With Russia reported to be building 50 planes to our one, it is time to take stock of our possible defenses, which includes the plants that make the defense tools.

Over the top of the world from Alaska, it is believed an entire new chain of Russian industrial cities have been built. Obviously no one but Uncle Joe really knows about these "cities".

The classic mistake of the United States has always been to under-estimate the opposition: the preponderance of our resources, the ingenuity of our scientists and the valor of our young men has always rescued this nation from these perils -when given the time to prepare.

With the weapons of the air that are now developed, that have now been built, an attack upon this nation could be launched and be all over in a matter of a few hours. Industrial areas could be destroyed, water supplies and food supplies so contaminated that continued, effective, organized resistance, while we prepared, would be impossible.

The only defense against the horrors of the intensive atomic air-war which is now possible, is a preponderance of defensive and attacking air force. That we do not have and it could not build in less than 18 months to two years.

We have liquidated our air force and the plants that build the fighting airplanes. Once again we must start from scratch.

Our research has gone on in a small way, but we have only one model of this and one model of that.

The only way that we can keep our air force and defenses in good shape is to see to it that the aircraft industry remains or is restored to a sound and healthy condition. Why? So that the plants and facilities for building fighting aircraft will always be there, always be ready. We may need them -but bad.

These plants, on airline orders only, cannot maintain facilities extensive enough to handle a sudden influx of war orders, start building thousands of planes per day. Therefore, ordering enough fighting planes to restore us to a first-class power would serve a double purpose. First it's safer to have a loaded gun when bandits are about and second it would enable the aircraft industry to maintain it's large production facilities in case they were needed.

It is too bad that subjects like this make dry reading. For they are actually life and death matters for a nation.

Around the State
Clarence Cornish, director of the Indiana Aeronautics commission, has been named president of the National Association of State Aviation Officials. More aircraft honors for Indiana!

Approval has been granted the city of Delphi to acquire land and construct an airport, northwest of town. The new airport will comprise approximately 75 acres, be located alongside roads 18 and 39.

Don Engle, son-in-law of Fred McGown, husband of Sonya and son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Engle, is a fledgling pilot now. Took first flying lessons at Municipal airport this week. Happy landings!

A concentration of air markers, known as U. S. Skyway No. 1, is being worked upon now. For the benefit of private flyers, it amounts to a series of air markers spaced close enough together that the average pilot can follow them from coast to coast-like driving on road 30. Some 5,247 cities would be included on Skyway No. 1. It will not hit Warsaw, but passes through to the south of Indianapolis.

That seems like a good idea, why not start a system of state skyways, between principal Indiana cities, using buildings, barns and highways for marker sites? Could be laid out by present aeronautics commission, financed and pushed through by local flying clubs.

Another Warsawan who is currently wining his wings is Herman Trine of North Ellsworth street.

Airmail
I appreciate this note from a friend of long standing. It reads: "Dear Bill-Even though I know little about airplanes, flying and all that goes with it, I love to read your "Sky Writing" every time I can and enjoy every column. Mrs. Ralph Haney, Winona Dairy." Now, that's a nice note, isn't it?

Warsaw Daily Times Fri. Nov. 21, 1947