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THE KANSAS CITY STAR, SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 1936.
HIS A BIG JOB OF UNITING
"AIR-CZAR" DISCUSSES THE PROBLEMS HE FACES.

If Commercial Aviation Could Agree on Its Desires, Achievement Would Be Nearer, Edgar Gorrell Says Here. 

Commercial aviation today, in the opinion of Edgar S. Gorrel, the new "czar" of the flying industry, is suffering from the same backbone ailment that caused the United States army air corps to take a seat just behind the birdmen of the United States navy.
In Kansas City last night on a transcontinental trip "to get acclimated" to his new job as president of the Air Transport Association of America, Mr. Gorrell explained his previous statement that the air lines of the United States today don't know just exactly what they desire, there is too much contradicting legislation, and that his job was to get them together so they would pull together for the benefit of all. 

ONE FOUGHT, AND WON.

"It is the same story of the navy and the army," he said. "That is why the naval flying corps today is so far ahead of the army. When the navy desired something it settled right down and figured out just what it desired-and got it. 
"But the army––well, someone said this, someone else said that, and when it came time for action the army was pulling against itself. The navy got what it desired and the army was left 'up in the air' with one aileron working against the other." 
As chief of staff of the American air force in the World War he planned the strategy of the United States birdmen in conferences with General Pershing. Since before the war he has been a flier. 
So when he asserted that during the period between 1938 and 1941 there would be a war in Europe and the air force of the United States would be so strong this country would not be drawn into the war, the group gathered around him didn't hesitate to believe. He was talking to men well versed in both aviation and war. 
HEARERS WHO BELIEVE PROPHECY.
There was Bernt Balchen, noted polar flier, and his two companions, Capt. Bjarne Oen of the Norway air force and Odd Nansen, all associated with Det Norske Luftfartsselskap, a Norwegian air line, on a visit to this country to look over planes and airports; and there was Alton N. Parker, a pilot for TWA here and a former polar and marine flier.
"The object of the commercial airlines is many fold," Mr. Gorrell resumed. "In addition to fast and secure transportation for mail, express and human beings, they are a tremendous power in the form of air defense for this country. But today finds these airlines-there are twenty-three of them-in this conflicting position. They need a concrete program. 
"My job is to help form that concrete program. And I will do it or sign off, and I don't intend to sign off. 
"My first thought is to promote cooperation. Next week I plan to appoint committees composed of men high in the various branches of the industry to work out plans adaptable to their particular part of the service. Then we'll all get together and iron the ideas out for a unified plan beneficial to all. 
"We desire prosperity in the airlines in peace, and usefulness in time of defense. 
"The airlines know what they should be doing- but they just haven't gotten together. They should operate under self regulations, which always is better than government regulations."
As to the safety of air transportation today, Mr. Gorrell advocates a campaign to convince the public of the safety of air travel, pointing out it is safer today to fly across the continent than to drive one's motor car. 
The former president of the Stutz Motor Company said the possibility of an air attack on the United States by a foreign foe was most improbable. 
"Where other nations excel in quantity, the United States today is far superior in quality in aircraft," he concluded. "We have nothing to fear of an air war. And this country, by the time there is war in Europe, will be too strong in the air to be drawn into such a war."

AIR CZAR CHATS WITH NORWEGIAN BIRDMEN.
[[image]]
[[caption]] Edgar S. Gorrell, Chicago (left), newly named president of the Air Transport Association of America, enjoys a chat at the Hotel Muehlebach with his old friend, Bernt Balchen (center), former pilot for Admiral Richard E. Byrd and Lincoln Ellsworth on polar expeditions, and Odd Nansen, Norweigian architect (right), here to study the construction of American airports. [[/caption]]

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1939 [[arrow right to article about Guam Air Base]]
THE NEW ORLEANS ITEM
Guam Air-Base Need Is Cited
Colonel Gorrell Addresses YMBC
Colonel Edgar S. Gorrell, aerial transportation executive thinks that Congress should include Guam in the proposed defense air-base project in the Pacific ocean and that it would be a big help both from a military and commercial standpoint. 
Colonel Gorrell, chief of staff of the United States Army Air Corps during the World, was the 38th person in the United States and the 300th in the universe to pilot an airplane. He addressed the Young Men's Business club today at the Roosevelt hotel. 
"The Guam project," said the air expert, "should by all means be passed. It would be an immense help both from a military and commercial standpoint. The proposed bases in Alaska, too, will be of great benefit in other than military ways The whole future development of Alaska with its tremendous wealth depends upon air transportation."
Weather bureau "gaps" were scored by Colonel Gorrell. Enormous expenditures for aviation will go far naught, he predicted, unless the air force can be mobilized at the proper time without delay. Weather bureau additions would serve other interests, also, he pointed out, as well as make it possible for fliers always to know the weather they would be approaching in flying the federal airways. 
Conole Gorrell suggested that an inspector-instructor be provided for New Orleans to improve reporting from ships at sea an increase of weather bureau staff at Alexandria so as to double the present number of daily reports, and establishment of meteorological personnel at Baton Rouge, Lake Charkes, Shreveport, Monroe and Port Eads.