Popular Science Monthly 



251 



An efficient private aeroplane factory. All these Curtiss machines are going to Europe. The 

 aeroplanes in sight in this picture are almost double the number that either our Army or Navy 

 Aero Corps has in commission, if only the serviceable machines in both services are counted 



awakening to the shocking condition of 

 army and naval affairs, particularly in 

 the branch of aeronautics. 



Mr. Alan Hawley, President of the 

 Aero Club, the public-spirited organiza- 

 tion that is leading the vast movement to 

 supply the national guard and naval mil- 

 itia of the various states with aeroplanes, 

 said to the writer : 



"So long as the appropriations for 

 aeronautics for the Army and Navy are 

 not sufficient to meet the actual need for 

 aeroplanes and for the training of avi- 

 ators, there is no justification for spend- 

 ing the small amount available for fac- 

 tories and experiments. The dozen or 

 so aeroplane manufacturers and aero 

 motor makers have shown that they are 

 able to supply, in any quantity needed, 

 the type of aeroplanes and motors re- 

 c|uired, and they have assured us that 

 they will be at all times ready to do their 

 utmost in every way to supply the aero- 

 nautical needs of the Army and Navy." 



Mr. Augustus Post, one of the fathers 

 of the Aero Club, an experienced bal- 

 loonist and a pioneer aviator, gives us 

 his views on the matter. He says in 

 part : 



"It would seem just at this time that 



it would be well to purchase what has 

 already been perfected by the manufac- 

 turers in this country and so well prov- 

 en abroad, and that the Army and Navy 

 might well devote their energies, at pres- 

 ent at least, to training men to fly and 

 in perfecting an aerial organization 

 which could be moved where needed. 

 The developments are bound to be so 

 rapid in the near future that immediate 

 steps must be taken to keep up with even 

 the present rate of progress, and it 

 would seem that rather than extensive 

 laboratories, schools of flying should be 

 established and the manufacture and in- 

 ventive side of aeronautics left in the 

 hands of those who are doing so well 

 and who have accomplished so mtich." 

 As was pointed out in the last issue 

 of the Popular Science Monthly, the 

 aviation corps of our Army and Navy 

 are at the present time, rather ghastly 

 jokes. Congress has continually over- 

 looked aeronautical needs, and the little 

 money appropriated has been sadly mis- 

 spent. A recent court martial of one 

 of the officers of our Army Aero Corps 

 afforded the public a glimpse into the 

 rottenness of affairs when politics are 

 applied to our infant aeronautical ef- 

 forts. If government manufacture is 



