The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-11-29
OEXTEND A|RMAIL
SERVICE TO PACIFIC


terms will come the inauguration OF
York and San Francisco. with trunk
or feeder" lines to Denver. st. Louis.
Indianapolis, Pittsburgh. and event
ually other large cities near the
trapscontinental line, il become
known today.
Naval hydro-aeroplanes will be
utilized for mail flights over the
larger waterways Of the country
one such route. from Hampton Roads
to Washington, already being IN
operation. 1t is practically certain
that one route will take care of the
Mississippi river cities and cities
along its larger tributaries. This
will, connect New Orleans, Memphis,
St Louis. and st. Paul. on the Mis-
sissippi river, Jefferson City, Kansas
City, and Omaha, on the missouri
river. and Louisville and Cincinnati
on the Ohio.
Another route will probably lie up
the Hudson river valley, connecting
New York with Albany. West Point,
and other upstate points.
BurIeson Tells Plan.
A telegram from Postmaster Cen
eral Burleson to Senator John f.
Shafroth of Colorado states the in
tentions of the Postoffice Depart
ment with regard to the Western
mail routes. The text of the tele-
gram follows:
referring to conferences with you
relative to extension aerial mall
service to Colorado points, have d.
rected the extension Immediately ar
ter the war of aerial mail service TO
Denver in connection with the trans
continental route from New York to
San Francisco. / will take up the
matter OF further extension Of serv-
ice to your State upon your return
to Washington"
Mr.. Burleson has announced that
the New York-Chicago air mail route
will be inaugurated between Decem-
Der i and is, the exact date depend
ing upon the receipt of necessary
airplanes. Work is in progress on
hangers at Woodland Hills Park,
Cleveland: Bryan, Ohio; and at Clar-
ion. Bellefonte, and Leighton, Pa
The hangers will be ready for use by
December /.
The plan OF operation during I'M
favorable winter months contem-
plates leaving Chicago and New York
at 6 o'clock each morning. and max
ing the trip, including all stops,
within ten hours. 1: is expected that
20, 900 letters will be carried daily.
Have Made Preparations.
According to an official statement
issued by the Postoffice Department,
"the air mail service has made all
preparations to combat the elements
for winter flying. Electrically heated
clothing has been provided and in
dividual heating plants for each plane
have been installed. These plants
keep the motor warm in the hangers
over night through the coolest wealth
er and will enable an immediate
start regardless of the degree of
cold. Arrangements have also been
completed to keep a well-pscked
landing and taking-oR area in the
snow, and equipment has been devised
for control of the plane on sleet and
ice ground.
aAII the airplanes on the New
York Chicago route will be equipped
with wireless and everything that
can be done to insure a perfect daily
service, regardless of weather condi-
tions.. has been provided for"
In another statement which was
made public recently. il il stated
that, through its efficiency. this SER
vice has proven the possibility of
further extension. and the value OF
the saving in time which may be
accomplished by the use of the air
plane for the transportation Of mail.
the benefit being in accommodating
ratio as the distance covered is in
creased"
Past Experimental Stage.
The report further declares that
ain future extensions. when war con-
admit OF this. there will be
experimental" and In con-
firmation OF the fact that air mail
service has progressed beyond the
state Of experiment it gives these
figures:
During August there were twenty
seven flying days, los legs OF journey |
being made. In making these los |
flights there were only two forced !
landings. one causing a delay OF sew |
en- minutes, the other of ten minutes. |
or the total mileage to be flown, H.
16l miles. 1887 were actually COM
pleted"
The record for the month OF Sep |
TENDER was 100 per cent perfect. as /
was the record for last month.
1t is expected that with the total |
cessation Of hostilities, a large num-
Der OF airplanes and equipment will |
be turned over by the War Depart