Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-12-10
L etterS by dir.

That the Government intends to establish
the Air Mail Service at the earliest possible
moment is indicated by the presence here
yesterday of two military aviators-Lieuten-
ants Johnson and Lesley-sent to Atlanta to
make survey of general flying conditions in
and around the city.
These young men examined the topography
of the country adjacent to Atlanta, examined
the possible and prospective sites for landing
fields, examined the air currents and atmos-
pheric conditions above the city, all of which
data is to be submitted to the Postoffice De-
partment for use in making up the routes
of the Air Mail Service.
Atlanta should lose no time in locating a
suitable piece of ground for landing field,
and if necessary should have it in readiness
for the use of the Government when the Air
Mail Service opens Preliminary investiga-
ton discloses the fact that several tracts in or
near the city can be made to fulfill the re-
quirements. 1t will not be necessary to have
a great tract like those required for aviation
training camps.
Evidently the government has fully made
up it's mind to go right ahead with the plans
for turning the great feet of airplanes and
the great corps of flyers into the practical
peace-time service of transporting mail. The
Postoffice Department recently notified the
War Department that it was ready to establish
at once about fifty Air Mail Service routes
employing one thousand aviators. The War
Department is bringing the men of the air
service back from Europe ahead of all others.
The Aero Club of America, which has head
in ic
who wish to enter the Air Mail Service.
In connection with this enrolment it de-
velops that several hundred military aviators
already have expressed desire to fly their
machines in the transport of mail. This
speaks we'll for the men and the service
Some had feared that the Air Mail Service
would seem rather dull to military aviators
in comparison with that grand combat for
which they had trained. But evidently they
are taking a practical and sensible view of
the matter. If they want to keep on flying
and what man would not, after having
taste OF its wonderful fascination?-here is
an opportunity to stay in the game and at
the same time stay in the service of the Gov
eminent.
1t will no doubt be the policy of the Post
Onlce department TO pay the AIR Mall SefV-
ice flyers good salaries, provide them with
attractive uniforms, stimulate competition
among them, relate them directly to the mill
tary establishment of the country, and build
up fine esprit de corps all of which will
be quite proper and useful.
A man who is capable of taking a ten
thousand-dollar flying machine with cargo
of important mail from city to city at speed
of a hundred miles an hour, flying in all
kinds of weather and landing amidst all
kinds of conditions, keeping his schedule,
putting his best brains and nerve into his
work, priding himself in the service and
watching for ways and means of improving
it constantly--such man must be above the
ordinary. He must be a perfect specimen of
manhood, must have fine mental equiv ment,
must be thoroughly trained in the use of his
machine, and must be perfectly poised and
resourceful.
The badge of the flyer in Uncle Sans Air
Mail Service ought to be as much badge
of honor as the two wings shining over the
heart of the military flyer.