Evening star., 1934-02-04
R0OSEVE[TBACKS
AIR POLICY GROUP
Roper Suggests Committee
to Coordinate All U. S.
Activities.

Continued From First Page0
planes with corporation that owns
or controls airmail contracts, 1t
does not seem proper to officials OF
the Government that large subsidies
should be paid to the same concern,
which already is making good profit
out of the Government. In this way,
the adoption of a uniform Federal
aviation policy and the study OF the
question by the Policy Committee
may have a direct bearing on the air
mail contracts of the Post Office De-
partment, which at present are oc-
cupying the public attention.
A uniform air policy adopted by
the Federal Government is likely to
result, too. in establishing better op-
portunitieS for the training OF pilots.
Many OF the pilots in commercial
aviation are already members OF the
military reserve. There seems good
reason, as a measure of national de-
fense. why these pilots should all. or
nearly all. be members of the reserve
and should have a training that
would equip them for service OF the
country in time of emergency.
Another hope of the proponents OF
the adoption of a uniform Federal
air policy and greater cooperation In
the study of aviation is that it may
yet be able to develop airplanes which
will be usable both for commercial
and military purposes. In that event
commercial planes would at once be-
come valuable auXlliarieS in time OF
war. However, it must be admitted
that there are serious difficulties in
the way of the development OF planes
that are Interchangeable between
commercial and military service, both
because commercial planes do not
carry armor and because military
planes are without the comforts OF
commercial air carriers. A military
plane must be capable of quick and
sudden movement. and plane OF
that type is admittedly less comfort
able for passenger travel
Lighthouse Unit Cited.
A brief survey made in the Depart
ment of Commerce itself shows the
possibility of effecting economies and
securing greater efficiency in its bu-
reaus and activities through the study
and further development of aviation.
In addition it may be possible to
adopt aviation to the services and ac-
tivities of other departments of the
Government, with great profit to the
Government, saving both time and
money.
An example of what may be accom-
plished by extending the use of air
planes in the Government service is
said to be found in the lighthouse
service. The use of planes for in
spection and for the transportation
of supplies to light ships OF this serv-
ice at sea would make possible great
saving in money and in time, it was
pointed out Planes capable of rem
dering such service could be con-
structed at far less cost, manned by
fewer men and operated over much
greater radius than the light ship
tenders are today.
If the Government is to carry on
with its plans for curtailment of crop
acreage, a real and accurate picture
Of the crop conditions may be obtained
from photographs made from Govern
ment airplanes. In any event, such
a survey by Government planes would
give to the Department of Agriculture
q complete picture of crop conditions
when such a report was desired.
Airplane photography may be used,
too, to ascertain the stand Of timber
In forest lands. and it is said that an
accurate estimate of the timber in
commercial figures may be obtained
from these photographs.
Aviation Extension Likely.
The Federal Government maintains
many kinds of inspection and survey
services. The feeling is growing that
these services can be improved and
made more efficient through the use
of airplanes. With such a program
in view. it is clear that governmental
aviation may within the next few
years be greatly extended, and that
some kind of uniform policy should be
adopted.
Under a uniform policy, too. it
would seem to be possible to utilize
for more general experimental improv-
ing purposes the apparatus of the
various laboratories of the Depart
ment of Commerce, and of the expert
mental facilities of other departments
and bureaus of the Government.
Not only has the President approved
the plan for the adoption of a uni
form air policy for the Federal Gov
ernment, but he has also authorized
Secretary Roper to go ahead and ini-
tiate the necessary study in company
with the other members of the cab
met who have charge of any phase
Of the governmental aviation services.