Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-12-11
ILO-HONOLULU
AEROPLANE MAIL
SERVICELIKELY
Postmaster corbett of Crescent
City Says Washington Off
Gals Back of Scheme

"A daily aeroplane mail service be
tween Honolulu and Hilo may pos
sibly-some say probably-he estab-
lished during the next year" says the
Hilo Tribune.
"This statement is no more in the
realms of romance than are reports
of Zeppelin raids on London. or &C
counts of accidents to aeroplane
scouts in the European war, astound-
ing as it may sound to those who do
not know that such service Is being
seriously considered by the postoffice
officials In Washington today.
The news that the postoftice de-
partment had the Hawaiian Islands in
mind for the first trial of proposed
aeroplane mail service was brought
to Hilo by Postmaster H. d. Corbett.
who was called into conference with
postal officials while in Washington
recently
Prompted by desire to find prac-
tical use for aeroplanes 50 that many
Americans will becosse proficient In
aeronautics, high government officials
have decided that the use of aero
planes as mail carriers provides the
best method.
Has Military Backing.
while the motive Is desire TO In
crease the quickness of mail delivery,
the military officials are supporting
the movement in the hope that in
time this country will have as many
efficient aeroplane drivers as any 9th.
er country for use in case of war.
supported by the postal officials
and the military preparedness advo-
Gates. an appropriation will be asked
of Congress for making trial tests and
for the establishment Of the aeroplane
mail service. That such an appropria-
ton will be. asked for is generally
known to government employees and
officials IN Washington.
AFTER Postmaster H. d. Corbett had
had talk with Postmaster General
Burleson, he was sent to First Assist
ant Postmaster Roper to discuss the
.practicability Of making aeroplane
mail service tests in these islands.
"The first assistant frankly stated
that an appropriation was to be re.
, quested of Congress and he talked
at some length upon the need for the
Improvement He requested Mr.. Cor
bett to cali upon General Superinten-
dent johnson, head Of the railway mail
service, when 1t was suggested that
the route between Hilo and Honolulu
would be q good one for the initial
test. hTa-4s.3 xsT- ss.ss rtt1 tfsa =, -s5issT
Mas Here IN. 1906. Il 49, -
Is superintendent johnson was IN the
islands IN 1906 and is somewhat fanni-
liar with local conditions. He was
impressed By the argument that It
would be good idea to establish the
test routes where the service would
be Of the most value 20 those on the
routes. The fact that Hilo and Homo
lulushaEe only a bi.Weekly mail service
,wasIemphasized to the superintendent.
He told the Hilo postmaster that he
was informed the air currents in the
islands were favorable for the use
of aeroplanes. He also referred to
the fact that there are never any long
and severe storms In this section.
$50 impressed was the superinten-
dent with the claims Of these islands
for such service that, before Post
master Corbett left, he requested that
a detailed report be sent him as to
the weight of the mails 1t would
probably be necessary to transmit
daily between Hilo and Honolulu. This
report is now being compiled In the
Hilo postofice. ~.
Postmaster Corbett states that In
case the service 10 established IL b
likely all first class mail, the smaller
= ckages of parcel mail and a limited
number of Honolulu newspapers will.
be carried daily between the two
stations. Other mail will be sent as
previously by the fnter-Island steam
arg % 49,