Evening star., 1935-01-31
PRESIDENT URGES
U. S. AIR CONTROL
All Forms of Plane Trans
port Would Be Brought
Into Program.
Continued From First Page.)

tracts. the commission recommended
as an emergency measure tFat the
powers of the Interstate Commerce
Commission be altered to permit the
taking of immediate steps Ito assure
the maintenance of airmail lines
pending the enactment of new legis-
lation." 1t recommended setting aside
portions of the law which would force
certain transport lines to abandon
part of their lines before March l.
Scrapping the contract system Of
awarding airmail business, the COM
mission asks for the issuance of GER
tiflcateS of convenience and neceS-
sity to existing qualified lines and the
placing by the Post Office Department
of mail upon any or all scheduled
planes at rates of pay to be deter
minted by the /. c. C. or the proposed
Air Commerce Commission.
The new policy would enable the
Post Office Department to use any
service that exists, without the limi-
tation of specific contracts, at rates
which would forever end airmail def
cit. AirlineS would be made eligible,
as are railroads, for R. F. C. loans.
Fostering Policy Urged.
The commission calls for Federal
fostering of foreign air transport de-
velopment by American airlines and
of service in American Territories and
possessions. Every effort should be
made, it was recommended, ito build
up and maintain a proper service un-
der the American flag outside of the
boundaries of the United States"
Federal construction of a commercial
airship and base for lease to private
interests was recommended as a part
of this policy.
In recommending the creation of
the proposed Air Commerce Commits
sion, the commission recommended
that the President be authorized to
merge it with any agency which might
be created to take over regulation OF
all forms of transportation, under
stood to be one of the goals of the
present administration.
Air transport now being in its in
fancy" the commission explained in
issuing its report, "the report eX-
presses the opinion that in the early
stages of its development it should be
under Independent control
power to issue certificates allowing
operation of air transport lines, to
control rates and schedules and con-
ditions of service, and to supervise the
financial structure and relationships
of air transport lines It would de-
termine the amount of direct Govern
ment aid in the form of a subsidy to
be given in cases of necessity.
The commission would foster de-
Velopment of the Nations airport
system, including a model air ter
minal for Washington. 1t would work
with the State Department in devel-
oping international agreements affect
ing aviation.
Aid to Exporters.
The Government should extend all
possible aid to exporters of COM
mercial aircraft and products in order
that they may meet foreign competi-
ton, it was recommended. The COM
mission also requested cross-licensing
of aircraft patents to make them
broadly available to all aircraft
builders.
An increase of research work in
aeronautics was urged. Federal GER
tification of performance figures for
new aircraft, for the guidance of the
public, was asked.
The commission created by act of
Congress and appointed by the Presi-
dent last June, based its recommen-
dations upon months of intensive
studies here and abroad. 1t heard
191 witnesses and took 4,528 pages of
typed record and also received hun
dredS Of briefs and statements.
It was found that a total of some
$550,000,000 was poured into the
aeronautical industries in this country,
most of it between 1927 and 1929, and
to this was added $90,000,000 in
municipal airports.
Much of the investment was dis
astrouSly reckless. Much of it has dis
appeared by the attrition of depres-
sion," it was reported.
There remains some $3.50, 100000 of
current value in commercial aviation
activities and total of about $1,000
gainfully employed Americans find
aviation their chief vocation, 10000 of
them in the operation of airlines, air.
ports and flying services.
IL lOuIlQ IIldO I1lC OIAtSO NIoVCo w
day has air transport organizations
'at least the equal, and in certain
respects very definitely the superior,
of any others in the world" European
constructors, "once prone to scorn
American aeronautical activities" are
visiting this country in increasing
numbers "as earnest seekers after in
formation" American air transport
lines handle a larger volume of traffic
than the lines of all the rest of the
world combined, and with a safety
record unexcelled by the lines of any
nation and quite unapproached by
most" it was stated.
'In general terms" it was reported,
1--WE have seen no evidence that Ameri-
can industrial organizations or Ameri-
can engineering talent applied to the
development of aircraft are in any way
inferior in capacity or in alertness to
those Of the rest of the world"