Evening star., 1943-08-13
Army Seeking Ways
To Bolster Equipment
For AirmaiI Service =
Reduction of Short Lines
Suggested to Speed Plane
Trips Across Country

Airmail volume has more than
doubled in the last year, even
though half the commercial trans
ports were taken by the Army for
military purposes, it was learned to-
day as the War and Postoff1ce De-
partments sought ways to return
more planes to civilian air lines.
A system of priorities is being
studied, with the Army maintaining
that abandonment of air service on
short runs having fast train sched-
ules would bring about improve
ment on transcontinental routes.
Two Factors Cited.
AS military authorities nourished
the hope that, by the end of this
year, it could return to air lines
additional transports amounting to
10 or Is per cent of the number now
in airmail service, two factors we're
outstanding: 3
/. Purchasers of airmail stamps
are paying premium, IN numerous
instances, for speedy service they
don't get.
2. Families of some 1000, 900 serv-
icemen outside the continental
United States use air mail, largely
to speed letters to loved ones. a
condition which has aggravated the
overall air-mail problem.
Post. Office Takes Blame.
It's own military needs, the Army
maintains, have prevented the re-
lease of more than nine transports
since larger number were pressed
into military service. The Post
Once Department, on the other
hand, is said to feel that it will
bear the brunt of criticism over a
breakdown in service which has
| caused air mail and air express to
be rerouted over slower transporta
ton routes.
While emphasizing the situation
Is one they did not create and cam
not control, Post Office officials saw
few complaints have been received
for charging premiums for service
not rendered. They also point out
that from S to per cent of air mail
was diverted to other transporta
ton channels even in normal times
due to bad flying weather.
Admitting that cases of serious
delays have been encountered anc
that the situation needs improve.
ment, the Post Once spokesman in.
sisted that most airmail is being
delivered on time.
! No effort has been made to dis.
courage purchase of airmail stamps
such as posting notices in post
offces calling attention to the over
load already being handled by re.
/ ouced air transport and urging use
OF other forms of transporta tior
where the utmost speed isn't
I essential. it was conceded.
The public feels, we believe. that
for its scent airmail stamp it is
getting the best possible service
under the stress Of war conditions. ,
the Post Off1ce spokesman con
tipued
/ A system of priorities would be
difficult to maintain, it was said
Airmail emanating from war indus
tries and troop concentration point,
and Government war agencie.
should receive priority over per.
sonal or business letters, it wa!
agreed. Executives could appeal tc
their employees not to use airmai
unless necessary, 1t was pointec
out.
Production Is Vital Factor.
From the Army's point of view
the speed with which increased
plane production Is achieved is tn,
determining factor in returning t,
commercial air lines equipmen
needed for civilian airmail.
Discussing priorities, an Arm,
official said:
We have suggested that airmai
routes between short points havin,
adequate train transportation, sucl
as Washington and New York
might be dropped in order to con
centTate on the long hauls from
coast to coast, where the time in
volved is an important factor. TIL,
key routes are known. We knov
and the Post Once Department
knows where the bottlenecks exist
The same official made it plair
that transports returned to air line
probably would be in groups of twt
to three, not as many as 10 at I
time. He added, however, that tn,
addition of three planes to a Ike,
route would make a tremendous diff
ference.
Some planes will be returned t,
air lines within a few weeks, and +,
larger number by the end OF thi
year, he said,