope that you will continue to encourage and support the further expansion of our military, naval and commercial avia- ton. I vision the time as not far dis tant when every city and town will insist on having adequate aviation facilities. Such service will be in the country's interest"