IN REPLY ADDRESS
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
AND REFER TO NO.

NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON,

Mat. 4 E

July 14, 1916.

Dear Sir:-

Referring to our conversation the other day when
you presented a letter from Mr. Henry Woodhouse, member
of the Board of Governors of the Aero Club of America,
dated July 6, 1916, I beg to inform you that there is
no provision at the present time whereby the Navy De-
partment can give official recognition to the Aerial
Coast Patrol.

There is, however, provision in the Naval Appro-
priation Bill now being considered by Congress for the
establishment of a Naval Reserve Flying Corps, and pro-
viding for certain training of the aero branches of the
State naval militia.

Should these provisions be incorporated in the Bill
as finally passed, it would seem that by enrolling in
one of those organizations, or possibly having the Aerial
Coast Patrol connected therewith, provision could be made
for official recognition of them by the Department.

You will understand, of course, that the Department
can not give official recognition to persons or organ-
izations over which it has no official control.

It is certainly most pleasing to hear of the patriotic
desire of independent citizens of the country to organize
themselves to assist in time of danger in the protection
of their country, and in wishing you all success in your
enterprise, I am trusting that some provision whereby
Government recognition can be given to these organiza-
tions will be provided.

Mr. F. T. Davison,
23 Wall Street,
New York, N.Y.

NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON,

Mat. 4 E

July 14, 1916.

Dear Sir:-

Op-9

(Ops-Mat)-LL
322-17

NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON,

February 6, 1917.

My dear Mr. Davison:

After careful consideration of the conditions as explained by you yesterday, and in view of the fact that yourself and the men you referred to have already had some experience in flying over water and in a type of aircraft that would be used for this purpose, it is not believed to be necessary to call upon you to make the sacrifices that would be required of you in order to take up a special course of instruction at this time.

It is requested, however, that you furnish the Navy Department with a list of the men that would be available, the number, type and general characteristics of the machines that would be available and giving every other detail that would assist us in forming a correct idea of their capabilities in case of need.

In this connection, I desire to express to you and to the men you have in charge the Department's very deep sense of appreciation of the patriotic offer that you men have made to the Government, and particularly the unusual willingness on the part of all concerned to make any personal sacrifice in order to be of service to the country not only in an ordinary way, but in a branch of the public service that is well known to be of an extremely hazardous nature. It is desired to have the names of the young men making this offer in order that it may be a matter of record in the Navy Department.

Mr. F. Trubee Davison,
12 West 51st Street,
New York City.