Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-15


commendable training progress,
James E. Fechet, chief of the Air
will make before his retirement
demonstrated when they participa
last May, setting a new world re
In his report, Gen. Fechet gives voice
to plans which long have been discussed
by ranking Air Corps ef1cers for in
trusting a greater share of national de-
tense responsibility to National Guard
pilots. It Is believed, he says, that the
time has arrived to give serious con-
sideration to the feasibility Of convert
ing some Of the observation squadrons
Of the National Guard to Air Force
units" This mems the development OF
pursuit attack and bombardment avi-
alton In the National Guard.
Combat Units Needed.
"All present National Guard units
Gen. Fechet explained, "are organized
as observation squadrons. 1t is be-
neved that in event of an emergency
there will be a greater need Of and less
time to train ard equip Air Force units
than Observation units. Air Force
units can be developed and trained
under National Guard methods Of
training, whereas this is not practicable
under Air Corps Organized Reserve
training methods.
THE efficient training of Air Force
units requires system of regular and
continuous unit flying training. This
Is necessary to develop coordination
and team work, which are absolutely
indispensable in the successful oper-
atoms of Air Force units Such a
scheme Of training. or scheme any
where approximating 1t, is impossible
under present appropriations available
for equipment, personnel and flying
hours for Air Corps Reserves"
War Department appro priations as
they now stand after slashes by the
White House and the Budget Bureau,
It Is understood, provide funds which
viii permit rated Air Corps Reserve
Of flying apiece during the coming year.
So inadequate Is that amour, it Is
held, that the effectiveness of Reserve
pilots for immediate combat service
Is utterly destroyed and they cannot
be counted upon for combat service
without rerresher training.
The burden Of responsibility, there
fore. may have to be shifted to National
Guard pilots, not so seriously crippled
training for combat service on a mo-
ment's notice becomes q necessity to
national defense.
1TdHSpOEt zap OIVccUs
The final gap in the circle of United
States air lines around South America
has been closed by the establishment of
passenger, mail and express service
down the Atlantic Coast from Rio de
Janiero, Brazil, to Buenos Aires, Ar
gentina. This completes the connection
OF every country IN Central and South
America except Paraguay and Bolivia
by United States foreign afr transport
lines.
The new extension, inaugurated this
month by Pan-American Anyways, COM
pletes the goal toward which this sys.
tenn and the United States Post once
Department have been striving for folu
years. Direct service Is provided dowr
the entire 7,500-mile trade route be-
tween the United States and the thriv'
ing commercial areas Of Brazil, Uru
quay and the Argentine.
In establishing the new line, which
a said TO be the longest over-watei
route In the world, Pan-American Ia,
assembled the largest feet Of CONNER.
two weeks from the fastest existing
travel time between the United State:
and Buenos Aires.
From Miami the route extends
through the islands Of the West Indies
crosses the Equator at the Amazon
River and parallels the South Atlantic
coast line to the great seaboard citie'
Of the South American east coast.
Pan-American started its system foul
years ago with. . 9O-mile line between
Havana and Key West. Today the sys
TEN has in regular operation network
of 1880 miles Of Always linking thu
United States and every country bu
two in the Western Hemisphere. II
addition to its lines south of Miami
Pan-American now operates a coasta
run between the United States ant
Canada.
The advances of American aviation
into the South American East Coas
area Ii regarded as Of particular inpor
lance in that 1t represents and invasion
of South Americas ytrade route ant
the waging of the first real competition
against the firmly entrenched Frencl
and German East Coast air transpor
organizations.
Center Of Trade.
Between Southern Brazil and Bueno
Aires nearly two-thirds Of all Soutl
Americas $4,000 900 world trade ha
been concentrated. European airline
have been firmly established there, pro
viding faster service to Europe thai
was possible between that area and tn
United States.
In the past four years the subsidies
Condor Syndicate, affiliated with tn
Deutsche Luft Hansa of Germany Ia
held aerial sway in the codee-producin
country of Brazil, while the powerful
French Aeropostale lines have n1onopo
li1ed air service between Rio de Janeir
and Buenos Aires.
Final extension of the United State
system into this highly competitive ter
ritory has created situation which WI
be watched with keen interest In man
parts of the world. Opening of tn
service by Pan American, however, con
stitutes only a part of the battle 70
aerial domination of this importan
region. Both the German and Frenc
lines today are operating with far great
er frequency than the newcomer an
will continue to maintain domination
until the American schedules can b
Increased. This probably will requir
assistance by the Post once Depart
Ment
AS o step toward gaining business
Pan-Amertcan Is going into the are
with very low passenger and expires
rates over the East Coast routes. TIL
rates are about one-third higher tina
frSt-claSs steamer accommodation!
Daytime flying only is planned at pres
ent. Luncheons will be served in fiigh
and passengers will remain at hotel
overnight.
Large Planes Provided.
Twenty-four- passenger flying boats al
used and stops are made in ID coun
tries and colonies between Miami an
Buenos Aires. Airmail service betwee
the two terminals averages less tina
nine days. The Post Once Departmer
has set the airmail rate at IS cents pc
half ounce to Argentine AID Urugua
and so cents half ounce TO Brazil.
Pan-American now has what is sal
10 be the largest air transport Systei
In the world. It's trunk lines run frol
Brownsville, Tex, and Miami and the