Evening star., 1945-08-12

leeQer service "a term uSeQ 10 QeSlg-
nate airline operations other than long
haul or trunk service. They would
give community to community serv-
ice supplementing, and feeding pas
sengers into, the major lines. They
would connect towns and cities between
25 and Is miles apart, compared to the
$50 to 400 mile flights of the major
lines.
There's no telling yet what the rates
would be. A CAB survey estimated
passenger charges might average S
cents mile. One Maryland line which
has made application says its rate will
be cents mile. Final determination
will depend on the size of the plane
(single or twin motoreO and whether
the line wins an airmail contract.
In the latter instance one large
factor is the question of whether all
first-class mail eventually will be air
mail Some discussion of the problem
already has been heard, but final de-
cision rests with Congress. 1t may be
that Congress will extend tine airmalI
service. thus granting subsidies to as
sure development of strong national
air network.
Applications Are Numerous
Final action on these applications
still is quite way off. In the case of
lineslseeking interstate franchises moth
ing final appears likely before next
year
All interstate service falls within the
jurisdiction of the CAB Purely intra-
state operations are supervised by
State boards and commissions. In Vir-
ginia, the State Corporation Commits
sion grants franchises, in West Virginia
and Maryland the Public Service Com
mission have regulatory powers
In the case of interstate franchises
the CAB has been confronted with such
a mass of applications that the Nation
has been broken up into regions and
applications within each region con-
solidateo for joint hearing In this
way prospective lines are matched
against each other to avoid duplication
OF service and insure lowest possible
cost to the public and the most eff
cient connecting system.
Under this system the southeastern
States Case" was heard recently in
Greensboro, N. C. This case included
Virginia and West Virginia applica-
tions. CAB examiners now are prepar-
ing report and recommendations.
When submitted each applicant will be
allowed to submit objections and rebuff
tails, and rehearing may be ordered in
the case of certain applicants. The
entire report then will 90 before the
CAB for final decision. 1t is doubtful
whether the situation will be resolved
and actual service set up before an
other year has passed.
Other Hearing Due
The Middle Atlantic States Case"
which will cover Maryland Delaware.
Pennsylvania and other States, has not
yet reached the hearing stage
However ponderous this procedure
appears, it nevertheless assures one
thing. When approved lines 20 into
operation they will not be unsafe, shoe
string concerns operated by enthusiast
tic, but inexperienced persons. Appli-
cants must prove adequate capitaliza-
ton, satisfactory operating procedure
and experienced management.
All applications for helicopter service
appear to be shelved for the time being,
however, for the CAB in Docket No. 857
indicates that only applications which
are based on immediate ability to begin
operation will be considered at this time.
Maryland Plans
Maryland has no airlines in operation
yet, but one applicant-P Maryland
ArWays. Inc, Baltimore-already has
had a preliminary hearing before the
State Public Service Commission
The hearing, held July "a, made it
plain that at least three other lines are
planning operations. They are Colum-
bla Airways, Inc, headed by L. O. Boni-
FAY, and White Airlines, Inc, headed by
Edwin White, an aeronautical engineer.
Both firms have headquarters in Balti-
more. In addition Red Star Motor
Coach Lines, Inc which now operate
along the Eastern Shore, indicated it
wants to establish, air service over its
present routes.
Pan-Maryland, headed by G. B. Fem
wick, already has filed with the State
Aviation Commission for the following
routes: Route l, Baltimore, ANNAPOLIS.
Easton, Cambridge, Salisbury, ocean
City; Route 2, Baltimore, Westminster.
Frederick, Hagerstown, Cumberland:
Route 3, College Park, Baltimore Giving
INTO the other routes, Havre de Grace,
Bel Air.
Mr.. Fenwick plans to use three-pas-
senger TaylorGaft monoplanes, which
will cruise at lis miles per hour. He
testified passengers would pay approxi-
mately 6 cents mile.
( The Public Service Commission indi-
Gated it will hold a consolidated hearing
soon, at which time routes will be ap-
portioned In much the same manner as
in a CAB hearing.
State Officials Puzzled
Maryland officials admit franklv that
jurisdiction over intrastate air travel
presents new and puzzling set of prob.
lens. Like most other States where
feeder airlines were nonexistent before
the war, Maryland has no set of criterja
by which to judge the applications.
Frankly. we don't know yet Just what
will be required" Frank Harper, Public
Service Commission executive secretary.
told the Associated Press recently.
After we have completed hearings on
these first applications we will be in a
better position to judge"
Until the commission sets UP its own