Evening star., 1927-04-18
MEN AND MONEY
By III. S. Rukeyser.
(Copvright. 1877

l iNODYFlguk. AS~tsi 1
Television and radio have taken the
airplane out of the wonder class, and
the next phase Of airplane develop
ment is likely to be commercial, rather
than scientific.
The infant airplane industry in the
United States is currently growing
more rapidly than at any time since
OrvilIe and Wilbur Wright first de-
monstrated to a world of skeptics on
December II, 1903, at kittyhawk,
y. c., that a heavicr-than-air machine
could float in the ether.
/ asked Charles l.. Lawrence, presi-
dent of the Wright Aeronautical Cor
poration of Paterson. n. j., and one
of the outstanding figures in the in
dustry, to explain why Americans
were becoming airminded.
Il would say the youthful exeCu-
tive replied, that the factors which
are quickening the development of
practical aviation in the United States
are the improved quality of the
engines which have been developed
since the war, which makes flying
safer and more desirable, the inn
proved performance Of airplanes, and
the arousing OF interest Of capital in
this form of transportation"
Lines Now in Operation.
/ next asked Mr.. Lawrence to
enumerate the principal airplane lines
now in operation in the United States.
He formulated the subjoined list:
Boston-New York, Colonial Air
Transport.
Chicago.St. Louis, Robertson Air
craft Corporation.
Chicago-D Dallas. National Air Trans
port.
Salt Lake City-Los Angeles, Western
Air Express,
salt Lake City-Pasco, Walter r. Var
ney
Detroit Cleveland. Henry Ford.
Detroit Chicago, Henry Ford.
Seattle-Los Angeles, Pacific Air
Transport.
Chicago-St. Minneapolis, North
west Always.
Atlanta Miami, Florida Always.
Cheyenne-Pueblo, Colorado Airways
Mr.. Lawrence also revealed that the
following additional lines have been
projected:
The new air mail line between At
1anta and New York, the contract for
to the Pitcairn Aviation Co. of Bryn
Athyn, Pa.
The air mail line between Chicago
and New York. This contract has
been awarded to National Air Trans
port, Inc.
The air mail line between Chicago
and San Francisco, for which the con-
tract has been awarded TO the Boeing
Afrplane Co.
A projected line from New York to
Albany, joining at Albany another
line from Boston to Buffalo. This is q
project of Colonial Air Transport.
Air Mail Line between Cleveland
and Pittsburgh, awarded to Clifford
l.. Ball of McKeesport, Pa.
/ asked Mr.. Lawrence whether the
active entrance of the Ford Motor Co.
into the field of airplane building and
operation was a primary factor in the
quiekening OF popular interest in the
new industry.
Ford Attracts Attention.
"I do not know" he said, whether
the entrance of the Ford interests
into aviation indicates more rapid
popularization of the airplane, as /
believe the airplane would become pop
uIar for transportation irrespective
of the Ford activities, but Ford's
entry into the field has undoubtedly
attracted the attention of business
men, who for this reason will no doubt
feel more willing to invest capital in
this industry. l believe it will be only
a few years before the number of reg
ular passenger air routes will be run
ming into the hundreds.
with regard to individual flying,
1 am very skeptical as to whether this
win grow rapidly with our present
equipment, and / believe that COM
mercial transportation through the
medium of air transport companies
viii advance much more rapidly than
the use of airplanes by individuals.
"Thes chief obstacle to widespread
passenger flying in the United States
is the cost. Passengers demand O
certain degree Of comfort and room to
move about. AS none of our airlines
are subsidized, as they are in Europe.
the carrying mail and express, which
are more profitable, and are taking
passengers only occasionally. In parts
of the country where railway facilities
are very good. travel by air is of no
economic value. except for very long
distances, which, of course, is just
where comfort becomes most requisite
In special cases. where railroad con-
nections are poor, passenger carrying
is already developing"
Long Term Outlook.
I then asked Mr.. Lawrence to give
his opinion of the long term outlook
of this new and developing industry.
''In the next 10 years the airplane
industry win no doubt grow to very
considera BILE proDortionS and in the
next 90 years ii will become very
large, indeed. In order for airplanes
to be sold on large scale, the public
will have TO be educated in their uses,
they will have to be larger and more
comfortable, if they are to carry pas
sengers: radio direction aids must be
developed sd that flying can be done