Salt Lake Telegram | 1939-01-27 | Page 6 | Air Pioneer Speaks

Air Pioneer Speaks A SOLDIER who hs been a frequent visitor her on official business, who knew intimately inti-mately th suitability of this region as a sit for secure military air base and 1 acquainted with th last detail of plans for the defense of the nation' na-tion' coast line from the air 1 Major General Henry Arnold. Appearing before a congressional congres-sional committee hesrlng on the country's defense de-fense needs, he tell the Uwmakera why th United State should have an additional 3000 rmy plane Immediately, suggesting how they may be acquired and used. The general deserves de-serves listing as a pioneer of the air. His testimony testi-mony should carry weight Twenty-six yesrs ago he wa a young lieutenant lieu-tenant in the army signal corps. He was stationed sta-tioned at College Park, Md, and it was from there that he took oft in one of the Wright brother flying machine to Ft Myer, Va, Washington, D. C, and back to the atarting point It took him 41 minute to make the 28-mile 28-mile journey. Two propeller In tandem were driven by chain and sprockets similar to bicycle equipment Top ipeed wa 40 mile an hour. He won the Mackay trophy for that flight in 1811 He won it again in 1834 when he led 10 army bombers to Alaska and back 4290 mile. He was the first aviator to radio observations of artillery ar-tillery firing. He organized the aviation service in th Canal Zone, served in France, the Philippine Philip-pine and many post in this country. More than a quarter of a century of flying experience experi-ence is wrapped up In his head, whether congress con-gress listen to what he has to ssy or not