Evening star., 1932-08-19
n. A. A. ASKS FIGHT
FOR AIR DEFENSE
Pacifist Efforts to Weaken
National Forces Held
Grave Menace.

citation today adopted a number of
resolutions calling upon its Nationwide
membership to fight efforts of pacifists
and economists to cripple the countrys
air forces.
Adoption of the resolutions began i'm
mediately after an address by Rear Ad-
miral William A. Moffett chief Of the
Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, in which
he declared that reduced appropriations
for Naval aviation not only are in
juring efficiency of service but have
badly injured the aviation industry.
Aircraft Museum Urged.
The convention also will consider
resolutions later today calling for es-
tablishment of national aircraft mu-
scum in the National Capital and a
resolution designating Washington as
starting point for all future transcon-
tinental air derbies in connection with
the national air races.
The association today adopted reso-
lutions calling upon Congress and the
President to maintain the efficiency of
the Army and Navy Air services to
complete the 5-year Army Air Corps
building program and initiate new
5-year program, to continue the Navy
high speed airplane program and to
provide airplanes for the new aircraft
carrier, u. S. S. Ranger, now nearing
completion.
The association called upon Congress
to enact the pending merchant airship
bill, which would create great airship
industry in the United States
Abolishing the post of the Assistant
Secretary Of the Navy for Aeronautics
was condemned by the association
which demanded that the post be re-
established and filled Immediately.
Election Set for Today.
number of resolutions urging adop-
tion of uniform regulations governing
development of aviation in the United
States will be considered during the
afternoon session, which will close late
today following election of officers.
The association is expected to re-elect
Senator Hiram Bingham of Connecti-
cut as president for his fifth term.
Amelia Earhart Putnam probably will
be re elected vice president.
Admiral Moffett told the convention
delegates. assembled from all parts Of
the country, that the Navy now is COM
pleting a high-speed aircraft engine
which is expected to develop 900 horse
power or more. and which Is expected
to bring the United States back into
the field of high-speed flying. from
which it dropped six years ago follow
ing withdrawal from the Schneider
Trophy races.
He told the convention that the U. S.
S. Macon sister ship to the Akron,
which few over washington today, Will
be completed next March. and predicted
that the next airship built for the
OF q q
5000 900 cubic feet capacity. nearly so
per cent larger than the Akron and
three times as large as the Graf Yep
pelin.
Huge Planes Designed.
He also announced that the Navy Is
planning construction Of giant flying
boat rivaling the DO-X in size. These
great planes will weigh around 100000
pounds each, and are to have cruising
range Of at least $500 miles at maxi
mum speed of 100 miles per hour. At
least two years will be required to COM
plete the engineering work on the big
patrol boats, he said.
The annual banquet of the associa-
ton last night at the Mayfiower Hotel
was marked by presentation of the
Looming Trophy to the Harvard Flying
Club, a gold medal of the Aero Club
of France to Comdr. P. V. H. Weems,
U. s. N. and a birthday tribute to
Orville Wright, first man to fly, who
is 81 years old today.
The Looming Trophy. awarded an
nuaily to the college flying club having
the best record of achievement during
the year. was presented by its donor.
Grover H. Looming. wartime pilot and
noted airplane designer and builder. TO
the Harvard Flying Club. Prizes also
were presented TO the University OF
Detroit Flying Club and the William
and Mary Flight Club, William and
Mary College. Williamsburg. Va.
Comdr. Weems, world authority en-
aerial navigation, who numbers among
his students Col Charles A. Lindbergh
and Harold Gatty received the French
medal for his book Air Navigation,
The Aero Club trophy is awarded an
nually to the writer of the most valu-
able eeronautical work in a language
otner vhan French.
Invited 10 Chicago.
The association received q message,
delivered by airplane, from Rufus G,
Dawes, president of Chicago's Century
of Progress, to hold its 1888 convention
in Chicago during the exposition.
Action on the invitation will be taken
by the association late today. The
message was flown here by Col Philip
@. Kemp, Illinois governor of the Ma
tional Aeronautic Association.
At the close Of the dinner, on motion
Of Senator Bingham, the delegates and
their guests. numbering many OF tins
Nations aviation leaders, rose in trlo-
ute to Orville Wright and drank q
! birthday toast in ice water in ms
| honor. Wright, famed for the adroit-
ness with which he avoids testimonials
! in his honor. is at Georgian Bay, in
| the wilds of Canada.
Wiley Post and Harold Gatty, who re-
ceived Distinguished Flying Crosses
| from President Hoover yesterday fol
their world fight in less than nine day.
| last year, were guests. Gatty described
| events during the international meeting
of ocean flyers recently in Rome. ano
urged that the United States act as hos'
to flyers Of all nations who have
pioneered the ocean air trails He sug
! gested that the second reunion be helC
at Chicago next year. Post, as famous
as Orville Wright for his taciturnity
could not be prevailed on to say word
Capt. William ]. Tate of Kitty Hawk
N. c., who commanded the Coast Guard
| station there when the wright Drotners
made their glider and first airplant
| flights 20 years ago. and who was host
| to the airmen during their first visit te
/ the cradle of modern aviation, told OF
their early experiments.
Derby Flyers Guests.
William P. MacCracken, jr., former
Assistant Secretary of Commerce TO!
Aeronautics, outlined the early history
| of the National Aeronautic Association
which, as American representative oi
the Federation Aeronautique 1nterna-
| tionale. is charged with all official avi-
alton record flights. Senator Bingham
| was POSTMASTER.
! Many of the competing pilots in the
| transcontinental sweepstakes handicap
air derby for the Cord Trophy. starting
ing from Washington Sunday afternoon
were guests of the association at the
dinner and a dance which followed.
|