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Across the Atlantic... A Different Adventure - Part III
A New Challenge: The 1925 Air Mail Act
Under the management of the Post Office Department, the aerial postal service continued to grow until 1925. At that time, Congress decided that the pioneer days were over, and the aerial postal service had to be privatized. Congress was strongly influenced by railway lobbying: with the increase in the volume of airmail, the rail postal service was beginning to fear the efficiency of its new competitor.
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Douglas M-2 Airplane
Harris Hanshue, founder of Western Air Express, handing the mail to Fred Kelly, his Chief Pilot and Operations Manager. Western Air Express chose the Douglas M-2 airplane for its flight range and its ceiling.
Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Libraries |
Up to this point, the Post Office Department was not showing any profit, while the rapid growth of the aerial postal network called for substantial financing. Expenses were exceeding profits. In response to political pressure, on February 2, 1925, Congress passed the Air Mail Act, which had been proposed by Clyde Kelly, a congressman known as "the voice of the railway mail clerks."
The aim of this new Act was to establish secondary sections that would connect the already existing transcontinental line. The financing of new lines greatly enhanced development of the U.S. aeronautic industry.
First CAMs (Contracts Air Mail Route)
CAM 1 |
New York-Boston, Colonial Air Transport |
CAM 2 |
Chicago-St. Louis, Robertson Aircraft Corporation |
CAM 3 |
Chicago-Dallas, National Air Transport |
CAM 4 |
Salt Lake City-Los Angeles, Western Air Express |
CAM 5 |
Elko (Nevada)-Pasco (Washington), Varney Speed Lines |
CAM 6 |
Detroit-Cleveland, Ford Air Transport |
CAM 7 |
Detroit-Chicago, Ford Air Transport |
CAM 8 |
Los Angeles-Seattle, Pacific Air Transport |
CAM 9 |
Chicago-St. Paul, Charles Dickinson |
CAM 10 |
Atlanta-Jacksonville-Miami, Florida Airways |
CAM 11 |
Cleveland-Pittsburgh, Cliffort Ball |
CAM 12 |
Pueblo (Colorado)-Cheyenne (Wyoming), Colorado Airways |
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To save time use air mail 5¢ for the first ounce 10¢ each additional ounce
Reproduction of poster showing postal rates.
Courtesy of National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution |
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