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TO ALL MEMBERS  - 5 -  February 16, 1943

"We find that there is a discrepancy between our regulations and those of the Army and we are endeavoring at the present time to arrive at a solution of the problem. We agree that any discrepancy which militates against the copilot who is employed in scheduled passenger service is fundamentally wrong and we believe that the situation will be cleared up by the Administrator."

I assume that this practice has been eliminated, and in the event it has not, Headquarters should be notified. 

PURCHASING GOVERNMENT WAR SAVINGS BONDS

On previous occasions we have called this matter to the attention of our members urging that, no matter whether it be by direct purchase or through company payroll deduction purchase plans, all air line pilots and copilots invest ten per cent of their salaries in government war bonds. 

We hear all sorts of reasons why our members find it difficult to do this. Frankly, at times it is difficult. We all have plans and places for the investment of our money. Some of us are paying for a home; others for a farm; many are buying retirement annuities, and find it difficult to invest ten per cent in government bonds each month. I know because I am experiencing the same difficulty. Nevertheless, it just must be done. We should all remember that one day there is going to be a checkup on who bought bonds and who didn't and in what amounts, and if the air line pilots come up on the meager end of the ledger in this respect, it is going to reflect very unfavorably on the air line piloting profession. And aside from all this, let's not forget we have a tough war on our hands and if we let the boys down who are fighting all over the world, many up to their chins in slime and muck, and the war is lost, we shall have only to look in our own mirrors to get a good square look at the actual cause. We must keep buying bonds no matter how badly it hurts, until the war is won. 

CAUSES OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACT AIRPLANE CRASHES

On several occasions members have requested Headquarters to publish to the membership causes of crashes occurring to aircraft operating in government contract service transporting men and material for the armed forces. This we would like to do, but unfortunately it is something that is prohibited by current War Department rulings. 

The War Department takes the position that the aircraft in question really belongs to it, and when crashes occur, it is nobody's business but the War Department's. They hold investigations behind closed doors and no public report is made. 

For example, on January 21, a government contract plane, operated by Pan American, crashed in the California hills not very far north of San Francisco. It was flown by member of the Air Line Pilots Association. The whole event was hushed up and not even the Safety Board of the CAB was permitted to participate in the investigation.