The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-03-08
Air Mail-Pa passenger Lines
Need Help From u. S. A.

In an effort to place before the
public the fact that the air mail
passenger lines of this country are
in dire need of legislative assistance,
the Natio1lal Parks Always, Inc,
quotes the following important brief
regarding air mail operations:
During the seven and one-half months
of 1884, the air mall companies lost ap-
cnt rates paid by the post office department
for carrying air mail continue during 1885,
the air lines of this country will lose an adj
ditlonal five million dollars. Practically all
companies find themselves in financial straits
so serious that some of the smaller companies
cannot possibly continue present operations.
panies are being constantly depleted. One of
the larger companies has cash available to
continue operations only four months.
president Roosevelt on February LIST, in
transmitting to congress the Federal Aviation
commission report, urged immediate action on
the mail rate situation to preserve efficiently
operated air transport units pending con-
slderatlon by congress of permanent legisla-
ton. The Howell Aviation commission. in its
report, specifically urged that the present
| congress take early action and call attention
to the financial difficulties Of air mail OPP
orators
This question concerns every city on
every air line in the country. National
Parks Always line cities are vitality in
terested in legislation which a insure
with some degree of certainty continu-
alton of air mail service. OF such i'm
portance is the matter, that it can not
be classed as a political question, but
rather takes its place as a matter OF
general public concern.
Immediate legislation must be en-
acted if the air transportation syS-
%o-, ~ %l,@ ~ ctotoe Or
stituted is to exist, says a statement
issued by the A~eronautical Chamber OF
Commerce to officials of National Parks
Always.
Losses of 5000. 900 on 90 out of 80
air mail routes. during the last seven
and one-half months of 1884 combined
with additional losses since. have so c.
pleted financial structures of the air-
lines that many of them have funds
available to continue operating on: d
short time. says the statement.
In urging immediate legislation ar
lines executives said President RcVs-
Welt and the federal aviation c0Mn:..>-
son III recent weeks have both rec%Nl-
Mendcd prompt action by congress.
The chamber S figures Were ODt4ln L
f-<M air mail companies reports to t."
post office department and rrprr>.Ht
tUr lie first tHrIe a consolidated I.!.,s:.-
cal statement Of the air mAil-pas>r!..'-
lines. Startling operating losses ar -
veaicd oE practically every airline
Another serious situation IS that =.
- days certain OF the present tcn.D =
airy ar mail contracts of some OF tnc
nations most important routes vii tH-
pire, with none of the other contracts t.
", I ,Na,nn it.n 1oonnJ. han "
New legislation is needed immeQ4utt.>.
the Statement said, to lay down a pv-
MaucNt policy under which aIrIA.
can plan the future of an industry rep
rescNtlng an investment in the United
States OF S26, 900 900 and affecting 25n.-
600 people.
Investment of domestic air rl,Il vp-
orators range from Sc, 900, 900 By Cnt O1
the larger companies to $50, 100000 the
chambers statement said. TWtEN-
zine out of 33 routes were operated
with a total loss of So, 1908, 900 tor the
seven and one-half months ending
Dec. 81. 10 "a. -Four small rolteS SHOW
ed a combined profit of s28. O00. One
of the larger companies lost app.OXl-
mately 25 percent of its entire capital
and two other large operators 10 and
10 percent respectively of their total in
veStmentS in the seven and one half
months period.
Several of the smaller operators are
suffering proportionately greater losses.
One operator with an investment of
500. 900 lost his entire capital and s7OO
additional. Another mail Garner with
an investment of S1O2,0 900 lost half If
this in the same period"
The chambers statement reveals that
one of the largest companies now car
rying mail has on hand only sufficient
cash to continue in business four
months, with a continuation of the
present month to-month losses. Figures
submitted by air mail operators flying