San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-11

awarded the honor Of making the
greatest achievement in American
aviation in the year 1922 by the Ma
tional Aeronautic Association. Men
concerned with the progress of avia-
ton are also agreed in the opinion
that the air mail service, operating
the longest route in the world, is max.
ing the most remarkable demonstra.
ton of the commercial possibilities
of aircraft to be found in this coun-
try or Europe.
For making the greatest achieve.
ment in American aviation for last
year, by flying nearly 100000 miles
on the mail route without a single ia
tai accident, the personnel of the air
mail service were given the Collier
trophy, which goes with the award
Experiments looking toward the
establishment of night service on the
mail routes have reached q point
where postal officials are convinced
of the practicability of such service.
Night flying service between Chicago
and Cheyenne, Wyo., will make il
possible to send letters from New
York TO San Francisco in IS or 80
hours. Emergency landing fields
have been located every % miles on
the route between Chicago and Chey-
enne and beacons are being installed
on them to guide pilots. The date for
starting night service is set for early
summer.
"a new up-to-date airplane repair
and construction shop has been erect
ed on the Chicago air mail field"
Sesplanes to Havana.
Re-establishment of seaplane serv-
ice between Key West, Fla, and Ha-
vana. Cuba, took effect January IL,
OF this year. The trip to Havana, is
made six times weekly. Seaplane
service has been inaugurated between
New Orleans and Pilottown in order
TO make fast mail connections between
outgoing and incoming steamers. The
contract for seaplane service between
Seattle, Wash, and Victoria, British
Columbia, has been renewed.
Designs for a double mail box are
being made by the Postoffice Depart
ment to facilitate the handling of out
of-town and local mails. If further
experiments are as successful as those
already made on a business street in
Washington, single boxes will be re-
placed by double boxes in the business
districts of all large cities, the report
stated.
AN energetic campaign prosecuted
to protect the public from the crAsra-
ton of hundreds of new and unique
swindling schemes has resulted in the
arrest during the past fiscal year of
31J3 persons, Of whom, 1855 were
convicted on evidence secured by post
office inspectors. 1t is estimated that
during the present administration the
of arrests exceeds 5000, with
in excess of $500. While
it is impossible to estimate the amount
of money which would have been COL
lected by these fraudulent concerns
had they been allowed to continue TO
operate, the magnitude may be real
lied when it is stated that between
S75.000.000 and S10O,000,0O0 were
lnulcted from the innocent victims dur
ing one year by the schemers before
their arrest and conviction"
Blocks Rail Compensation.
Among the many other economies
by former Postmaster Gen
nral Work. was that resulting from
the determined and successful opposi-
ton of the Postoffice Department be-
fore the Interstate Commerce Com
mission against allowing additional
to railroads foe trans
of mails. A total OF S15,-
10000 was involved. An economy of
was effected though the
cancellation of four-year contract
or stamped envelopes, and the nego-
iation of a new contract. As result
IF the savings in all purchases of
supplies. unexpended appropriations
to S1,000,000 have been
returned to the public treasury and a
'eduction in an annual appropriation
Of 100000 has been made.
In many southern states. according
% the report. there were more Demo-
ratio than Republican postmasters
appointed. There have been 1891
lostmasters appointed since March 4,
1921, and Of this number 1920 were
ex-service men, 1911 were women, and
I'D were employees who were promoted
rom the ranks without examination.
There have been 11,069 fourth class
appointed, also.
The report deplores the present
method of appointing postmasters.
and states that the method is unsat-
Isfactory. both to the advocates of
civil service and those opposed to civil
service. The report makes the fol-
lowing recommendation
Should Not BE Political.
"The selection of postmasters by
the Postoffice Department itself, for
nomination by the President, is earn
estly urged. The postmaster appoint
ment should be no longer regarded as
a political perquisite. This depart
ment has become the business pride
Of the government. and should be con-
Quoted on modern business lines. Such
is impossible if is managers continue
to be selected. from those who apply
only, by officials not trained to APP
praise their qualifications for par
service and who never see the
applicants. The continuance of the
above referred to order Executive
order of May 10. 1921 will not har-
monize with the adopted business pol
icy impressed on postmasters."
The report also recommends the
restoration of pneumatic tube trans
mission of mail In big cities. A newly
organized engineering division in the
department is at work. the report
says. in considering the question of
utilizing subways or overhead transit
for mail in volume. Tube transmission
is now in actual service at New York.
Tests ore also under way TO deter
mine whether or not hamper baskets
can be substituted for the unsatis-
factory canvas sack or pouch for
transportation of parcel post pack
ages.