Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-09-26
AVIATION MERGER
PLAN IS ASSA|LED
Advisory Committee Tells
Commission Opposition
to Department.

Merger of Army and Navy aviation
for creation of a separate Government
department to handle all military and
civil aviation matters was opposed by
the National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics at hearings today before
the Federal Aviation Commission.
The N. A. C. A. recommended con-
struction of two experimental rigid
airships for transoceanic and inter-
continental service and further expert
mental work with large seaplanes for
the same purpose.
Sea Flying Economy.
The use of airships and seaplanes
for transatlantic traffic, the committee
reported, is believed more economical
than to engage in the competition now
taking place among the nations OF Eu-
rope in building of high-speed super
ships for merchant marine"
The committee, represented by its
director of research, DR.. George w.
Lewis, recommended that military
aviation be continued under the War
Department and that naval. aviation
be kept under control of the Navy
Department. Regulatory control of
commercial aviation should be vested
in the Department of Commerce, the
N. A. C. A. recommended. In this
connection it took issue with the re-
cent transfer to the Interstate Com
merce Commission of the work OF reg
ulating aiFmail rates.
ENCOURAGEMENT Of Lines
The committee advocated further
Federal encouragement of national
and international air transport lines,
further Weather Bureau developments
for aeronautical purposes, increase use
of aviation by various departments OF
the Federal Government and con-
tinuation of the aeronautical research
program which it now is conducting
for the Federal Government.
Weather Bureau Discussed.
Earlier it had been disclosed that
transfer to the Commerce Depart
ment's Bureau of Air Commerce OF
the Weather Bureau. since 1891 unit
Of the Department of Agriculture, is
being considered by the Aviation
Commission as one of its recon-
mendations to Congress.
Willis R. Gregg, chief of the
Weather Bureau. was questioned
closely as to the ACCESSIBILITY OF
such a change after the commission
learned that approximately half the
Weather Bureaus present duties are
concerned with aviation forecasts.
Mr.. Gregg, although admitting
weather forecasting for aeronautical
purposes constituted the largest single
specialized service in point of per-
sonnet and money rendered by the
Weather Bureau, said he did not be-
lieve the transfer was necessary.
Gregg Doubts Advantage.
I'm no matter what department it
might be placed" Gregg said, 1T will
always be necessary for the Weather
Bureau to provide service to other
departments and for others than this
primary function.
"As I see it, there would be no
advantage in a transfer. We feel
that service can be carried on under
the present arrangement, but that
the essential thing is that sufficient
funds be provided to enable the bu-
reau to carry on all the types of
service required of it."
Gregg estimated approximately
$500 900 each year in addition to the
regular appropriation will be required
to provide forecasts made from the
new air mass" principle, which is ex-
pected to provide more accurate fore
casts for longer time periods.
Ocean Service Expansion.
Within a short time the private
Weather Bureau ocean service will be
expanded to provide regular twice
daily reports from approximately 1000
ships, 225 of them of United States
registration, Gregg said. Such reports
now are received from only 125 ships.
Under international agreement. this
information will be made available on
both sides of the Atlantic and will
make possible preparation of daily
weather maps.
Gregg expressed the opinion that
commercial air transport lines should
employ trained weather personnel to
supplement the service given by the
Weather Bureau.
Gregg was followed on the stand by
DR.. George w. Lewis, research direc-
tor of National Advisory Committee
for Aeronautics.