Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-06-10

mental routes give definite assur-
| ance that postal service via the
air will soon be extended through
out practically the entire United
States, with the promise Of extern
sions to Alaska and the West In
dies. The air mail is now carried
by the Curtiss, Standard and L-7T-
F-De HaviIand planes, with the
trend for the future toward the
multiple-motored machine capable
of making nonstop runs by night
for distances at least the equiva-
lent OF the 800 miles from New
York to Chicago. The prospect for
4O-hour mail service from Hell
Gate to the Golden Gate by next
spring is said to be encouraging.
Companion commercial service to
the construction and operation If
mail ships is found in the carriage
Of package and express matter.
One of the internationally known
express companies is preparing for
such an undertaking. One airplane
company is figuring on long-dis-
lance movement of securities and
bank papers on which interest is
drawn and the quick exchange Of
which is consequently matter of
dollars. Commercial airplanes now
under construction provide, in most
instances, for the carriage of pack
ages as well as passengers, just as
interurban cars divide valuable
space.
Il has been demonstrated that
large airplanes have an increased
lifting power per square foot. Ma
chimes with at least two motors.
and capable of carrying upward Of
two tons, are going into the freight
business. A profitable field, it Is
declared, is being developed, first,
where speed is the controlling fac
tor, or. second, where existing
transportation is unsatisfactory
Thus, several American companies
are negotiating for service in the
western, southwestern or Mexican
mining and oil regions, and in the
plantation district of Central and
South America. accessible up to
now only by river boat. If ole
airplane cannot carry as great a
load as boat small enough to
navigate some of the shallow South
American streams, 1t can make the
trip in two hours, whereas days
are required under the old method.
Depends on Safety.
Passenger carrying depends on
the element of safety provided, as
has been pointed out by Orville
Wright. This factor, in turn, de-
Ponds largely on public support,
expressed in the develcpm OF
an adequate policy calculated to
encourage this newest Of American
industries and also in the estab-
lishment OF municipal landing
fields. AS mechanical DEVELOPMENT
proceeds, machines become more
stable, and as terminals are pro-
vided the danger OF forced land
ings is reduced. Increased patron
age from those who desire to move
from place to place with great
speed or who wish to fly for pleas
ure, thus becomes certain. assuIn-
ing popular support is found in
America as it is in Europe.
The airplane and the hydro-air-
plane provide the keenest of thrills
to the sportsman grown somewhat
weary of motor car or motor boat
and the development of flying as
sport has already progressed 90
far as to assure a definite place
for aerial events in the "derbies"
Of the future. Gentlemen's scout
planes and Eydro-airplanes are
now being made to order just as
roadsters have been custom-built.
The commercial use of the flying
machine in surveying, mapping,