Evening star., 1939-02-19

to Congress, at (the N. A. C. Az
performs a unique function which
the Nation could not we'll do with
out, but which is beyond the re-
sources of any but a governmental
institution. The performance and
potentialities of aircraft are revo-
lutionizing the concept of national
defense the world over. Aeronautics
is becoming factor vital to ma
tlonal existence. It's importance in
international commerce is now Just
beginning to be felt.
International Rivalry.
AS rapidly advancing branch Of
engineering science, aeronautics has
received from the Government of
the United States and from the
leading world powers special con-
sideration and generous support.
There is today an intense interna-
tional rivalry in the design and pro-
duction of aircraft of the highest
possible performance. efficiency and
safety. For the past decade the
United States has led the world in
this effort. This has been due
chiefly to the sound organization
for scientific research in aeronau-
tics, and to the generous support
and complete freedom of action ac-
corded by the Government in its
aeronautical research organization
The present American leadership is
seriously threatened by the greatl-'
increased interest in and support Of
scientific research in aeronautics by
leading world powers during t7n
past two years"
Fundamental aeronautical re-
search is conducted under the aus
pices of the N A. C. A. through
standing subcommittee on aero
dynamics, power plants for aircraft.
aircraft materials and aircraft
structures. Specific research pro
grams are recommended by these
subcommittee, which represent all
governmental agencies concerned
with aeronautical development and
the manufacturers of aircraft and
equipment.
In support of the special s12.723.-
600 program for the N A. C. A.. the
Budget Bureau reported that the
supplemental estimate will enable
the committee to keep abreast of the
numerous recent requests of the
military establishments" by increas-
ing its technical staff land bv ey-
panding the committees program of
encouraging research in scientific
and educational institutions and
contracting with such institutions
for reports on special problems"
Budget Bureau Report.
The estimate for Langley Field,
the Budget Bureau reported, will
permit the committee more promptly
to complete work now on hand and
to prepare in part for the large in
crease in requests that is anticipated
in connection with the contemplated
expansion in military and civil aero
nautical activities
The proposed new Sunnyvale sta
tion is to be located on land now
owned by the Army but formerly
developed by the Navy as West
Coast airship base Approximately
so acres will be allotted to the N.
A. C. A. Some of the facilities. al
though similar in character to- those.
at Langley Field, will represent "ma-
terial improvements" over those at
the older station
TN every case" the Budget Bu-
reau explained, "the facilities will be
so designed as to provide for the in
vestigation Of the new range Of
problems arising from the develop
ment of aircraft of higher speed
and larger size, and will enable the
committee to meet the demands for
scientific data relating to the design
OF military aircraft and to keep
pace with the demands of the in
dustry for research information.
In reporting the independent Of
fees appropriation bill to the House,
the Appropriations Committee said:
Recent events have demonstrated
the dominance of air power in in
ternational affairs. The effective
ness of an air arm, however large,
is dependent upon constant progress
In the engineering science Of areo-
nautics. Recently the areonautical
research activities of foreign powers
have been greatly accelerated with
resulting improvement in their mill
tary aircraft. In order to make pos
sible the development by our Army
and Navy of aircraft at least equal
In performance with those of any
other nation the United States must
place greater emphasis on aero
nautical research"