Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-12-20
AVIATION IN
MEXICO AIDED
BY LINDBERCH
Kill Also States Ban
dts Aided in Max
ing Mexico Become
More Air Minded

MEXICO CITY. Dec. 2o.--CF-
Mexican oil field bandits and Col.
Charles A. Lindbersh inspired the
ostablishment and development, re-
spectively, Of commercial aviation in
Mexico, although neither WIS aware
" the strange combination.
Commercial planes were first used
IN Mexico to avoid ban-.ts. Rcgu-
lar passenger and mail air services
evolved as n result of the great
aviation interest aroused throughout
Mexico by Lindbergh's nonstop
light from Washington to Mexico
City.
Millions of pesos for oil field
payrolls have been carried By air
from Tsmpico to camps throughout
the oil country, to the discontinue
81 the bandits. unwinged and impo-
tent, able only to stand on the
ground and stare hclplsssly at the
m~oney-laden messengers beyond
their grasp. This payroll service
continues.
Meanwhile. Lindbersh flew to
] Mexico. The country went wild
about aviation. George L. Rihl, an
American originally from Washing
ton, ID. c.. who had started the air
payroll service in the Tampico
fields, decided the impetus given
aviation by Lindbcrgh made oppor-
tune tho launching of regular pas
serer and air mail routes. His
Judment was justified.
The Mexican Aviation company Of
which he is president now operates
daily services between Mexico City
and Tampico and tri-weekly services
between Vera Cruz and Merida. II
\ hopes TO start another regular SER
vice between Tsmpico and Browns
vile. The Mexican government oper-
ates another air service between
Mexico City and Laredo.
If there had not been American
oil companies in the Tampico fields.
! ard if Lindbergh had not flown 10
Mexico, commercial aviation develop
ment would not have come here 80
\ quickly" Mr.. Rihl says.
The first commercial plane in
Mexican service made the first Mex
leo City : Tampico flight in Jsnu-
airy. 1922. and then began payroll
flights in the oil fields. During
The "boom" in the T~snpico fields in
1922 and 1928 ten payroll trips a
week were made from Tampico car
Tying 100000 pesos n week. About
three payrolls a week are carried by
airplane TO different oil camps at
present. Mr.. Rihl estimates that the
airplanes of his company have de
livered . total Of perhaps 10000
600 pesos 10 oil field camps for pay
! rolls.
There has only ben one loss. Sacks
containing $4,000 pesos we're once
dropped into a dense Jungle instead
of q clearing where the money
should have landed. That bit OF
Jungle since has been searched many
times. but the money has not besn
found. The ground is swampy, and
the treasure probably sank into the
mud and water.
In addition 10 delivering money
for payrolls airplanes carry tools.
equipment ard supplies from Tam
pico 10 the oil fields and make fire.
auent special flights with oil men
passengers to and from the fields.
Until L~indberSh came 10 Mexico
this was entirely q "ta5i service"
that is ono Of special trips, as or
dered by customers. not a reular
daily passenger schedule. This reg
ular service was inaugurated April
Is, 1928. between Tampico. Tuxpan
aud Mexico City. Then followed the
Mexican governments Mexico City
Laredo mail service. and next came
the Mexican Aviation compary's
Vera Cruz-Merids. Yucatsntri- week
~ passenger and mail service.