Evening star., 1934-02-08
SURVEY WILL MAP
A|RPOL|CY FOR U.s.
Roper Says Commerce
Group May Make Own
Study of Mails.

The most important and far-reach-
Ing study of aviation ever made by
the Government has begun with the
organization of the new 1nter-De-
partmental Advisory Committee on
Aviation it was announced late yes
terday by Secretary OF Commerce
Roper, chairman of the committee.
This committee will inquire into
every phase of aeronautics, military,
commercial and private, and will un-
dertake the establishment of a uni
form Federal aviation policy for all
branches of the Government dealing
with aviation in any of its branches.
1t was indicated by Secretary Roper
that the committee may launch its
own study of airmail contracts and
alleged excessive profits, now the
subject of Congressional inquiries, for
the information of the President and
the executive departments OF the Gov
ernment. The committee will work
In close cooperation with Congress
and the President, Roper said.
This is" Roper said in announcing
the plan. probably one of the most
interesting studies we have at
tempted"
Coordination Is Aim.
The first duty of the committee. he
said, probably will be to determine
and report on the method of func-
tioning of all the aviation activities
of the Government today. This may
lead eventually to means OF co-ordlna-
ton which will change in major re-
spects the aviation policies OF the
Government, it is believed.
The committee Will have one vot-
ing representative from each Federal
department dealing in any way with
aviation matters 1t also may have
non-voting representation from Con-
gress Roper said that many men,
bers OF Congress have expressed keen
interest in the project and have re-
ouested permission to sit With the
committee
Roper was reluctant to comment on
the probable field of activity of the
committee. saying he had no desire
to bind the committee members to
any program.
Il want the committee to feel clear
TO go into any and all phases of
aviation There is no angle of avia-
tion which is not suitable material
for the consideration of this COM
mittee 1t is not to be a Department
Of Commerce committee. and l do
not wish even to suggest any line of
inquiry which may influence the
members to adopt any given line Of
research
Present at Meeting.
Those attending the organization
meeting Of the committee. in addi-
ton to Roper, were DR.. W. M w.
Splawn of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, elected vice chairman:
Gen. H. A. Drum, Army General
staff; Maj. Gen. Benjamin D. Fou-
lois, chief of the Army Air Corps;
Capt. A. B. Cook. Navy Bureau of
AerOnauticS, Eugene L. Vidal direc-
tor, and Rex Martin and J. Carroll
Cone. assistant directors. Aeronautics
Branch, Department of Commerce.
and Second Assistant Postmaster
General Harllee Branch. in charge Of
airmail. Cone is secretary of the
committee.
The committee was created by
direct authorization OF President
Roosevelt, at the suggestion of Sec
retary Roper.
The Secretary stated that there is
SO much interest in Congress in the
matter of aviation, as evidenced by
congressional action" that it will be
the plan of the committee to confer
Immediately and at frequent inter-
valS' with the chairmen of congress
sional committees charged with con-
sideration of appropriation bills and
legislative measures dealing with
aviation and with Other Senators and
Representatives interested in aero
nautics
Furthermore. Roper said. the
chairman of proper congressional
committees will be invited to act in
an advisory capacity and sit in. if
they will, at the meetings of the COM
mittee.'