Evening star., 1934-03-10
Assurances Recalled.

In announcing the curtailment,
Stephen Early, a secretary to the
President, stated the action was the
result OF the loss of 10 lives in the
l9 days in which the Army has been
flying the mails.
He recalled that assurance was CIV
en- by the Army when it took over
the alrmail service that it could safely
undertake the job, but he said Mr..
Roosevelt regarded the casualties as
far too great.
Early said the President recognized
the Army flyers had been faced with
unusually severe and adverse weather
condl1onS-but nevertheless he was
aroused by the deaths.
AT the War Department at the same
time was going on a conference be-
tween Secretary Dern. Assistant Sec
retary Woodring and Charles A. Lind
bergh on the subject of Army aviation
IN general. 1t appeared clear that,
although airmail might have been
touched on indirectly, it was not the
primary topic.
In Congress, meanwhile, House
Democrats for a second consecutive
day blocked Republican attempts to
start discussion of the fatalities.
Text of Roosevelt Order.
The order of curtailment will be
issued by the Secretary of War, to
whom President Roosevelt today sent
the following letter:
MY Dear Mr.. Secretary.
"On February the Army Air Corps
was given the temporary assignment
of carrying the airmail and COM
menced the actual carrying on
February 20. This action was taken
on the definite assurance given me
that the Army Air Corps could carry
the mail.
Since that time 10 Army flyers
have lost their lives l appreciate that
only four of these were actually flying
the mail, but the others were training
or were proceeding to the mail route
/ appreciate also that almost every
part of the country has been visited
during this period by fog, snow and
storms, and that serious accidents,
taking even more lives. have occurred
at the same time in passenger and
commercial aviation.
Nevertheless. the continuation of
deaths in the Army Air Corps must
stop
We all know that flying under the
best OF conditions is a definite hazard,
but the ratio of accidents has been
far too high during the past three
weeks.
viii you therefore please issue i'm
mediate orders to the Army Air Corps
stopping all carrying of airmail, except
on such routes, under such weather
conditions and under such equipment
and personnel conditions as will insure
as far as the utmost care can provide
against constant recurrence of fatal
accidents
Will Speed Legislation.
This exception includes, of course,
full authority to change or modify
schedules.
AS you know. the period of emer-
gency Will end as soon as the neces-
Sary legislation has been enacted and
new contracts can be obtained. l am
writing once more to the chairman of
the House and Senate committees
urging speed in the enactment of the
legislation. Because military lessons
have been taught us during the past
few weeks, request that you consult
Immediately with the Postmaster Gen
eral and the Secretary of Commerce
In order that additional training NAV
be given to Army pilots through CO.
operation with private companies who
later on will fly the mails. This
should include, of course, training in
cross-country flying, in night flying,
blind flying and instrument flying.
am Seding copy of this letter
10 the Postmaster General in order
that ne may make arrangements with
you. He will, of course, modify the
instructions given on February Q to
confirm with the Army plans
VERY SinperaIr