Evening star., 1932-08-18
FOULO|S APPEALS
FOR MAINTAINING
STRONG AIR FORCE
Tells AeronautiCaI Conven-
ton Planes Are Nations
First Line of Defense.
BINGHAM ALSO URGES
BIG RESERVE OF PILOTS
Senator Seeks Unorganized Unit
of 100000 Trained Flyers
to Protect Country.

j.
Foulois, chief of the Army Air Corps,
today voiced an urgent plea for main
tanning the aerial defense of the country
at the opening session of the eleventh
annual convention of the National
Aeronautical Association at the May
flower Hotel.
Gen. Foulois' plea for support of the
aerial defenses was vigorously repeated
a little later in the program by Senator
Hiram Bingham of Connecticut, presi-
dent of the association. In his annual
report. Senator Bingham urged the
creation of a reserve Of 100000 pilots
trained in the rudiments of flying.
Gen. Foulois pointed cut that the
policy of the Army Air Corps is not
hostile to any nation, but is intended to
provide adequate defense in case OF
national emergency.
Must Be Prepared.
Aviation unquestionably is the first
line CT defense" Gen. Foulois said. THE
Army Air Corps must be prepared,
trained and equipped to take tne nelo 1s
Immediately on the outbreak OF trouble.
We cannot wait for an emergency and
then begin to prepare"
Because of the economy program, the
Air Corps five-year development pro-
gram has been stretched to a seven-year
program, and still is short of its goal.
the Air Corps chief declared. He told
members of the association, gathered
from all parts of the country, that dur
ing the period of depression, when re-
ductions in defense are the order OF the
day, it is especially important that all
patriotic citizens join the fight for sup
port of an adequate air program.
Warns Of Adverse Influences.
"Keep in mind" Gen. Foulois warned
the association members, that this is a
time when adverse influences through
cut the country are trying to break
down our defenses. Keep in mind also
that you must fight increasingly to keep
up our standards of air defense II the
Nation is to be safe"
Gen. Foulois said that in the face of
the depression the Air Corps has strug-
gled to increase the speed of its mill
tary planes of all types, with the result
that speeds of 200 miles an hour and
more have been obtained in the fight
ing squadron.
Echoing the plea of Gen. Foulois,
Senator Bingham in his annual report,
which was broadcast over NATIONWIDE
radio hook-up, told the delegates: We
are not looking for trouble, we do not
want war with anybody, but we be-
is to be well prepared, and no nation
can be said to be well prepared whose
airplaneS are not at least as fast as
those Of her neighbors."
Would Aid Industry.
Senator Bingham said that his pro-
gram for an unorganized Army Reserve
of 100000 pilots would stimulate tne
entire aviation industry and would not
defense
also would provide manufacturing
plants capable of turning out alrplanes,
motors and euuipment without delay In
case of emergency.
"At first sight" Bingham said, this
seems like daring program. put allet
all it only contemplateS training ABOUT
one person in thousand. In view OF
the enormous amount OF money the
Government is continually spending on
projects intended to relieve unempioy,
ment. promote the national defense ana
aid the States and municipalities IN
one way or another, see no reason why
it could not be adopted"
Senator Bingham told the delegates
that aviation alone among the modern
transportation systems has been able 10
show progress in the face OF the de-
preston. The outstanding need OF the
industry, he said, is faith in the future
of flying and in the ability OF Amer
lean aeronautical engineers and pilots
to produce the means for safe and
speedy transport.
Young Reviews Progress.
Progress in the aviation industry was
reviewed by Clarence M. Young. AS
sstant Secretary of Commerce for
Aeronautics. Col. Young expressed the
belief that the air transport industry
''is building itself an exceedingly safe
system not only because of stringent
Federal regulations, but also because OF
the unceasing efforts of the transport
leaders"
Col. Young revealed for the first time
that Department Of Commerce pilots
have solved the secret of blind land
ings through experimental work at Col
lege Park, Md. The department pilots,
he said, have made many blind land
ings through the use Of radio and in
struments carried in their planes. They
have been unable to see the ground
at any time, and the landings for that
reason have been more severe test
of ability and instruments than land
ing through the denser fogS, which
ordinarily would permit a glimpse OF
the ground before the plane would
touch.
I'VE have completed our preliminary
tests in this direction ana now are
seeking means of applying the findings
to the everyday needs Of air transpor-
tation," Col Young said.
Annual Reports Received.
The association received annual re-
ports from John F. Victory, treasurer
William P. MacCracken, jr- former
Assistant Secretary Of Commerce 1oi
Aeronautics. chairman of the Mem:
bership Committee, and DR.. George w
Lewis, vice chairman of the Contest
Committee.
Among the world famous aviation
leaders at the conference were Wiley
Post and Harold Gatty, heroes OF Inc
record breaking world flight OF las'
year, who received Distinguished Flying
Crosses from President Hoover TINS
Afternoon.
The business sessions Of the conven-
hon will continue this afternoon anc
tomorrow, closing with election OF ofh.
|, GERS tomorrow afternoon.
Dinner to Be Tonight.
At the annual dinner tonight at tht
Mayfiower several medals and trophie:
will be presented, among them tht
Ioenine intercollegiate Trophy to th
Harvard Flying Club. medals to Pos
and Gatty and a gold medal Offered
by the Aero Club of France to Lieut.
Condr P. V. H. Weems. u. S. N.
Many of the pilots who will compel
an the Transcontinental SweepStake
Handicap Air Derby for the Cor
Trophy. leaving Washington Hoove
AIRPORT at 3 O'Clock Sunday afternoon
were present at today's session as heaV
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