The Colorado statesman., 1917-01-06
WILL CARRY MAILS
BY AIRPLANE SOON
Uncle Sam Is Considering Plans
for Chicago-NeW York
Service.
TO. MAKE TRIP IN 8 HOURS
Regular Daily Schedule, With Three
Stops Between Two Big Cities
Proposed as First Step in
Project.


Uncle Sam, at some time in the not
distant future, will be carrying mails
between New York and Chicago by air.
plane. This is the belief of officials
of the post Office department who have
discussed the present possibilities of
aerial mail transportation with Ameri-
can representatives of the science Of
aerial navigation and are assured that
New York-Chicago service is practica-
BILE. 1t is estimated that the trips can
be made in from to Ia hours, depend
ing upon the wind and that the aver
age running time for the 720 miles (air
line) between the two largest Ameri-
can cities would be eight hours.
Certain American promoters have
proposed definite plans for the main
tenance on regular schedule of this
air trunk-line for the mails. They
point out that 'the flights of Ruth Law
and Victor Carlstrom were much more
difficult and remarkable than the regu-
lar trips we are planning. They had
no help along the route, whereas we
would provide everything that can be
thought Of"
One plan involves emergency sta
tions every % miles, each equipped
with powerful lights two landing sta
tions, and one relay station. The
planes would leave the two termini at
p. m. and deliver the mail before 8
a. m. the following day. Under the
most favorable conditions, the mail
would reach destination by midnight.
From 500 to 1000 pounds of load or
"cargo" would be carried.
Lights to Guide FIiers.
Leaving New York at dusk, the air
mail carrier would follow the lights
ut the emergency stations to the first
landing station which would be in the
vicinity of Williamsport, Pa. There,
at flying field fully equipped with
hangers, tools and spare parts, he
would stop for oil and gas, and would
then continue to the relay station near
Niles, Ohio. Here another machine
would finish the flight landing once at
the second landing, near Napoleon,
Ohio. One extra machine with pilot
would be maintained at each landing
station and three extra machines and
pilots at the relay station Powerful
searchlights would mark the emer-
gency stations and special lighting sys-
tens illuminate the flying fields at the
landing and relay stations. By the
use of searchlights of about 5000 can
die power equipped with acetylene gas
tanks, it is stated that the pilots
would be able to see the lights when
several miles distant even in foggy
weather and would be compelled to fly
in darkness under the worst conditions
only 10 or II minutes.
American authorities agree that the
development of airplane and Zeppelin
navigation abroad incident to the war
has been such as to promise very def
nitely the ultimate success of both
types of machine as cross-country car
riers. Heavy loads are carried, long
flights made and the war planes are
serviceablr in practically all weather.
The end Of the war will release hun
dreds Ct aviators accustomed to face
regular duty in good and bad weather
and will bring about keen competition
in applying to commerce the dearly
bought experience and knowledge
gained in the war. 1t Is foreseen that
12-hour one, two or three-stop mail
service by airplane between New York
and Chicago, two-hour nonstop run
between New York and Boston, three
and st. Louis, and even 36-hour six
stop service between New York and
San Francisco, are no longer the mere
dreams of active imaginations.
AirpIanes to Preeede zeppeIins.
Exact information Of the opportuni-
ties offered by the zeppelins seem to
be lacking in this country. 1t seems
likely that the people of America will
see the mails regularly. carried by air.
plane before Zeppelins sail on schedule
between the big cities of this coun-
try.
The introduction as an established
feature of postal facilities of such a
high-speed mail service, limited neces-
sarily as to weight, would raise the
question of whether the service should
be classed separately and charged for
on a special basis. 1t would offer a
medium of communication midway be-
tween the present special delivery let
ter and the telegram.
The suggestion of an air trunk-line
between the two largest cities of the
United States does not mean that the
department will not keep open the
bidding for contract service upon dis
font avpapsiya ond dtf3cu1t routas
such as those in Alaska, to aircraft.
The airplane undoubtedly now is
practicable facility for reducing the
cost and improving this class of sery-
zee and, when the special demands Of