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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0254.PDF
MAY 8, 1909. FLIGHT. 44, ST. MARTIN'S LANE. LONDON, W.C. Telegraphic address : Truditur, London. Telephone : 1828 Gerrard. SUBSCRIPTION RATES. FLIGHT will be forwarded, post free, to any part of the world at the following rates: — UNITED KINGDOM. 3 Months, Post Free 6 12 „ „ s. d. i 8 3 3 6 6 ABROAD. 3 Months, Post Free . 6 „ „ 12 s. d. 2 6 5 o IO O Cheques and Post Office Orders should be made payable to the Proprietors of FLIGHT, 44, St. Martin's Lane, W. C., and crossed London and County Bank ; otherwise no responsibility will be accepted. NOTICE.—Advertisement instructions should reach the office, 44, St. Martin's Lane, W.C., by first post, Thursday. The latest time for receiving small alterations for Advertise- ments is 12 noon, Thursday. No alterations can be made after that hour. AN OF a truth, everyone who wishes to see this country in the forefront of progress has reason to be gratified with the public doings of the past few days. A week ago unification of representation for the British aeronautic movement, practical recognition by the Government of the present needs of the hour, and the formation of a strong non-political party to foster aviation in both Houses of Parliament were developments that were obviously to be desired but were prospective stepping- stones to better things that might or might not be very near accomplished facts. To-day, however, the outlook is very bright indeed, inasmuch as the shadow of those events has been definitely converted into the substance, and the people of this country now have potent official influences at work to ensure the speedy and economic encouragement of flight in the British Isles. One and all the events to which we refer are of a nature that can be accorded an enthusiastic welcome throughout the length and breadth of the British Empire, but priority may perhaps be given to the action of the present Government in appointing a Special Committee to superintend the aeronautical work of the Army and the Navy, in deputing the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington to organise a special research department, and in making the necessary provisions whereby adequate funds will be placed at the disposal of all these various bodies. Mr. x\squith has done exceedingly well to follow up the report of the Committee of Imperial Defence in this pre-eminently practical manner, and is, moreover, to be congratulated on his selection of Lord Rayleigh as president of the new Special Committee. Best of all, it appears from the statements of the Prime Minister in the House on Wednesday last that an imme- diate start is to be made, and that the financial arrange- ments have already been concluded. " Influence is to be measured not by the extent of service it covers but by its kind," said Channing. In the course of a leader in FLIGHT some few weeks ago, we aad occasion to draw attention to the need that existed for determining the respective spheres of " ence of the aeronautical bodies in Britain. We entirely unofficially as far as any of the e, concerned, certain broad lines of activity 5?T that should be mutually recognised. Since then representatives of the various bodies in question have been in conference, with the happiest of results. Full details concerning the outcome of those deliberations are given on another page^of this issue. At the moment it will suffice to point out that an altogether satisfactory issue seems to have been arrived at, and one which exactly follows the lines suggested in these columns, on the several occasions when this very subject has been broached by us. Thus the Aeronautical Society of Great Britain, which is the oldest institution of its kind in the world, is to be regarded as the paramount scientific authority on aero- nautical matters, and is to be consulted on all questions- dealing with the scientific phases of the movement. The Aero Club of the United Kingdom is to be regarded as- the paramount body in all matters of sport and "the development of the art of aeronautics." Thirdly, the Aerial League of the British Empire is to be regarded as the paramount body for patriotic movements and for education. All this is logical, and as it should be. The flying movement is to be congratulated on having taken advan- tage at a relatively early stage of the experience of the motor movement in these islands, so there is now no likelihood of any weakening of the ranks of those who take an interest in aeronautics through factions having been set up among themselves. It must be perfectly plain to anybody not in the least versed in the politics of flight that the field is completely covered by the three bodies that have now made provision for complete unification of policy and unity of action. There is no- need for the establishing of any other club, society or organisation in Britain to deal with the subject as a parent body; albeit we hope that in due season pro- vincial clubs will be set up for the encouragement of aviation under the auspices of and in affiliation with the parent bodies, somewhat as has been done in the case of the county automobile clubs. That movement has furnished a sufficiently striking example of the utter unwisdom of internal dissensions. It is our earnest desire to do everything at all times in our power to- insure the cohesion of all aeronautical bodies. Young though the movement is in this country as regards effective work, it is highly gratifying to find that already a Parliamentary party has been organised for dealing with the matter in both Houses. Further, it will not act independently of those bodies especially devoted to the subject of flight, and therefore in the best position possible to advise and inform those members, alike of the House of Lords and of the House of Commons, who are willing to advance the cause of aerial navigation. Lord Montague of Beaulieu will be the representative of the movement among the Peers, and, Mr. Arthur Du Cros, as Hon. Sec, with Mr. Arthur Lee as Chairman, and Mr. Cecil Harmsworth as Vice-Chairman, among the Commoners. To assist the Parliamentary Committee that is in process of formation, the Aeronautical Society, the Aero Club, and the Aerial League will each nominate three of their members to advise and otherwise aid when required. As Mr. Arthur Du Cros points out, the rapid development now taking place in aerial navigation has become a matter for grave consideration, more especially in relation to its bearing on our home defence. Highly important and very practical results have been arrived at already by foreign countries, while the construction of aerial fleets has been in rapid progress abroad for some time, but with no appreciable response frooi this country. 256
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