Evening star., 1940-05-27

about $4,000 airplanes 1t must be
realized at the same time that an
aerial army of 1000, 900 highly
trained officers and men is involved.
Civilian Relief Agency.
Thorough development Of civil aW-
alton as an agency for civilian re-
lief in event of war or other dis
aster was advocated by Ruth Nichols
of Rye, N. Y, second American
woman to hold a transport pilots
license.
Pointing out that the military
services are wholly deficient in prop
erly equipped ambulance airplanes,
Miss Nichols advocated that all civil
aviation agencies combine in set
ting up an organization for civilian
relief in war-stricken and food
areas at home and abroad where
other means of speedy transporta-
ton for vitality needed medical sup
plies have been destroyed or pre-
empted for military purposes.
Today Is being observed as "pri-
vate flyers day" and preparations
have been made to handle up to
500 privately owned aircraft at
Boiling Field. where q national avia-
ton exhibition opened yesterday
afternoon and Will continue from 3
toll pm. daily through Wednesday
Three Demonstrations Slated.
The first Of three demonstrations
by combat aircraft of the Army,
Navy and Marine Corps is scheduled
for this afternoon, when representa-
tive types Of General Headquarters
Air Force pursuit airplanes from
Langley Field, Va, will demonstrate
over the city and land at Boiling
Field at 3 pm. for public inspection.
In a national radio discussion ar
ranged as part Of the forum pro-
gram, Brig. Gen. Barton K. Yount,
assistant chief Of the Army Air
Corps, last night declared it is
doubtful whether any nation can
win modern war without gaining
complete control of the air.
One of six panel members repre-
senting the leadership of American
civil and military aviation, Gen.
Yount explained in reply to a ques-
ton from the floor that the Euro
pean war has taught three lessons
of major importance concerning air
power:
First, that air forces are more
powerful and more dangerous weap-
ons than the lay public has realized;
second, that 1t is impossible to de-
velop a dominating air force after
war begins, and third, that the air.
planes composing an air force must
be kept constantly abreast Of tech
nical developments and that old or
obsolete aircraft are OF little or no
value"
U. S. Developing = Dive Bomber.
The United States Army, Gen,
Yount said, is now developing a type
Of dive bomber similar to the famous
German Stukas which are playing
tremendous havoc In Europe. He
also stated that the Army has made
very extensive studies and develop
ments Of parachutes and parachute
troops" and In case of emergency
will be "well prepared" to use such
troops should this become desirable
or necessary.
Col. John n. Jouett, president Of
the Aeronautical Chamber of Com
merce, predicted that within the
coming year the American aviation
industry can attain a maximum
annual rate of production of $1,000
to 10000 military airplanes, de-
pending on types required, and that
it should be able to attain the rate
of $4,000 year urged by President
Roosevelt by the end of three years.
"Obsolete" Claims Denied.
Statements that Army combat
airplanes are obsolete as q result
of European developments Is mis-
leading" Gen. Yount said. Air
planes which have been purchased
under the defense program require
changes to bring them abreast of
foreign developments. he said.
Admiral Towers said that the
Navy now has 2,100 airplanes, with
900 on orders and 5000 provided for
in the 1041 budget. Congressional
authorization for 10000 naval air
planes does not mean this number
will be obtained, since Congress is
expected to provide funds only for
planes necessary to keep pace with
growth of the fleet. he said. The
Navy now is requesting new planes
for training purposes only, he said.
The United States by July / will
have q 900 civil pilots Of all grades,
Chairman Robert H. Hinckley Of
the Civil Aeronautics Authority told
the forum. Many, however, are too
old, too young, cannot meet physi-
cal standards or have not sufficient
training to be Of military value.
Transport pilots win be required for
l transport service In case Of enaer-
gency and cannot be considered Tor
military service, he said.
DR.. Vannevar Bush, chairman Of
the National Advisory Committee
for Aeronautics, declared that
scientific research Is the chief fac
tor underlying the safety. enciencv
and performance Of aircraft"
In response to question from the