Prior to the war, as early as 1905, and forever afterward, the International Aeronautical Federation was organizing laws regulating aerial navigation, and making it the chief topic of discussion.
In 1910 the International Convention held in Paris drew up aerial acts restricting navigation over forbidden zones. There was not at that time sufficient aircraft navigating to make these regulations as important as they are at the present time.
Some of our own States passed some absurd laws to restrict aerial navigation to their own States. These were absurd because of the fact that no limits should be placed on the interstate flying to aircraft because most States in the Union could be flown over in a matter of hours. Federal laws only are sufficient to deal with this situation. The Department of Commerce, which has charge of both registration and inspection, is the logical department to have charge of the regulation of aircraft.
In 1914 the Department of Commerce took charge of regulating aircraft, and Dean R. Van Kirk, Washington, D. C., was fined $550 for disobeying its rules. These regulations should aim to do what the Motor Boat Act does in the case of vessels of not more than sixty-five feet in length. Since the preponderance of aircraft shall be commercial, it is absurd to delegate this power to the Division of Aeronautics.
Herewith follows the draft of the bill regulating aerial navigation submitted to the British House of Parliament and later submitted to the Peace Conference for adoption by that body in Paris.
DRAFT OF A BILL
FOR THE REGULATIONS OF AERIAL NAVIGATION
Whereas the sovereignty and rightful jurisdiction of His Majesty extends, and has always extended, over the air superincumbent on all parts of His Majesty’s dominions and the territorial waters adjacent thereto:
And whereas it is expedient to regulate the navigation of aircraft, whether British or foreign, within the limits of such jurisdiction, and in the case of British aircraft to regulate the navigation thereof both within the limits of such jurisdiction and elsewhere:
Be it therefore enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—