AVIATION IN AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 55, 28 November 1929, Page 15

AVIATION IN AMERICA

ACROSS THE CONTINENT IN SIXTY HOURS RAILWAYS FORCED INTO COMPETITION “Nothing in America is progressing as rapidly as aviation,” said Mr. Julian Foster, the American Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, yesterday to a “Dominion” reporter. “When I was last back home anyone would look up if there were two or three ’planes around, but that is all past. ’Planes are as common as motor-cars, or nearly so, and rubbernecking at them is a defunct recreation. Mrs. Foster and myself flew all over the place. You get to know that when taking in time as an economic factor air travel is as cheap as railway travel, and infinitely more comfortable and interesting. The modern air services are simply wonderful.” Across America In Sixty Hours. Do they compete seriously with the railways? he was asked. “To such an extent,” Mr. Foster replied, “that in self-defence, the railroad companies have developed air services of their own. The Pennsylvania railroad people have already a combination service—the T.A.T. (the trans-Atlantic transport) ; fly all-day, • sleep on railway trains at night—across America in two and a half days instead of four and a half days. It all counts with a busy man. “We travelled in big ■ tri-engined ’planes that carried fifteen passengers and staff in comfort. They are fitted with easy chairs, in which one can read, smoke or sleep in comfort. Good meals are served as required, and there arc all conveniences provided. In the case of the combined rail and ’plane services, regular and safe connections are made — you step from the ’plane into the Pullman, and off you go; and the next morning you leave the Pullman for the air. The variety is quite charming.. We flew from Los Angeles down to Agua Calcioute in Mexico, the new over-the- border town where the Californians go gay; and also to Seattle and Portland, those fine cities of one of the most beautiful parts of the States.” Man's Second Nature? “Aviation is becoming mail’s second nature in America.” said Mr. Foster. “We saw the Graf Zeppelin after she arrived from her trans-Pacific flight from Tokio (Japan); Now a company has a number of Baby Zepps flying about, mostly. round .Ohio, way, each carrying twenty passengers. What with the excellent weather reports now obtainable, travel in these airships is absolutely safe. Big Zepps are being built in America for a new service between San Francisco and Manila (in the Philippines). ■ No fewer than 12,000. private flying licenses were issued last year.” Wireless Telephone Carried. “Another innovation is the radio equipment of the latest passenger ’planes, which enables people to speak to their friends oil earth by wireless telephone. "The craze for big theatres in America has culminated in the erection of the auditoriums at Atlantic City (40 minutes by air from New York). This is a combination theatre-stadium which accomodates 60,000 people on four or live floors. Prinidrily it was built, I understand, to attract the big conventions to Atlantic City, but in the summer season of three mouths it is used .as ..a big vaudeville theatre. Three shows were running on different stages at the one time. Down below in front of us were a. troupe of ice-skaters-from Berlin; on a stage above was a great ballet, and above them again a company of comedians gave a "Fun on the Farin’ stunt. It was like the big-time three in one circus in theatre form.”