The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-24

r,.,,, - ID los &. En-
"f mons and c. L.
Tinker, for virtual command OF
Hawails defense forces, in connec-
ton with the military shake-up
there, testified to Washington's es-
innate Of the planes consequence
in the warfare of today and the
future. The Hawaiian reorganiza-
ton didn't call off Supreme Justice
Owen J. Roberts committees in
vestigation Of the previous man.
agement of the islands defensive
equipment, but it did emphatically
stress recognition of the vital ne
ccssity Of competent control over
head, both protective and offen-
sively.
Warplane requirements, how
ever, have done more than supply
craft needed for bel!igerent pur-
poses. They've shown to plane
makers what they're capable of in
the production Of huge vessels
suitable for the transportation
enormous loads, Of freight as well
as passengers.
Just now their plants are more
than fully occupied in filling gov
ernmental orders, but they're look
ing ahead to a tremendous eXpan-
sion in their industry for SUISSE
quent peacetime Utility.
Planes as Carrier
President Philip johnson Of the
Boeing Aircraft company already
has suggested aviation's possibili-
ties as carriers in developing prac-
tically transportationless coun-
tries. which are only awaiting such
facilities 10 be settled up. Railroad
and highway quilting is so expen-
sive and takes so long that capt.
tails difficult TO find for it. Fur
thermore. it would take quite
awhile for it to begin yielding re-
turns.
I've had occasion to refer before
to South Americas dependence
upon aviatorial travel. The CONT
nents scarcely tapped by rail and
its highways are Of the most
primitive sort. Besides, over vast
expanse of it, rail and highways
can be kept navigable only by
everlasting attention and tinker
ing, or the jungle eats EN- up. The
country's vastly rich in resources,
but it has stayed largely uninhab-
table because settlers, even if they
succeeded n getting in, couldn't
get out. With aviation's advent,
the Latins took to it like a dog to
a bone, much faster than we did in
the United States. Hitherto, though,
it's been equal to not much more
than passenger and mail carrying,
very little freight.
Africa and the greater part Of
Asia are in the same FIX.
If postwar planes can do what
such experts as Phil Johnson
promises, these realms are due to
draw like magnets from over
populated parts Of the earth. AS
to the southern half OF Asia, it's
frightfully crowded now, but the
northern hair isn't, ar1 neither are
South America and Africa, except
in a few small spots.
It's true that big planes run
into considerable money to build,
but nothing like the figures in
volved in manufacturing surface
rolling stock, and they ask for no
roadbeds at all a taking off and
landing field, here and there, suits
'em peri city.
Authorities like Phil Johnson
don forecast the extinction Of
railroads in the United States and
Europe in any desperate rush.
They DO say, though, that they
think there'u be less and less in
clination to replace EN-, as they
gradually fall into impossible dis
repair. and that, in 100 years or so,
therell be lot less Of their mile
age left than there is today.
Railroads Unframed
I'm bound TO say that the rail-
road arrangements don't seem in
the least worried, but l don't sup
pose the horse-drawn coach lines
did, when steam transportation
was in its incipiency.
For that matter, can remem-
Der when horse traders didn't
think the auto was a serious men,
ace TO the demand for their nags.
Aviation. to be sure. doesn't