Air Defense

ARMY & NAVY

In legislation now before Congress or germinating in committee, the Army and Navy air services for the next few years hang in the balance.

As for dirigibles, the Shenandoah was built in this country and as a war vessel. The only ship of this type that the U. S. now has is the Los Angeles, built in Germany and by diplomatic agreement not to be used for war purposes.

Representative Butler, Chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee, has introduced a bill for building a new ship, bigger and better than the Shenandoah. Such a ship would cost upwards of $5,000,000. It would probably take four or five years to build. Secretary Wilbur and Admiral Jones are willing that such a ship should be built, provided the cost of building does not reduce the amount of money available for other naval purposes.

There is another proposal, which has been considered chiefly as an alternative: to build a small metalclad dirigible costing about $300,000. If the makers in Detroit are willing to give suitable guarantees, Naval officials are about ready to agree to this proposal, pointing out however that the ship would be an experiment and too small for war purposes.

The Naval Supply Bill passed by the House last week provided for no new dirigible and proposed closing the Naval Air Station at Lakehurst, N. J.