Evening star., 1932-02-21
Is likely to lead to drastic and perhaps
unfortunate legislation"

Is likely to lead to drastic and perhaps
unfortunate legislation"
Similar kilograms were sent to Cord
by other Representatives, among them
]. o. Fernandez, Clyde Kelly, F. H. La
Guardia and Kent E. Keller. Cord has
replied to none of these kilograms.
One of the results of the Century
controversy may be to bar Cord from
airmail contracts, 1t has been mdl-
Gated. Cord startled the air transport
industry recently by Offering to carry
rates far below those which enable
present holders of contracts to exist.
His offer has not been accepted and.
unless the temper of many members OF
Congress changes, he may find himself
out of the running for mail contracts.
In view of reduction of passenger fares
on American air transport lines, 1t is
regarded as absolutely essential for
Cord to obtain some such source OF
revenue as that afforded by mail con-
tract if he is to continue in operation.
The attitude taken by at least some
members of Congress toward Cords air
mail offer since the pilot controversy IS
expressed by Representative Keller in a
telegram to Cord day or two ago.
Il have been impressed by the light
at a low figure" Representative Keller
telegraphed. but your present uncom-
promising attitude appears to me TO
SERIOUSLY endanger the good work that
YOU have already done, because it seems
that you expect to profit by these con-
tracts at the expense OF your employees
and at the evident risk of the lives OF
the public"
A Sporting Gesture.
II Is shining example of good
snortsmanship which will send the Cor
don Bennett international balloon race
to EUROPE this year. The United States
has two legs on the trophy, most coV-
eted of all world balloon prizes, and
victory this year would result in per-
manent acquisition of the cup by this
country.
Due to its last win, the United States
has the right to stage the race In TINS
country again this year. To hold the
race here would give the Americans a
decided advantage. They would ny
over terrain with which they are Ia
milSar and under weather conditions
known to them by long observation. Al
the same time, the European contenders
would be at q disadvantage, because OF
the expense and difficulty OF sending
balloons, supplies and crews across the
Atlantic.
Americans, therefore. cap be proud OF
the decision of their countrymen to
waive their rights to hold the race on
home soil. At the request OF the Amer,
ican delegate to the recent annual
meeting Of the Federation Aeronautique
Internationale in Paris. Basel, Switzer-
land. has been selected as the starting
point for this years race.
This action unquestionably Will re-
duce materially the number OF Amerl-
can competitors and as greatly increase
the number of European racing teams.
Under the circumstances, the chances
for American victory are much more
slender than If the race were held IN
this country.
Should an American team win the
final leg on the Gordon Bennett trophy
in face of the hardships imposed by
transfer OF the race to Europe. 1t Will be
a victory no one can begrudge the WIN
ners. They will have taken the trophy
the hard way" and only after giving
their opponents the benefit Of every
possible advantage Win or lose, the
American balloonists who enter the
Gordon Bennett this year deserve the
most whole hearted and enthusiastic
best wishes of their countrymen. II
they win, 1t will be glorious victory in
a long struggle among the worlds pre-
nlier balloon racers. Should they lose.
it will mean a prolonging of contest
around which cluster the highest tradi-
tons of clean, manly craftsmanship.
One of the three main purposes OF
the Watres airmail act. according to
Postmaster Gepera1 Walter r Brown