Evening star., 1934-09-16

for legislation which has guide
and the findings of the new Fet
be Of even greater consequence
group.
Chairman Clark Howell, ST., at the
direction Of the board, spent many
weeks In Europe studying at first
hard every phase Of European avia-
tior which conceivably might be Use
full to the commission In Its work
Of drafting our new air policy. He
has lust returned from that trip and
nov is In process Of exchanging with
the members Of his commission notes
on his European findings and the
results OF their 13,000-mile air tour
of the United States and nearby
Latin American nations.
Data Sought in Briefs.
In addition to these first-hand
stucies the commission has submit
Hundreds Of questions" answers to
which have been submitted in the
form 1T briefs, charts and satisfies.
One OF these briefs alone Is said to
be 80 pages in length, while another
In OF 80 pages.
II addition, preliminary briefs are
being received from many Of the
non Federal witnesses slated to ap-
pear before the commission during
the coming month. These briefs are
intended to save the time Of the COM
mission and witnesses, making pos
sible the preliminary study by COM
mission members Of the facts the wit
ness wishes to submit, so that their
questioning of him may be to the
point.
The commission will 60 thoroughly
into the important and difficult ques-
tion OF merging Federal aviation
activities, especially those of military
character, 1t has been indicated. This
is the question on which peace-time
military leaders have split. No ac-
cord has been reached on the pro-
posal to merge Army and Navy avia-
tion since the question first was
raised years ago. No question Of mill
tary policy In recent years has been
ricra bitterly contested.
The question Of merging military
end naval aviation has been the
cause Of deep concern abroad, as
well &G In this country, and Chair
xnan Howell has information Of ex-
leriances in Europe, especially in
France and Great Britain, where both
forms Of control have been tried.
Other Questions Of Importance.
while the matter Of merger or con-
tinued separation Of Army and Navy
1iyirR services will form one of the
Important questions Of permanent
Iolicy upon which the commission
lauSE decide, there are others of con-
sequence affecting civil aeronautics.
Virtually all Of the Government de-
lartments use aviation in some form
and 1t must be decided whether these
sctivtties shall be combined, with the
possible setting up of separate Fed
trall aviation department.
Ir the War, Navy and Commerce
Departments aviation long has been
tsta oliGhed and Is o part Of the rou-
tine. Other non-aeronautical agen-
,ies, such as the Treasury, Interior
end Agriculture Departments, have
tncr eaSed their use Of the airplane in
the Last few years. This phase Of
s.vla lion has been the subject of O
study by Rex Martin, assistant di-
rector of- air commerce for air navi-
iation, who recently issued . report
tn the opportunities for the airplare
In Government service.
Many OF the Government depart
faen tS constantly are making surveys,
tr have need Of them, which require
expenditure Of months and even years
- Nd of
ty 0Tcinary means, but which may
he made by air In q fraction of the
time and at small amount of the
cont Martin said.
,'r'hiE,"i he said, would not only
make the surveys available much
ot,r err, but, because of the great saw
inGya they could be made oftener If
desired"
Valuable In Coast Guard.
'T1e airplane Is an essential part
af tie equipment OF the Coast Guard,
epeI Ating under the Treasury De-
Tartment. Aircraft have played a
airrSnG and invaluable part in rescue
Work at sea and in routine patrol
worh directed toward prevention Of
smuggling, enforcement of customs
laws, Trotection of fisheries and the
issuance Of iceberg warnings. So val
liable has aviation proved to the
Coast Guard that Secretary Morgen-
taAu has initiated an expanded pro-
ram for aviation in this service.
Tie Customs Service also makes
lse Df airplanes in the prevention Of
snul Cling and in its routine work Of
Net tigation.
Tie Public Health Service EMPLOYS
sirpl anes to carry injured Government
emp Dyes, and, Martin believes, could
lse hem to a much larger extent in
raki ng surveys Of sanitary conditions
snd n disease suppression work.
Il >csil interest would be stimulated
knd this country's national defense
7 rog arm would benefit If the War
] cps rtInent were to expand the num-
kH Il National Guard squadrons so
rat each State would have its own
ilit q air service" Martin pointed
CIT.
Tlt Bureau OF Air Commerce, aside
ON the Army and Navy, in the largest
ede 'al User Of airplanes In its routine
/ lsil eSg.
Tks need for organization by the
Z ure III of Insular Affairs of the War
I epa rttnent OF aviation units In each
c,thi possessions under It's Jurisdiction
eql emily has been pointed out.
Aid Interior Surveys.
The airplane is Of great service to
the interior Department in making
q aria surveys and photographs, par
cul rly for the General Land once,
10 ureau Of Reclamation, Geological
rvy and Public Works Administra-
b IN. The ONCE of education, Martin
. Id, "colld perform q distinct service
/ IL crhasing its work in connection
' ith public education In aviation mat
I rs Il Is suggested that the In
I rio Department consider the opera
I on Of an airline In Alaska In con-
nc Ion with the Alaska Railroad.
IT, airplane plays an important
q IN Pa ~s~~ ><k fxA