Evening star., 1940-08-04

III STOunQ SCHOOLS
supply less than one-tenth of it's war;
time needs. The first step was taken
on July II, when the War Department
contracted to finance $25000,000
smokeless powder plant at Charlestown,
Ind, to be constructed and operated by
E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.
Auto Plants Made Planes.
In May, 1917 on behalf of the Army
and Navy, the Government ordered 334
planes from l6 manufacturers, six of
whom had never built more than 10
planes each. There were few deliveries.
since the firms in general promptly
asked to be released from their contracts.
The task was taken over by the auto
mobile industry. Starting from zero,
American factories in 19 months con-
structed a total of 80 420 aircraft engines
of all types; and during october, 1918.
delivered 1851 completed planes, which
meant that a production rate of nearly
10000 year had been achieved. Either
figure would be considered remarkable
today.
The history of the famous Liberty
motor deserves a summary, as one OF
the most inspiring accomplishments of
the World War and stimulating portent
for the future. In view of the babel of
engines in the Allied air forces, American
manufacturers determined to develop a
standardized motor, suitable for mass
production. It's design was completed
at the end of May, 1917, less than two
months after the United States declared
war The first Liberty motor, of IL
cylinders, was set up the following July
4, and tested August 25. Stepped up to
440 horsepower, with 100 pounds less
weight and 100 horsepower in excess of
its most efficient rival, the Rolls-Royce,
it passed to the assembly line in Decem-
Der. The production for that month was
% engines. In May, 1918, 1,243 Liberty
motors were delivered for service. BY
November, the monthly rate was 3056,
and total production had mounted to
1852.
The figures prove it was scarcely the
fault of American industry if no more
than 667 built planes ever
reached. frontline service,s despite con-
gressionD appropriations totaling $704,-
250,000 for military aviation.
Aviation Progress.
The Army and Navy entered the World
War with 113 planes between them, not
one of which was suitable for combat,
and a combined aviation personnel, pilots
and enlists- men of 395. The Army had
two flying fields. Not plane in America
had ever mounted machine gun. On
Armistice Day, the Army possessed 48
flying fields, 1882 planes, 20,5s6 officer
pilots and personnel, military and
civilian, of 174,456. The Navy had risen
to 2,127 planes, 3,117 air officers and
IS, ,053 enlisted men.
AS in 1910, so in 1917 the United States
Navy was ready to the last Delaying pin
thanks to the imagination and foresight
of Secretary Josephus Daniels. During
1856 there had been completed four
battleships, 10 destroyers and 7 sub
marines. In the Navy bill of 1916 Con-
gress not only created the post of chief
of naval operations, but appropriated
$312 ,687 900 for the construction of 10
battleships, battle cruisers, so destroy
ers and Ct submarines. Plans for these
vessels were completed before the bill
was passed, so that contracts were let
the next day and construction began
before the end of the year. BY April.
1917, there were under construction 8
battleships, battle cruisers, 81 Destroy
ers and II submarines. The commits
stoned strength of the feet, at Americas
entrance into the war, was 80 battleships.
of which IA were of first class; 9 heavy
and light cruisers, 50 destroyers and
A submarines.
The American merchant marine was
larger in 1917 than at present, the re-
spective figures being 8,469,694 and T..
865, ,421 tons.
It is not too much to affirm that the
American Navy of 1917 was amply cap
able of discharging any service which,
under the circumstances of that time,
could conceivably have been exacted of
it. Though actually far more powerful,
the feet of 1910 is relatively about half
as strong. The Monroe Doctrine was
unchallenged % years ago, and there
was no reason for expecting the Navy
to protect the entire Western Hemi-
sphere, in Atlantic and Pacific, from
Cape Horn to Labrador and Alaska. A
confession of the situations multiplied
peril is contained in the current 1O-year
program for expanding the fleets
strength by 10 per cent, at a cost of
$7,41o,o00000 for ships and planes under
construction or authorized, with the goal