Evening star., 1938-12-20
National Aero Forum,
Scheduled 10 Map
Broad Policy
February 20 Session
Called to Promote
us. Air Prestige

group interested in any way in
national defense or the business or
transport phases of civil aviation will
be called to Washington February
20 for a great two-day national
forum looking to the formulation of
q concerted air policy for the Nation.
AS one step in improving the pres
tige of American aviation in the eyes
Of the world, those attending the
forum will be asked to support
program to make the Washington
National Airport, now under con-
struction at Gravelly Point, world
model. This probably would involve
a far larger program than the
$3.50 900 project now planned.
The forum will be asked to con-
slider all aviation legislation pending
before the new Congress and to sub
NIT to Congress recommendation
representing the unified opinion of
American aviation.
Second planning" Conference.
The forum was called as the clos
Ing act of joint meeting of aviation
leaders and representatives of ma
tional organizations having an
interest in aeronautic development
yesterday at the Mayflower Hotel.
The forum is to be in the nature of
q national aeronautic planning con-
ference, the second of a series of
such annual conferences. The first,
held in Cleveland last January was
attended by representatives of %
national organizations. The WASH
ington conference, because of the
increasing need for organized avia-
ton planning in the face of the
growing threat of foreign develop
ments, is expected to be the largest
gathering of the kind ever held.
Among the non-aviation national
organizations represented at yester-
days conference, which will be
represented by delegations in Feb
ruary, are the United States Confer
ence of Mayors, the Committee for
Industrial Organization, the Amer
ican Federation of Labor, the Inter-
national Organization of Chiefs of
Police, the National Association of
Broadcasters, the National Exchange
Club, kiwanis International, United
States Chamber of Commerce and
Zonta International.
National defense organizations
participating are the American Le-
glon, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Disabled American Veterans and
National Society, Daughters of the
American Revolution.
States Represented.
States represented by State avia-
ton officials or representatives of
their Governors were New JERSEY.
Illinois, Nevada, Utah. Tennessee
South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky
and Georgia. Virtually every State
IS expected to be represented at the
February forum.
The Federal Government was rep
resented by officials of the War De-
partment, officers of the Army Air
Corps and members of the Civil
Aeronautics Authority and National
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
Many of the major air transport
lines were represented yesterday and
all will be at the coming forum. In
addition, there were in attendance
yesterday officers of the National
Aeronautic Association, Aeronautical
Chamber OF Commerce, American
Association of Airport Executives,
National Association of State Avia-
ton Officials, National Safety Coun-
Gil, Aero Club of Washington, Aero
Insurance Underwriters, Interstate
Airways Committee, Airport Mana
gers Association, Private Flyers As
sociation, Air Reserve Association.
National Airline Pilots Association,
Air Transport Association of Amer
lea and Sportsman Pilots Associa-
ton.
Pointed warning against the civil
and military developments of the
totalltarian governments and of
their rapidly growing infiltration
into South and Central America was
sounded yesterday by Grant Mason
OF the Civil Aeronautics Authority
and Gill Robb Wilson, New JERSEY
State director of aviation. Plans
Tor meeting this growing threat will
oe one OF the chief purposes of the
February forum, it was indicated
following yesterdays meeting.
Would Evolve Broad Program.
Inc forum IS expected to result
IN the establishment of great ma
tional aviation organization devoted
to permanent program of air de-
velopment along the broadest pos
slble lines, with national day set
aside for the purpose, it was an
nounced by Mr.. Wilson, who pre-
sided.
The forum will be asked to con-
slider such matters as increased air
defense, great Federal and COM
merclal aviation program for South
and Central America, broadening of
Federal support Of air transporta-
ton to include participation in the
construction and maintenance of
air terminals, Federally assisted
training OF a great reserve of pilots.
alrplane mechanics and other tech
nlcians, fostering of private flving
ana greatly increased national avia-
ton research work.
This was indicated after Mr., Ma
son, Mr.. Wilson and other speakers
mad sounded blunt warnings that
unless the United States increases
Its efforts it is going to be out
stripped not only in military aviation
but also in critically important de-
velopments in South and Central
America, with possibly serious ef-
fects on the Monroe Doctrine poll
cles OF this country and sister re-
publics to the south.