Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-22
CONTROVERSY SEEN
IN A|RMA|L AWARD
Post Office Expected to
Abandon WaShington-N Norfolk
Airway and Give Contract.

Another of a series of controversies
which for many months have disturbed
relationship between the Post Office De-
partment and the aviation industry was
seen today when it was learned the
department is expected to abandon the
Washington Norfolk airway laid out
and equipped by the Department of
Commerce for night flying. and to award
a contract to Eastern Ar Transport for
airmail service between Richmond and
Norfolk
In preparation for the anticipated
contract, Eastern Air Transport, now
holding a monopoly of airmail business
along the Atlantic Coast, will inaugu-
tate passenger service between Rich
mond and Norfolk tomorrow. flying two
rounds trips a day and making direct
connections at Richmond with north
and south bound planes on the coastal
run through Washington.
The Westinghouse airway was
developed by the Department of Com
merce at the request of an interdepart-
mental committee, upon which the Post
Office Department was heavily repre-
sented. with the understanding that
airmail service was to be inaugurated
over the line as an extension of the
existing Cleveland-Pittsburgh Washing
ton airmail service.
Airway Idle for Months.
For several months after its COM
pletion last Spring the airway lay idle
The beacon lights and lighted inter-
mediate fields. though ready, were not
used. The lights were turned on regu-
larly about two weeks ago when the
Ludington Line, operating hourly pas
senger service between Washington and
New York, opened passenger service be-
TWEEN Washington and Norfolk over the
new airway, with the hope of bidding
for an airmail contract.
The announcement of opening of
passenger service by Eastern Air Trans
port, between Richmond and Norfolk.
Is taken in local aviation circles to
mean an agreement has been reached
between the airmail operators and the
Post Office Department that an air.
mail contract will follow Under the
terms of the Watres airmail bill, the
Post Office Department can award the
contract to Eastern Air. without bids
or competition, as an extension" of
its existing service.
Flying of alrmail over the Richmond
Norfolk route probably will begin with
in three weeks, it was admitted today
by Earl Wadsworth, superintendent of
contract airmail for the Post Office
Department. Eastern Air Transport
headquarters in New York, over long
distance telephone, said Inauguration
of airmail service on the line was ex-
pected soon after the beginning of
passenger service tomorrow.
Says Picture Is Changed.
Admitting it was too bad" the air.
way had been lighted between Wash
ington and Norfolk instead of between
Richmond and Norfolk, Mr.. Wadsworth
explained the change of policy of the
Post Office Department on the route by
saying the picture has changed since
the inter-departmental board submitted
its recommendations, as a result of
which the airway was developed and
lighted.
When the airway was developed"
Mr.. Wadsworth said, the expectation
was that the Cleveland Pittsburgh
Washington r line eventually would be
extended through to Norfolk. The de-
velopment of air mail and passenger
service up and down the Atlantic
Coast; however, makes it advisable to
make the connection at Richmond, the
Postmaster General believes"
The Washington Norfolk route would
make an ideal connection for the de-
velopment Of airmail service to the
North, Mr.. Wadsworth said, but would
make an exceedingly poor connection
for service to the South. The connec-
ton at Richmond, he said. would make
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