After June 1, this year, G.I. Joes and Jills may not be permitted to take any more flight training. This gives them an interest in what follows in today's column. Each and every reader will be vitally concerned, for it also affects the welfare of the aircraft industry and the security of the nation.

The gradual, insidious breaking down of service-inspired benefits has begun. Unfortunately the initial point of attack is the G.I. Bill of Rights as it applies to flying instruction. Under the banner of economy, some congressmen has presented a bill to eliminate any further flight-training for veterans.

Some action must be taken within the next ten days if we are to prevent this measure from being cleverly and quietly passed. Write your congressman. He is Charles Halleck, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. Maybe he will help.

Want some reasons why you should? The knowledge of how to fly will be a fundamental necessity in a few more years. G.I.'s are also entitled to this training, as anyone else. curtailment of the G.I. flight-training program will be a terrific blow at the grass roots of the aircraft industry. It is the only program of the entire lot, which has brought the benefits of the hill down to the small towns and the individuals.

Airport operators by the hundreds will fold-up, close-up and go broke when and if the G.I. training program is stopped. At present they are virtually living on it. When they quite business, another large chunk of aircraft orders will be eliminated, dealing yet another severe blow to the already financially shattered airplane manufacturing business. Losses in these plants run into millions and millions of dollars last year. Aircraft builders cannot keep those factories going much longer on just patriotism--just because the nation might need the facilities suddenly. Ending the G.I. flight program will almost be the blow that broke the camel's back, to the entire flying industry, from operator to factory. In light of world events can we take the chance? I think not.

Unfortunately science has developed the mechanics of flight, turned it into horrible weapons of war that make me shudder, have done this faster than the human animal has been able to keep up.

The necessity from a security angle for a stable aircraft industry is greater than our actual and financially sound business need for it.

Another thing that makes the whole deal smell to me is this: the big boys in the flight training business have had lots of government help. They are expecting more. The airlines have all had subsidies and want more. The universities have all had help and expect more. The G.I. flight-training is the only deal that ever put any money in the hands of the little guy who started an airport just for the love of flying. The big schools don't like it. It cuts into their cake. Many of the smaller fields are developing fine flying schools under the impetus of the G.I. program. The big boys don't like that either.

By nature, I like the little fellow who lives close to us. He is doing a fine job in most cases with the G.I. program. I'm in favor of keeping the money spread out. Let's keep a thousand good little schools close to the farms, rather than consolidate all effort in a half-dozen big schools.

Do the G.I. and yourself this selfish favor: write Charlie Halleck immediately and tell him NOT to kill G.I. flight-training. It might KILL us.

Warsaw Daily Times Fri. Feb. 6, 1948