Evening star., 1937-05-25

some protection which other nations
do not have, we can get along with =
smaller air force than any of them:
but when the Atlantic Ocean may be
flown in less than a. hours by giant
bombers, the people of the United
States would indeed be stupid If they
did not realize the potential menace
Of these great European air arma-
ments.
Airships and pilots are q part only
OF the essentials of An adequate air
force either for commercial or mill
tary purpcses. Back Of them are the
great factories which must make the
planes. the STATS Of scientists, en-
gineeFs and experts not only in the
field Of mechanics, but in the field of
meteorology, the ground forces to
maintain the planes in frst-class re-
pair, and the airports and landing
places throughout the country which
are vital to successful flying.
Radio equipment Is one Of the most
important Of all the essentials to safe
operation Of airplanes. And an essen
tial part Of radio Is, OF course, the
dissemination Of accurate information
at all stages Of the journey concern
Ing weather conditions over the route
to be traversed.
In addition to that, we have the
question OF education-the creation of
= general knowledge on the part of
the growing youth Of the land OF the
science and technique Of flying and
Its importance to the future Of civil
lization. In Germany and in Italy,
aviation Is taught in the schools and
the interest Of the growing population
Is enlisted In aviation-practice and
development. This educational sys-
tenn Is useful factor In the develop
ment not only Of the commercial but
the military strength as we'll Of the
Nation. In America we are giving
little or no attention to the question
OF aerial education.
am firmly convinced that with
an adequate Navy and air force we
can keep the United States at peace
with the rest Of the world, and am
equally convinced that without it we
shall court unnecessary and grave
Danger IN the future. I speak with
some knowledge when I say this, be-
cause am certain that if the United
States had possessed a Navy in 1917
capable OF taking command OF the
sea We would never have become in
volved in the World War. Let US
never again repeat that error. The
best guarantee Of peace for America
Is to be prepared. not for aggression
but Tor the assertion and maintenance
OF every vital American right. am
strong for peace and I am strong, too
Tor national security, because our abil-
ity to maintain our national security
means, in my opinion. peace.
In our country we are making a
grave blunder in giving no authorita
tive and organized direction to the
development OF commercial aviation.
OF course, military and naval avia-
ton should and must remain in the
War and Navy Departments. Com
mercial aviation Is national problem
since the Federal Government has
exclusive control over interstate and
foreign commerce and because air
planes know nothing Of State lines
In the course OF their operations. Our
Government has scattered among sev-
eral departments authority over COM
mercial aviation. The Department OF
Commerce has certain functions to
perform. The Interstate Commerce
Commission Is endowed with authority
over certain phases Of air transporta- l.
ton. The Post once Department ha,
4 large measure Of control through
the operation Of the airmail. There
should be 4 concentration Of author.
tty over commercial aviation 50 that
all phases OF this great develop.
ment may be under highly In
formed and skilled direction. Some
OF the European governments al.
ready have AIR ministries, which
are equivalent, in our country