$500 Profit

The Air Mail made a profit of over $500 on the first night mail trip from San Francisco to New York. $2,308.48 was paid for more than 8,000 pieces of mail and at 66-c- a mile, which is the average figure for cost of flying operation, the Government realized $539.68 profit. There is no doubt the service can pay for itself--if the first great burst of business due to curiosity and sentiment does not fall off.

But the Air Mail does not insure its ships. Frank Yager, flying from Cheyenne, Wyo., was bruised, and his plane was wrecked by a hurricane, which forced him to land at Chappell, Neb.