Viewing page 71 of 77
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
1002 Aviation September 15, 1924 PUBLISHER'S NEWS LETTER When we hear from Oklahoma that advertising in AVIATION pays we are naturally pleased. Billy Parker, the well known exhibition flier who has been managing Bartlesville Aero Exposition writes they "are very gratified with the results obtained through the advertisements which appeared in your publication." It is these evidences of the widespread circulation of AVIATION among the people who take an active and direct interest of flying that pleases a publisher. * * * * Straight and clear thinking on government manufacture and repair in the shipbuilding field is expressed by the U. S. Government Advertiser. The dangers ahead of the aircraft industry, if government construction and repair are further extended, are so forcibly shown that it is time for the aircraft industry to take a strong position whenever the matter is discussed. "Steadily and certainly the government work of shipbuilding and repair which should be allotted to private plants is being assigned to navy yards, poorly equipped for the purpose and capable of performing the service only after much delay and at enormous cost. This is another mistaken and extravagant attempt to help labor, which it undoubtedly does so far as relates exclusively to employees of government plants. This is, of course, only an item, but, comparatively unimportant as it is in volume of work, it has been utilized to further discourage as industry that was once a national asset. "The private plant is heavily taxed, as are all industries, for the maintenance of the government. It furnishes employment to citizens at a reasonable rate of wage. It is entitled to the protection which it does not receive. The government plant is conducted without regard to expenditure of public funds. It is permitted to enter competition for government shipbuilding and repair on the basis of "estimates," sometimes made and submitted in secret to be readjusted on occasion to overcome legitimate rivalry. The government plant can always "under bid" - on paper - being without liability in the transaction and free of requirement to complete a given project within the estimated cost or a stipulated period. It can ignore the charges of taxation, insurance, overhead, and other incidentals that must be considered as vital in the conduct of a private plant and, on top of it, the draft upon public funds for performing a specified service is heavier beyond any comparison, it is safe to assert, than the cost of the same work done under contract at a private plant. "The government plant is favored beyond its deserts. It is the pet of politicians in Congress whose districts or within those states the establishments are situated. A private plant in the same neighborhood stands not the slightest chance of federal aid or assistance from congressional or executive sources. It has too often happened, as it is happening at this very time, that local candidates for public office find the government plants in their vicinity of great value to them in their political campaigns. No such partisan advantage is derived from the private plant, which is beyond the interference with and exploitation of employment of labor, if it expects to survive as a business institution. The private plant cannot retain workmen who are not competent or who are not loyal or who are not obedient. It cannot pad its payrolls by retention of the unfit and the indolent. The government plant, managed as it is, can do and does that very thing whenever there is sufficient pressure upon the administration, especially in a pre-election period. This is of benefit to the politician, none too careful of his method and reconciled to any device that contributes to his selfish ends." * * * * The seal adopted by the Commercial Aircraft Association of Akron expresses so clearly the desire of everyone concerned with the best interests of American aviation that it could be generally accepted by pilots with splendid results. Until we have government inspection some such association could act after drawing up a safety code that would be considered adequate. [[image - AA INSPECTED AIRWORTHY]] The meeting of the Commercial Aircraft Association at the time of the Race Meet at Dayton should bring together all those pilots and operators interested in the financial welfare of commercial aeronautics. Other cities where there are fields in active operation could follow the example of Akron and organize a local Association with great gain to the general good of commercial air progress. Dr. David E. Hawthorne, the Secretary, will be glad to furnish any pilot or field operator full information. - L.D.G.
