Pueblo chieftain., 1921-06-28
BY frederic ]. Haskin.

1
Washington. D. C.. June 2s.-Just as
the official axe is about to chop off
| the stunted wings of the Air Mail
Service. due to congressional failure
| to provide funds for the continuance
| of the short-lines, the air mail attains
lno per cent performance on all divis-
ions for tho first time in its three
year history.
Almost coincidcnt with the achieve
ment of that ideal performance record.
Postmaster General Hays announces
the appointment of Carl r EEEt.
former superintendent of the Mime
apolis Air Mail Station. to the office
of general superintendent of the en-
tire system. Tho EgEe has had so
years experience in the postofficc de-
partment. having risen to his present
position thru the grades of railway
mail clerk and inspector. he is man
without flying record
How docs this new Superintendent
look upon the further development of
| the overhead postal methods
As he steps into Office. he faces
rather gloomy outlook. In a few weeks
the transcontinental route from New
York 10 San Francisco will be the only
mail airway maintained by the gov
| ernment. and vet EEgc does not feel
discouraged over the prospects
| II believe in tho air mail" he de-
clsrcs. 1T is past tho experimental
stage. and It's dcvclor ment. tho tenn
porartly blocked. will come despite tho
discontinuance of tho fcw short-lincs
VIC had already established"
| Essc believes In the air mail. bu.
his training in postofYicc affairs also
makes him a Arm believer in the dis
patch Of mail today ar well as in tho
future. something which the public
may greet with certain relief.
| shor,-Iine. Not Needed
I He docs not worry ,hou. tho dIarop
/ tiruancc OF the shor. lines. because
there has nccr derived from them no
special benefits for the communities
which they served. EEEc observes the
passing of tho Washington to- New
York. the Chicago to Minneapolis. and
tho Chicago to ST. LOFTS runs without
| great regret. for II was no, tho main
tonarce Of these sort-lines which has
been tho aim Of tho department. These
short hops were originally started
as tho first legs Of what the depart
| mcnt had planned to make an olahor-
ate network OF long distance routes
l Lack Of funds prevented the compile
/ ton of the original plans and now 50
threatens TO block development for
I sometime n the future that II has
hcen deemed sdviEahie to abandon,
temporarily, at least. hopes for large
scale operation.
The trans-con tirontsl service. how
ever. continues TO beat real delivery
7
/ tiruanco. and II will b. continued uu-
der appropriation made by congress.
Ariators and mechanics on tho dig
| continued routes will he Transferred to
tho trans-con'incrtsl routes and an far
as possible utilized on regular work or
on the reserve list. Equipment will
likewise be Utilized on the crpss-cour-
| try air line
! Development Of ,h,. lone run will
undoubtedly provide for all tho OK
/ nerimentai needs Of the service. and
AZ tho same time permit men on this
route. with the total III planes Of tho
department at their ditpossl. to .+tah-
/ lish record Improvement in aerial dis
patch.
/ Tho losy NJ 10 lives during tho pss,
I ycar-l8 pilots. mechanics and ono
official. almost twice rs many as for
tho first two vcar--fss heon a dis
tressinE feature or tho dcveiornert
Of tho air mail But authorities while
pointing out that every effort is being
made 10 improve devices and airpisrc
rncchanism which will prevent as far
as possible these unfortunate accidents.
likewise call attention to tho fact that
every great advance In science IL like
" to claim souic ton Of human life. At
least each accident ard every oxpcr-
icnce In cross-courtry ryirr inrrea se-
tho knowledge Of aviation both for war
and for commercial 'yinE
The Increased loss of life this has,
year has been due to certain extent
10 the Erea. hazard Of operating the
trans-c continental route which crosses
| Two mountair ranges Seven Of the
/ fatalities we're due to defective
/ mechanism n certain tyre Of piare
! which has been discarded. and six or-
CURED whils tho victims were no, en-
Eased In handling mail either on the
field or in the air
| rtiots Adventures
| Pilots have never been required b,,
the postoffice depa Vnnent to start on
/ their trips under Weather conditions
that VIII en1anEer their lives. hu, ,h.y