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REASONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEPARTMENT OF AIR

General Statement

The United States is the only great power that would be self-sustaining in the event of war, in so far as men and material are concerned. No matter if hostile navies held either the Pacific or the Atlantic Oceans, or both, if the United States had an adequate military establishment which could be mobilized and concentrated within a month from the declaration of war, no base could be seized and held by those hostile fleets from which and offensive movement could be made into the interior of the country.

If, however, these hostile countries held the seas, and even if they did not, but gained predominance in the air, they could reach our vital centers with comparatively little trouble, and cause inestimable damage, which not only might result in greatly crippling our power of defense, but might turn the whole scale of war. The Air Service Transcontinental Test showed that, with the average weather conditions in October (which may be taken as an average for the year) the distance from New York to San Francisco can be covered in twenty-five hours. The whole area east of the Mississippi River can be reached in a maximum time of eight hours flying time from our Atlantic and the Gulf Coast. Within this area is included the whole defensive heart of the nation. 

The Panama Canal, our insular possessions, and points west of the Mississippi can be affected in a proportionate manner. Therefore, it would seem, as a matter of broad military policy, that the Air Service should be organized as of coordinate importance to the Army itself, and not only of equal but of greater importance than any naval organization. In the latter case, it is believed that the ability of surface vessels to maintain themselves against air attack will constantly diminish. The air will prevail over the water in a very short space of time, particularly as radio communication between aircraft and submarines has become an accomplished fact. The nations against whom we may be called upon to defend ourselves all have a coordinated and unified system for their Air Service, so that, in the event of war, they can concentrate their whole air force on one objective and under a single direction. Their personnel, their industry, and their system of work are organized with this end in view. 

In the United States, aeronautical effort is distributed between the Army, the Navy, and the Post Office Department, and, as the use for aeronautical equipment becomes more apparent, various other departments of the governments of the government are beginning to take it up. So far, none of these means have been actually coordinated, and, in addition, there is no central authority specifically charged with the enforcement of international or interstate rules for the navigation of air, for the licensing of pilots, or for the selection and licensing of aircraft. As things actually stand, any one can fly any ship anywhere in the country, which, of course, is not only dangerous for the traveling public, but also for the cities and other places passed over. 

[[marginalia]] Establishment of Dept. of Air. [[/marginalia]]

Transcription Notes:
Not exactly sure whether the correct syntax was used to denote underlined text and also the note in the right margin. Underlined text doesn't have to be marked anymore as per new instructions.