Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-06-15
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE
rnreirn Adxerffefn1 Renreaenfafiven


Countless millions of dollars are being poured into
air transport, and while practically ali air transPorta-
tion companies frankly admit that thus far their in
vestments have returned no profits they are conf
dent that in the near future the main air lines will
be paying greater dividends than did the railroads in
their heyday of prosperity.
One Of the most significant facts in connection
with air transportation financing is the confidence and
ENTHUSIASM Of those who are supplying the capital
Multi-millionaires, the countrys greatest railroads.,
conservative business men and transportation and
commercial leaders in all parts of the United States
are investing heavily, realizing that air transport Is
rapidly emerging from the experimental stage and
within a few years will assume premier position in
rapid transportation.
The history Of air transport so far has been a ne
plica Of the early days Of railroading. The first rail
lines proved poor investments from a financial point
Of view. but they were the basis for the great rail de-
vclopment that followed. The captains Of rail trans
port in the early days were the pioneers Of national
development. They were men Of vision; and while
many Of them failed to secure substantial financial
returns from their investment. they laid the ground
work for the huge fortunes later amassed.
However, conditions arc radically different from
these existing when railroads were first introduced.
The American public OF that time did not accept IN
~novations as do those Of the present day. Years were
required to educate the public to the use Of railroads;
whereas. the public IS now prepared to utilize air
transport as fast as the service can be established. IL
is true they have not been educated to its use as they
will in a few years, but where half a century was re-
quired to popularize the railroads only a few years
will be required to popularize air transport.
Conservative business men. realizing what the fu-
ture holds for air transport, are lavish in their in
vestments. They are not pouring their millions into
the business without first considering all the details
and hazards. They realize that the country Is ready
for the facilities the air lanes will have to offer and
that in the not far distant future air travel will become
more general than rail travel by the present generation.
Always now eAend to all parts Of the United States.
II Is true that facilities for handling passengers, mail
and express are still very crude; that adequate landing
fields are lacking, and that many Of the new airways
are ~unlighted. All these things are merely details 70
be worked out as air transport develops, and those
cities providing adequate. weli-lighted landing fields
will be the first to profit from the new method OF
transportation.
Less than a quarter of a century has elapsed since
the first frail, rickety planes took to the air. What
will be achieved in aviation in the next quarter Of a
century will far eclipse the achievements Of those
years. and air transport will be as firmly established
as rail transportation.