The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-25
No AviatOrs Show Up To Garry
n. Y.-ChicagO Mail.
WalkOut Is First of It's Kind In
Country.
ROW WITH P. 0. DEPARTMENT
Flyers Allege They're Subjected
to Unnecessary Dangers.
No CIeveland-tO-N. Y. Service
Means Big Tieup.



Washington, July 25.-An investi-
cation OF the charges that the post
office department failed to provide
mail aviators with modern safety de-
vices is asked in a resolution intros
duced in the house today by Repre-
sentative Ramsey. New Jersey.
New York. July 25.-A strike of
aerial mail pilots began today, no
aviator appearing to take out the
plane with Chicago mail due to start
for Bellefonte, Pa. at a. m.
The strike, the first of it's kind in
the country. follows the refusal OF the
postoffice department to reinstate two
pilots discharged for refusing to take
out planes Tuesday on account OF the
fog. Postoffice officers ut Belmont
Park. Long Island, the landing field
for mail planes. stated that they had
received Instructions to give out no
information concerning the aviators'
action.
Twenty Pilots Served Notice.
Twenty pilots had served notice on
Otto Praeger. second assistant post
master general, that unless the dis
charged pilots were reinstated they
would refuse to take the planes out
this morning. The discharged men
are Leon Smith and Hamilton Lee.
1t is understood the postoffice de-
partment contends the planes were
safe and that weather conditions were
good enough for scores of other avia-
tors to fly in this vicinity on the day
in question.
The pilots also have other grlev-
ances, alleging their machines are I'M
safe, that they have been refused nee
cessary safety appliances and that they
are given the same pay as mechanics
who do not risk their lives.
The aviators were confident their
strike would tie up both the New
York Washington and New York
Bellefonte- te-Cleveland- Chicago routes.
The birdmen. most of whom are for
mer army flyers. asserted that since
July 15. when series of heavy rains
i began there have been fifteen acci-
dents two of which resulted fatally for
Pilot McCusker and Pilot Sanborn.
They said their present machines have
a minimum speed OF 100 miles an hour
and low visibility" being dangerous
TO both pilots and public"
They ask slower and more stable
machines.
Cleveland Flyers Strike.
Cleveland, July 25.--No aviator re-
ported at Woodland Hills field up to
1880 O'Clock this morning to take out
the airplane with New York mail
scheduled to leave here at 7:46 a. m.
for Beliefonte, Pa. 1t is understood
that a meeting of the aviators was
held here last night and It was decided
not to report for duty this morning II
the New York aviators did not report.
Won't Reinstate Pilots? ..
Washington. July 25.-Postoffice Of
ficials today admitted that q strike of
air mail ayiators would probably mean
| a tie up Of the service between New
York and Washington until new pilots
can be obtained.
| Assistant Postmaster General Prae-
ger. in charge Of the service. declared
that the two pilots discharged would
not be taken back and added that
to go up other aviators were taking
up passengers for hire.
| The aviators. Praeger said. must
take mail up when the postoffice de-
partment has mail ready to 60
| Washington. July 25.-Whiie the
| Washington-New York air mail plane
left on time today. despite the strike
of pilots. the postoffice department
had no official reports at noon to
show that any others were in flight
A report from Chicago, however, said
the machines in the western division
were leaving on time"
Liable TO Arrest?
New York. July 25.--Striking aerial
mail pilots OF the pioneers In that
phase of labor and war, are liable to
arrest for violation of their oath of
office to the government. ID. (. Jour-
dan, assistant superintendent of the
New York postoffice, declared this
afternoon.
I