The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 20th, 1925. COMMERCIAL AIR PLANE ERA DRAWING NEAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 20th, 1925. COMMERCIAL AIR PLANE ERA DRAWING NEAR.

CoMMiUKi.u. aviation is beginning to assume a practical plia.sc. Occasional experiments haves how n that the idea is feasible from the .standpoint of economy, or rather is feasible when * speed in delivery is to he considered above .slower transportation. The transcontinental mail service extending across three thousand miles of territory in the United .States, says a New York paper, is proving its value to the Inisij ness world, as are the passenger, mail and express lines between London and Dan's and other points in Europe. Interest. has been revived in ttir flight deliveries by the inauguration of a special air service between the Ford plants in Detroit and Chicago. The machines used are of a new construction, the metal typ« having been looted. These machines carry less than a ton of revenue-prod ueing weight, lint current reports are that there is no lack of cargo. The Fords state that while the present Hying is an experiment, their intention is to go rather heavily into the manufacture of commercial airplanes, with the idea- of extending the service both under their own auspices and by the sale of planes to other parts of the country. The intention is to manufacture both ‘'truck” and passenger machines to meet every need. With facilities for mass production such as have made the Ford car almost universal, the cost will he brought wihin very reasonable figures, and with a guarantee of durability and economical operation. It is becoming apparent to experts who are studying the problem that the dirigible* will also have its place in lie new world of transportation. To make predictions is unsafe, but there is every reason to believe that dirigibles will he employed in trips between the United States and England, within a reasonable time. In fac t, there is almost an absolute certainty that this will soon !>e true. Some rather interesting estimates have been forthcoming as to cost per passenger on trips of this sort, and to make the matter as plain as possible, one estimate has placed the cost at soniehing like a pound sterling or five dollars per pound of passenger. This would mean an initial fare of approximately £l5O for a one way trip, including, of course, subsistence anti all accommodations, hut a saving of at least three or ; four days in time as contrasted with 1 an ocean voyage. This cannot he pro- ■ nouneed prohibition from a cost stand- : point, for the business man sometimes, i and in fact quite frequently, pays that 1 for superior accommodations on an t ocean-going vessel of the first-class, f Mail, express or freight matters would e

be handled much more economically, because cf saving in space and the nonexpenses, such as subsistence service. attendants, etc. The? United States Mail is now carrying between .Yew York and San Francisco—a distance of over .1.00!) miles—first class matter itt .something around live dollars per Pound, on a thirty-live hour schedule. This trip involves expensive airplane upkeep, v. iih a number of changes of operators, etc. A irans-oeeanic voyage would be. or oughi to he. much less expensive than the laud operated route. A\ iih the inauguration of aninteniatioiiii! air service Kuglaud and the I nit cm] States will he drawn closer (ogetln-r than heretofore, not- only in actual commercial contact hut in an additional measure of goodwill and sent intent.