Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-02
.[|NDBERGH SEES
1 1880 AIR PROGRESS
South America Is Becoming
Air-Minded Faster Than
U. S., He Thinks.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ST. LOUIS, January 2.-Science ir
flying kept we'll abreast Of other prog
.ress and development in both NORTH
and South America in 1929, in the
opinion of Col. Charles A. Lindbergh
tinue at the present rate, and perhaps
at more rapid pace in 1880.
PauSing here over New Year day or
q flight across the country with Mrs
Lindbergh. the transatlantic flyer con-
ferred with officials of the Transconti-
mental Air Transport, Inc. with which
he is connected, paid a surprise visit
to a historical memorial maintained
here in his honor, and in an interview
took stock of the status of aviation.
Does Not Fear Slump.
He could see no cause for alarm in
reports of a current slump in the avn
alton industry, but felt it was due to
a seasonal slackening in the demand
for planes and also to new features
and improvements to be embodied in
new models to be turned out this year
In engineering and structural improve
ments, he said. new planes and equip
ment will in the future be greatly in
advance of the present types. Labora-
tory development. he added, is far
ahead of construction.
Col. Lindbergh said he believed that
commercial aviation, particularly in
passenger transport lines, has developed
in America to the point where it COM
pares favorably with European airlines.
He said he was especially impressed
with the possibilities of aviation in
South America, and incidentally. an
nOunced his intention of flying again
to that country at some future time.
He added. however, that he has no
definite plans at this time for such a
flight.
South America Passing u. S.
I He expressed belief that South Amer
ica is developing air-mindedneSs more
rapidly than the United States and said
ut affords excellent opportunities in avi-
alton because of its geographical con-
sdition and because airlines now do
mot have to compete with highly de-
lVeloped railroad systems.
Z He said, however, that passenger air
travel is growing each month in the
Omitted States and that he sees no rea-
son why it should pot continue.
3 The development of radio connections
with airplanes was viewed by the colo
mel as an outstanding recent develop
ment in aviation passenger lines. The
successful use Of radio as a means Of
direct communication by voice with
airplanes in flight over a distance of
Hundreds of miles will, he believes,
prove great boon to air travel
Night Schedules Coming.
! The T. A. r, of which he is chair
man of the board of directors, is look
ing forward, Col. Lindbergh said, to
inauguration of night schedules as its
next principal development. Main
tenance of night schedules over the
transcontinental route, he pointed out,
would greatly speed up air travel.
Thorough study now Is being given to
this subject as well as to other matters
looking to program of expansion, he
said. and it will be developed as rapidly
IS possible. He intimated that estab-
lished night passenger schedules may
be expected this year.
Col. and Mrs. Lindbergll, who were
guests of st. Louis friends during the
day. expect to resume their westward
journey tomorrow on an inspection trip
OF the T. A. T. line. The colonel said
he plans to continue flying this year
much as he has in the past and that
he expects to keep closely in touch with
the T. A. T. lines during the year, max
ing frequent inspection flights over the
transcontinental route.