The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-14
Roosevelt Planning to
Merge Whole y. S. Air
Setup Under One Head
General Billy Mitchell to
Be Aviation's Gar
Is Report.
.copvrlght. 1889. BY United Press


WASHINGTON. March IA
President Roosevelt is contemplate
ing early unif1cation of virtually all
aviation operations, the
United Press learned authoritatively
today.
The White House confirmed that
a complete new aviation organiza-
ton is beng worked out.
The present division of aerial
operations between half a dozen
more branches of the government,
nevtr has been efficient, Mr.. Roose-
welt feels. The army's tragic ex-
perience in flying the mail has
these shortcomings
The senate postoffices committee,
meantime, invited Colonel Charles
A Lindbergh. Clarence Chamberlin,
Eddie Rickenbacker and Brigadier-
General William Mitchell former air
corps chief, to testify on the new
legislation for return of the mail to
private contractors. General Mitch
ell. the United Press learned. is be-
ing considered as head of the new
Setup.
Chamberlin Accepts
Colonel Lindbergh and Mr.. Cham
berlin. with Orville Wright, pioneer
f1ier. have also been askd by George
H. Dern, secretary of war, to sit
with an army board in studying
air corps operations.
Mr. Chamberlin has accepted the
army invitation, but Mr.. Wright
wired Mr. Dern that i'll health
would prevent him from serving. No
reply had been received from
Colonel Lindbergh on either the
senate or war department invita-
tons.
The army board inquiry, Mr.
Roosevelt explained, was but one
phase of a broad study looking
toward revamping of the entire
aviation structure.
The president said none Of the
details of the new policy had been
decided definitely and it was toe
early to determine whether control
over government aviation would be
vested in an individual or a board
Navy to Be Separate
From reliable sources. the United
Press learned, however, that the ad-
ministration at present is inclined
toward a unified and integrated sys-
tenn which would bring army avia
ton into much closer relations with
commercial flying, over which the
commerce department exercises
supervision.
Coast guard and part of marine
corps aviation also would be brought
into this consolidation. Present
plans would leave the navy air serv-
ice separate. in contrast to most
foreign organizations, which have
separate army, navy and aviation
ministries.
In connection with discussion OF
General Mitchell to head the new
setup, the White House said his
conference with the President yes
terday was simply in line with Mr.
Roosevelt's desire to obtain views
Oll JIl6 SlGudClOIl lIOIn every angie
The former air corps chief resigned
from the army some years ago when
he was court martialed for CRITICS.
ing high army generals.
FOuIOis on Trip
The army has flown no air mai
since Sunday when the President
following the death of ten pilots
ordered it to go on a safety first
basis. The poStoffice department
has outlined nine routes on which
it hopes to resume service soon.
Air corps officers said the delay
was due to necessity for redistribu-
ton of personnel and equipment
Major General Ben amin D
Foulois. present chief of the ali
corps, left Washington on an in.
spection trip over eastern routes.
1t was indicated the mail woulc
no grounded until he ,.ot,,r,1e 1,oro