Evening star., 1934-02-11

SOullo, lICoAIAly SIo"bAl"
Corruption for centuries has been
recognized as one of the four chief
vices of authority. OF all the vices
it is the one most likely to stultify
and destroy government. 1t is pos
sible that too much authority has
been granted the Government avia-
ton officials. The McNary- Waters
airmail act was open to suspicion on
this score from the day it was con-
ceived. Under it were awarded the
contracts which have dragged avia-
ton into the mire.
The corruption which manifestly
exists in aviation is a grave threat
to the entire industry. Coupled with
corruption which exists in other
branches of American Government
and society today, it is a threat to
our national life.
More than two centuries ago John
Locke wrote: And I think it impos-
Sible to find an instance of any ma
tion, however renowned for their
valour. who ever kept their credit in
arms. or made themselves redoubtable
amongst their neighbors. after cor
ruption had once broke through and
dissolved the restraint of discipline
and vice was grown to such head
that it burst shew itself barefaced
without being out of countenance."
Viewed as Warning.
There was a warning which this
Nation well may take to heart in these
days of private and public crimes and
corruption. No one realizes more
keenly than does President Roosevelt
the grim necessity of uprooting male
factions in government and in the
body polite if our present form of
Government is to endure. He has
taken a militant leadership in the
effort to stamp out the racketeering
and crime which have threatened,
and which still threaten, the soul OF
our Government.
Aviation is going to suffer and prob
ably will suffer severely as result OF
the unwholesome revelations now be-
ing made at the Capitol. That it has
become so deeply involved in the
tolls of the plunderers is due to the
good old days" of 1929, when popu-
lar enthusiasm poured into the veins
of the young and unmolded indus
try a flood of gold too copious for its
health. It was bled by the racketeer
and the CRATER and flies on with dirty
wings.
There can be no great curtailment
of air transportation. Modern civili-
RI Innond tn n
upon rapid transportation to yield up
any of the advantages aviation has
to offer. But aviation must be cleaned
up even though, as some Government
leaders insist, every existing combina-
ton in the industry must be smashed
IN the process.
The Government must not only
cleanse its own hands in this matter;
it must go further and stamp out the
seeds of corruption which have been
broadcast in the industry. 1t must
obey the precept Of Bacon: For cor
ruption: Do not only bind thine own
hands or thy servants hands from
taking. but bind the hands OF suitors
also from Offering"
Group Holds Promise.
Creation by presidential authoriza-
ton OF the new Inter-Departmental
Advisory Committee on Aviation, spon-
sored by Secretary of Commerce Ro-
per. is regarded as one Of the brightest
spots in a badly clouded aviation SKY.
The committee has q splendid oppor-
tunity for useful service. There never
has been a time when the benef1cent
offices of some such body were more
sorely needed. -,
Aviation projects have been halted
or misdirected in the Federal Govern
ment for lack Of proper coordination.
Aviation officials have been working
at cross-purposes when the crying
need was for harmony and teamwork.
1t is possible that had some such body
as that now created been functioning
vigorously a year or two ago, aviation
might have been spared some OF the
scandal of the present disclosures.
The committee may succeed in re-
leasing some of the worthwhile avia-
ton projects now jammed in the cogs
of the governmental machinery due to
lack of cooperation between depart
ments. The "fivver airplane" pro-
gram of the Commerce Department,
for which s500,000 has been ear
marked by the Public Works Admin
istration, is deadlocked. 1t is under
stood, because of lack Of enthusiasm
on the part Of the Army Air Corps
The State Department has raised OBJ
stacles in the path Of the ocean sea-
drome proposal Of the Commerce De-
partment. There have been embar-
rassments and delays because Of lack