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The Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938
and The Private Flier

Address delivered by Col. Edgar S. Gorrell, President of the Air Transport Association of America, at Air Line Engineering & Maintenance Conference, Blackstone Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, July 16, 1938

THE process of legislation involves, inevitably, the spreading of rumor.  Often, indeed, legislation is either defeated or won by rumor alone.

The long history of the consideration of the various bills which finally led to the adoption of the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 contains its share, and more than its share, of rumors, half-truths, and misapprehensions.  It seemed at times that it would be a hopeless task to separate real facts from wild fabrications.

Many were led to believe that the Lea-McCarran bills would so entangle the private flier that he would cease to be of importance in aeronautics.  However, to those who followed the bills closely it was apparent that Congress was vitally concerned that in whatever was done the interests of the private flier should be carefully protected.

Civil aeronautics has a place in the affection and concern of the country which is quite out of proportion to the number of people engaged in it.  The reason for this extraordinary interest is to be found not alone in the great importance of aviation to our national defense but also in the fact that the possibilities of the air for the enrichment of our peace-time life seem almost without limit.  Those who do most to sustain and to justify this special interest are that large and miscellaneous group engaged