Evening star., 1932-03-13

indicative of the attitude of the leading
airnail companies, Capt. Doe said:
And don't overlook the fact that trans
portation is the most important indus
try we have. We have put about $loO,-
600 900 900 into railroads, steamships,
rivers and harbors and good roads, all
for transportation, and here we are now
building the most modern OF transpor-
tation companies, and 1t Is only an IN
cident in taking the steps necessary TO
insure our national safety"
Airship Bill Urged.
Urging that Congress pass as quickly
as possible the pending merchant air
ship bill. the Aeronautical Chamber OF
Commerce, national trade body OF the
aviation industry, declared that such
legislation is necessary for proper ex-
pansion of American air transport and
foreign trade.
In announcing that the chamber had
voted to support the bill, Charles l..
Lawrance, president of the body, ex-
pressed belief that economic conditions
existing today make necessary the i'm
mediate passage of the measure II
American air transport services are to
reach their full development.
I'VE regard this legislation as a con-
structive step toward the extension OF
American air transport and airmail
business overseas to parallel the natural
route of our foreign trade" Mr.. Law
rance said.
THE legislation embraced in the mer-
chant airship act, II enacted now, will
permit American citizens to participate
In the evolution Of this important means
of transportation and will reserve for
them fair share of our future over
seas air commerce. The helium re-
sources of this country give American
operators potential advantage which
Is now ready to be utilized"
Growth Would Follow.
1t is the belief of members of the
chamber, Mr.. Lawrance said, that
American industry, with the encourage
ment of the merchant airship act, will
accept the risks incident to pioneer op-
Grafton because assured of the protec-
ton of laws similar to those now con-
trolling shipping ventures, and because,
If technically successful in maintaining
scheduled flights mail revenue at least
may be counted on"
The history of transport by airplane,
Mr.. Lawrance pointed out, shows that
passenger and express revenue has been
support of mail revenue growth of the
American air transport system to its
present proportions virtually would have
been impossible.
Hearings on the CroSser merchant
airship bill, advocated by the Aeronau-
tical Chamber, were begun Thursday
before the House Committee on Inter
state and Foreign Commerce, which is
expected to reach a vote on the meas
ure during the coming week.
The CroSser bill is successor to the
McNary- Parker bill of the last Con-
gress, hearings On which drew together
leading airship experts from all parts of
the world, among them Dr. Hugo Ecke-
ner, Lieut.. Comdr. Jerome HunSacker,
Navy airship chiefs and heads Of the
Goodyear Zeppelin Corporation. Sir
Hubert Wilkins also was numbered
among the many witnesses who sup
ported the measure.
Would Provide Safeguards.
The merchant airship act would sur
round international airship traffic with
the legal safeguards afforded the mer-
chant marine service and would permit
the Post Office Department to contract
for the carrying of its ocean mail by
airship ON the same rate basis now ap-
piled to steamship mail contracts, the
rate being based upon speed.
Passage of the act would result in
immediate development Of international
airship service across the Atlantic, with
the United States and Germany par
ticinating GERMANY now In building a