Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-24

0F the United States hadn't been so
Al hurriedly hurled into the fiery midst
Ill of the present war. it is beyond
the doubt of probability that the
country would now have certain aerial
meifroutes fairly wen established Otto
Praeger. second assistant postmaster
general. who is in charge of every
thing pertaining to aerial mail service,
is inclined to think so. He is heartily
enthusiastic over this new method of
mail transportation and gives gen.
title Endorsement to all practical plans
relative to this branch of the service
After the war Mr. Praeger believes the
development and extension of aerial
mail service will, without question. be
comparatively rapid
Owing to world hostilities aeronau-
tics have acquired veritable seven
league stride. and in the three and
5 half years of the war they have pro-
crossed prodigiously. War has given to
the world heavier-than-a plane
which can carry great weights. There
as-been a steady increase of control,
stability and speed. Aviation is great
science in itself. requiring considerable
more than average knowledge and
ability, nicely of calculation, an in
right amount Of caution. The last Is al,
important item, expert aviators de-
clare, for caution is an absolute essen
ttal, while a little too much caution is
disastrous. at least in battle.
= -.
After interminable delays and count
less-- disappointments. which have
arisen from a variety of causes. the
Post ONCE Department has announced
its intention of actually beginning the
transportation OF mail by aeroplane
from Washington to New York by way
of Philadelphia The plan will be put
into effect this spring. Congress was
induced to make the necessary appro-
prtation of s10o, 900. which sum, it is
thooght. will serve the purpose of pre-
liminaries- Congress, by the way, will
have under its Jurisdiction all air
tracks, as IL has those of lakes and
rivers In order to insure the practic-
ability of the undertaking, it was
deesaed advisable to discuss plans
Thoroughly with the national advisory
committee on aeronautics and several
recognized aviation experts before
calling for bids.
The Post Office Department has no
intention of conducting the aerial mail
service as an experiment anu Ohly
temporarily. 1t is to be the initial step
ina service that will become perma-
nent. There will be i've aeroplanes in
operation. These machines will be con-
structed by a reliable firm whose planes
have passed with entire satisfaction
the severe tests of aeroplanes accepted
by. the War and Navy departments.
The War Department has agreed to
tors for eQuipping the machines. Planes
for the aerial mail service will be de-
1ivered at destinations fixed by the
Post once Department not later than
the 25th of April.
The department concluded that it was
wise to make provision for additional
parts of the machines because of the
general wear and tear and the posi-
bility of accidents 1t should be an
moving in the extreme to be compelled
to wait for an extra piece to be man.
ufactured in case something gave way.
A.stxth plane is to be constructed and
held by the manufacturers until such
time as the department may need it.
The contractors are further requested
20 loan the government for the period
or three months a trained official. who
will supervise the first work in the
operation of the planes. He will de-
vote himself particularly to aeroplane
ayiators. 1t will not be in the least
necessary for the driver of the plane
10 be a postman. his duty will consist
merely of conveying a pouch of mail
Dave won his spurs as a birdman. He
VIII be expected to travel 200 miles
through the air without stop. He
wifi find himself in possession of
machine that will be capable of flying
'at a maximum speed, full load. Of
ISO miies; a minimum speed, full load
Of forty-five miles, climbing speed of
5000 feet in ten minutes"
Each machine will be easily capable
CT carrying 800 pounds of mail Two
l2urs and half will suffice to COM
plete the trip from Washington to New
Serk- This includes a short stop at
Ihfiadelphia- Landings will be made
a. Potomac Park in Washington,
=