Evening star., 1938-12-19
j. ). Is Warned
Aviation Competition
Will Be Keener
Mason Says European
Activity Is Increasing
In Lutin America

The United States must prepare
to meet increasingly active foreign
competition in both civil and mill
tary aviation, Grant Mason, member
of the Civil Aeronautics Authority,
who recently returned from a survey
trip to Europe, declared at a joint
meeting of nation aviation organ
izations at the Mayflower Hotel
today.
This country must especially take
Into consideration European avia-
ton developments in South and
Central America, Mr.. Mason said.
Germany is preparing to expand
its commercial air transportation in
Latin America, including the con-
struction of large bases at strategic
points. German efforts to barter
airplanes for Mexican petroleum
during recent months since the
petroleum industry was taken over
by the Mexican government have
failed only because the American
aviation industry already has estab-
lished itself in that country.
THE Atlantic Ocean is not as
wide as 1t used to be- Mr.. Mason
said. I'VE must take this into con-
Sideration in making our future
plans, and those plans must be
made along sound lines"
world respect for American ayi-
alton must be maintained. We must
maintain our leadership both as to
quality and quantity of production"
Requires Real Effort. +.
This will require a real effort on
the part of the American people as
q whole in view of the tremendous
expansion OF aviation activities
abroad, Mr.. Mason said. The present
Italian and German governments
have given aviation, both civil and
military. primary place in their
national plans and in both Fascist
regimes aviation is in charge of
mo. 2 Man." he said.
In Germany the government has
established nine great aviation re-
search laboratories and is employ
ing $500 leading scientists in its
development program, Mr. Mason
told the meeting. The German ex-
port trade is developing rapidly and
the men who are going out with the
exported planes are being given
thorough government training in
diplomacy, international trade, Ian
guages and similar subjects.
Construction of the Washington
National Airport at Gravelly Point
was listed by Mr.. Mason as one
Of the essential items in maintain
ing foreign respect for American
aviation. The lack Of adequate
aviation facilities in Washington
has been a subject of international
criticism for years, he pointed out
He expressed the belief that the
airport here should rival such estab-
lishments as the great German air.
port at Berlin, which has provisions
for handling mass assemblies of as
many as 100000 people and res
taurant facilities for $1,000 in addi-
ton to the most complete aviation
installations.
Would Train 10000.
Mr.. Mason said the Civil Aero
nautics Authority is considering
plans for the training of 10000
civilian pilots as a part of its con-
tribution to aviation development
and national defense.
For fear Of over-expanding the
aviation industry to q point where
it cannot be maintained, he said
the authority is proceeding cau-
tiously with these plans.
Gill Robb Wilson, State director
Of aviation for New Jersey, who
presided, declared that the best pos
sible defense Of the Monroe Doc
trine could be realized If the Amer
lean aviation industry can build up
an undisputed leadership in South
and Central America.
A new policy of dividing munich
pal airport construction and main
tenance between the Federal and
local governments was advocated by
Mayor Harold H. Burton of Cleve-
land, chairman of the Aviation
Committee of the National Confer
ence of Mayors. The Federal Gov
ernment, in connection with its
maintenance of civil airways, should
also take over development and
maintenance Of runways at air
terminals, Mayor Burton said. With
the increasing demands of modern
transport planes for longer and
more heavily paved runways. the
burden has become too great for
local governments, he said.
The meeting. the outgrowth of
the first National Aeronautics Plan
ming Conference, held in Cleveland
last January, is sponsored by the