"Mr. Martin was questioned regarding the current controversy in Government circles over the advisability of emphasizing war plane construction rather than enlarged building of battleships, "The United States absolutely must have battleships as. long as other natións have them," he replied. "They have a definite and vital place in national defence and it would be great folly not to have a strong fleet. But such a fleet must not Overlook the increasing necessity of an adequate aerial arm to defend that flee! e should have à larger percent tage of aircraft attached to our fleet than any other Power because of the Panama Canal problem, The destruction of the Canal might make the fleet unavailable in one ocean, but it would not affect the Air Force."
Amendment Offered iHe estimated that the cost of an experimental super-bomber, possibly of the 142-ton class, would be approximately $6,500,000. He said that later in commercial manufacture of the planes, the cost would be reduced to about $3,000,000 exclusive of motors and military equipment.
Mr. Carl Vinson, Democrat of Georgia ud sponsor of the naval expansion bill which would increase the strength' of the U.S, Navy by tweħty-percent, announced following Mr, Martin's testimony, that he would offer an amendment to his bill to provide $20,000,000 for experimental work on naval fighting planes.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.