Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-01-29

pleted. In the majority Of instances
failure TO complete the flight through
to destination was due to the fact that
the route north of Pocatello is not
lighted and a late departure out OF
Salt Lake City, caused by waiting for
the transcontinental mail, resulted in
darkness stopping the flight short OF
its northern terminal. During the en-
tire year there vas but once that a
flight was cancelled. This occurred
in connection with the short flight
operating between Salt Lake City and
Pocatello. 1t is believed by officials
of the company that this record can
not but impress its patrons with the
reliability of air transportation and the
efforts which the company is making
TO give the best possible service.
Air Mall
During the year National Parks Air
ways carried 1850, 900 pieces of mail.
This figure gives some idea OF the use
which is being made of air mail. but,
at that, air mail felt the effect cf
general business conditions and showed
a loss In the poundage carried in COM
pariSon with 1929. Prpportionately,
however, air mail held up well as its
percentage Of decrease was less than
that Of other classes of mail. Replies
to missionaries recently sent out by
the various chambers of commerce in
dictated that practically every concern
and individual was making use Of air
mail and that they considered the Serv-
ice very valuable. 1t is the belief Of
the company that the use Of air mail
throughout this district could and
should be increased and that 1881 will
record a distinct gain over 1890.
Air Travel
The most encouraging development
was along the line Of air travel. Two
thousand, two hundred and seventy
six passengers were carried over Ma
tional Parks Always during 1890, as
against 1888 during 1929. The increase
in pay passengers over 1929 "a So
per cent. The use being made of the
air on long trips has been particularly
encouraging. Reduced rates on round
trips which have recently gone into ef-
feet on the Boeing line should further
stimulate this business.
Not only is the general fear Of air
transportation on the wane. accord
ing to company officials, but winter
flying is being regarded In 8 better
light and q steady increase In pas
sengers is noted over the cold months
of last year. This is stated to be due
to the fact that those accustomed to
air travel have discovered that the
heated cabins are comfortable at all
times.
Work on perfecting radio communi-
cation on all of the ships will be
pushed vigorously during the next few
months with the object OF having two
way radio communication in operation
before spring. One-way radio, landing
lights and flares have been installed
on all ships. The necessity for in
creased space has caused the building
of a large addition to the Butte
hangar. This Is now in process OF
construction.
President Frank Hopeful
Il believe that substantial progress
has been made in the development of
air transportation throughout the dis
trict served by our company" said
President Alfred Frank. Taking into
consideration the depressed business
conditions of the district we serve our
loss in mail poundage is explainable,
even though Disappointing. We are
assured that the service is proving
satisfactory and are confident that its
value, combined with improving bust
ness conditions, will produce a substan-
tial increase in air mail during 1881.
Our passenger business has made great
gains despite a general falling off in
travel and we are expecting almost
capacity loads during the coming year"