AIR MAIL OVER PACIFIC

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21580, 17 September 1935, Page 12

AIR MAIL OVER PACIFIC

❖ U.S. GOVERNMENT CALLS FOR TENDERS SAN FRANCISCO TO CHINA (raiTKD JEESS 48B0CUTI0K—COl'VBIOHT.) . WASHINGTON, August 12. Tenders for the proposed transPacific air mail service to operate once a week each way from San Francisco by way of Honolulu and Manila to Canton, China, were invited by the Post Office Department to-day. No intimation was given as to when the service might start over the route blazed by the Pan-Ameri-can Airways in the recent trial flights of its Sikorsky Clipper ships. The Postmaster-General, Mr James A. Farley, has been giving attention to details of the project on his trip to the West Coast and to Hawaii. Tenders close at noon on October 21. The contracts will run for 10 years, beginning at a date optional with the contractor, but not later than one year from the date of the award. Under the Air Mail Act, the maximum rates than can be authorised are two dollars a mile for the specified load aixl one dollar a pound for every thousand pounds in excess of the specified load.

Salary Limit Fixed By the act of June 16, 1933, no award can be made to any company that pays any salary; or salary combined with bonus, greater than £3500 annually. The tenders will first be considered by a committee consisting of the Secretaries of State, War, Navy, and Commerce, and of the AttorneyGeneral and the Postmaster-Gen-eral, since the object of the service is not only the transporting of mail but the promoting of mere friendly trade relations with the Far East. The final decision as to the awards will then be made by the Postmaster-Gofieral after he has examined the bidders' qualifications and* responsibilities.

Night Flying Possible With a service once a week each way specified, continuous flights as conditions permit will be required, with the possibility of both day and night flying. Provision is made for increasing or reducing this frequency and changing the route by adding or eliminating stopping points as well as for the suspension or, discontinuance of the service, as required by conditions. The specified load is 800 pounds with a provision far carrying excess mails offered. It is stipulated that the service shall be performed by fafe and suitable aircraft of the multi-engined seaplane type, capaable of sustained flight on 50 per cent, of the engine power at an altitude of 1000 feet. The machines must have a minimum approved cruising speed of not less than 125 miles an hour, a fuel reserve sufficient to allow for a 30-mile-an-hour headwind, plus one hour, and a minimum capacity for six passengers, and must be equipped with fireproof mail compartments. After four years of operation, if better machines are available, the contractor may be required to reequip the route, while the craft used must meet the Department of Commerce requirements. The carrying of passengers will not be undertaken until authority is granted by the Commerce Department, which will also consider on operating methods and safety 1 devices.

The contractor is to make arrangements at his own expense in obtaining concessions to operate, for landing facilities, lighthouses, radio stations and other aids to navigation. If the contract rates are too high in view of operating experience, they may be reduced at any time after the first five years, after a hearing by the Postmaster-General.