Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-09

additional aircraft carriers and flying
dsck cruisers for the Navy. The Navy
will not ask for q new five-year pro-
gram, but will request, as q substitute,
the purchasing Of additional aircraft for
new cruisers and carriers as q part OF
the armament Of those vessels. This
plan, If adopted, will work out in much
the same fashion as regular program.
Cruisers and one carrier now under
construction will necessitate the addi-
ton of approximately 300 new airplanes
to the 1000 owned by the Navy upon
the conclusion Of its program on June
80 last.
The association also Ia on record as
favoring q continuation of the Navy
high-speed airplane development begun
on July l, when an appropriation of
100000 became available. The asso-
citation viii ask that Congress make
unaS svallable for the continuation of
this program rs they may be required
by the Navy.
Strong argument for the building up
of the Air Corps personnel and equip
ment to program strength is made by
Charles L. Lawrence. president Of the
Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce,
who attended the convention of the
National Aeronautic Association here
when the Air Corps matters were under
discussion.
The present Air Corps, though highly
efncient as an air arm, Lawrence said
IN an article written for United States
Air Services, is too small to defend the
Nation properly in time Of national
emergency. He explained that 1t is his
opinion that the Air Corps as at pres
eht constituted is inadequate to stave on
an enemy until the reserve strength Of
the country could be brought to bear.
Industries Key to Safety.
THE United States" Lawrence said.
has never been Q warlike Nation We
have never believed In maintaining
large armed forces in times Of peace,
strength, our wealth and manpower
and the rapidity with which many of
our large industries can be diverted
from peace-tine activities to the manu-
facture OF war materials. Consequently,
the status OF our key industries of
which the aircraft industry Is one. is
Of great importance TO our national de-
fense.
Those who are familiar with the
situation know that while commercial
aviation Is growing, it, expansion is
slow and costly, and that Il cur produc-
tion facilities were limited TO the
strictly commercial market. cur military
defenses would be deprived Of their
source Of supply. The aircraft industry
Is rs much dependent upon military
sales Is our military air services are
dependent on the aircraft industry for
their equipment. An aircraft industry
based wholly upon commercial demands
as they exist today would require from
six months to year before It would
become O tangible factor in engineer
ing, production and training In the
event OF major emergency.
Balancing the equipment to the per-
sonnet authorized by the nve-year pro-
gram is of vital Importance. Aside
from providing an air force adequate
for national defense, such D policy
would insure Q continuing program Of
aviation procurement, allowing the in
dustry TO plan It's production inteIii-
gently and to carry on tts research and
engineering work. Commercial avia-
ton has not advanced to the stage
where it can support the industry, and
definite assurance of Government aid
for number of years TO come Is essen
tial"
The program. Lawrence pointed out,
called for acquisition OF 1900 service
able aiIplanes by the end of the period
and authorized an increase in the Air
Corps personnel to 1850 officers, $50
Reserve officers on active duty for pc
RODS Of one and two years, and $4,000
enlisted men
Since approximately 1917 per cent Of
all Army planes are grounded at all
times for routine overhauls or repairs.
It would require total OF z,o6S planes,
the War Department estimates, TO keep
. force Of / 800 planes In serviceable
condition On March 81 last the Air
Corps had o total Of 1908 airplanes,
exclusive OF experimental and obsolete
models and craft awaiting condemna-
ton, Lawrence pointed out, Only a
portion of this number were fighting
planes. the total including training
planes, observation planes and cargo
planes unsuitable for combat opera
lions.
with regard to personnel the Air
Corps also is sadly in arrears. Lawrance
declared. The number OF oflcerS Is lar
below the required total and through
out the entire Air Corps" he explained.
Junior ofacers are assigned to post,
staff and technical duties with respon-
abilities far beyond their rank. due TO
lack Of oficers Of field grades"
The ratio of the number OF planes
to the number of pilots authorized by
the Air Corps is out of balance and the
preeent shortage of equipment has made
II even more pronounced Lawrance
continued. Even though Congress were
to appropriate funds for the purchase
OF 2,06e planes. the Air Corps still would
not have enough equipment for 2,20o
ofIicers, and thus could not throw its
full strength into battle. However, the
Of personnel would be no ar
gIment for reducing equipment, since
the additional equipment furnishes q
reserve which would be badly needed
before our factories could produce new
equipment.
The Air Corps needs It's full compile
ment OF officers and men aid it needs
more planes for them to fy."
Races Still Growing.
Each year It is customary to say of
the national air races, annual American
aviation classic, that they ARE bigger
and better than ever" Often 1t is true
Certainly this year It seems TO be true, II
th advance program is any criterion.
Forty-two closed course events, IL spe-
cial speed races, national sweepstakes
handicap derby. with separate divisions
for man and woman pilots. and q free
for-au mixed derby from the PACING
Coast 70 Cleveland are on the list. The