Evening star., 1935-02-03
BY JOSEPH s. EDGERToN.

Speculation as to the fate Of the
$4,000 report Of the Federal Avia-
tion Commission is rife In aviation
circles.
There is a growing belief that
President Roosevelt. in his message
transmitting the report to Congress,
effectually killed the air transport
policy recommendations Of the COM
mission and at the same time raised
the most serious doubts as to the fate
Of the whole report.
No one seemed to know last night
just what will become Of the many
recommendations of the commission
concerning military aviation, the
procurement Of military aircraft and
supplies, fostering Of lighter-than- air
development, aeronautical law, private
flying and other subjects. None of
these points was mentioned by the
President in his message.
In the meantime, the Presidents s
message and the commissions report
have been referred to the Committee
Of the Whole House on the State of
the Union and the aviation world is
waiting for some one at the Capitol
10 start the ball rolling.
When he specifically disapproved
the proposal of the commission that
there be created an Air Commerce
Commission to take over an imposing
list of duties, in the opinion of many
in aviation circles, the President rem
dered imperative virtually the entire
body Of air transport recommenda-
tions of the commission.
Looking to Congress.
Disappointed by the lukewarm tone
of the Presidents message of trans
initial of the commission report, in
which he virtually relegated the volu-
minous document to the role of in
formative material to be weighed
along with other similar matedial con-
corning other forms of transportation,
aviation leaders are looking to Con-
gress for a solution of the problems
of air transportation. They believe
now that the only solution for COM
aeronauticS lies in the enact
ment of the Hesitation recommended
by the President dealing with unified
control of all transportation, includ-
ing aviation.
Until Congress acts to bring about
the consolidation of Federal control
Of all transportation. by land, sea and
air, 1t is thought there will be no
change in the present gov
set-up for the regulation
Of air transportation. Administrative
control is expected to continue in the
hands of the Bureau of Air Com
merce; rate-making with the Inter-
state Commerce Commission.
The possibility of q breach between
the President and Postmaster General
Farley has been a subject Of specula-
ton In aviation circles since the
President sent his transmittal message
to Congress and gave support to a
recommendation of the Federal Avia-
ton Commission that the Interstate
Commerce Commission be give tenn
porarily the power to lower or in
crease airmail rates.
Postmaster General Farley has
publicly opposed the granting of any
power to the I. C.. C. to increase air
mail rates. He has contended that
air transport companies which bid
in airmail contracts at financially
suicidal rates should be compelled to
live up to the terms of their con-
tracts.
For Upward Revision.
The President, however, expressed
a belief that revision of these rates
should be granted Ito prevent the
destruction Of any ef1iciently-operated
part Of the present system pending
suitable consideration by the Con-
gress Of what permanent measures
should be taken and what amend
ment, II any, the present general
policy Of the Govern
ment should undergo"
MIR. Roosevelt, however, cautioned
against the granting of unreasonable
profits to any company. He expressed
an utter lack Of sympathy with the
plight Of those companies which Vio-
lated economic laws to underbid their
declaring cit Is only fair
TO suggest that during this period
any profits at all by such companies
should be q secondary consideration"
Postal officials who have opposed
any revision upward Of the rates paid
airmail contractors have been given
In opportunity to withdraw grace
FULLY, It is belived, as Q result Of the
explanation that Govern
msnt aid In the case of atrman COM