Now the Atlantic

To genial, mustached Arthur E. La Porte, wiry veteran of many a hop across the Pacific, went the honor. When the last handshake had been exchanged before the newsreel cameras, Pan American Airways' President Juan Terry Trippe, seeing another ocean-spanning dream about to come true, turned to him: "Captain La Porte, is the flight in order?"

"The Yankee Clipper is ready, sir, standing by for orders," Skipper La Porte answered with self-conscious crispness. From his swarthy chief he took the manifest, went aboard, and gave the command to cast off. Out on Long Island's Manhasset Bay, the Clipper headed into the wind. The thunder of her four engines re-echoed from the hangars as she got up on the step. In a few more seconds she was off.

So last week, on the twelfth anniversary of Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh's takeoff for Paris, Pan American Airways (of which Lindbergh is technical adviser) inaugurated the first transatlantic mail service. In the hold of the Clipper were 112,574 pieces (1,603 Ibs.) of mail, mostly from collectors (rate: 30-c- a half ounce), and a box of four dozen California marigolds for Queen Mary. Alert at her crew stations, or lolling in the luxurious cabins were 16 Pan Am employes.

Before next dawn the two-decked Clipper landed in the harbor at Horta, in the Azores. Delaved more than six hours while swamped Horta postal employes stamped 23,000 letters, she got to Lisbon 26 1/2 hours after leaving the U. S. From there the Clipper made an easy hop to the end of the line at Marseille.

Under CAA's certificate of convenience and necessity, awarded to Pan Am the day before the first trip, only two transatlantic flights may be made a week. With authorizations from France and England for six a week, CAA is keeping room for competition. Only competitor now in sight: American Export Airlines, which has not yet made its first exploration flight.

With 400 on its passenger waiting list, Pan American will carry no revenue passengers until next month. One of the provisions of CAA's order was for five flights with mail only, so that Pan Am's crews will be thoroughly familiar with the run before the first passenger run (capacity: 40) is made.

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