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for duty as a pilot. Behncke turned around and returned to Washington for another hearing-this time with his job at stake-and won the case.
His return to flying duty was of short duration for then the government cancelled all airmail contracts, as of Feb. 19, 1934. There was work for Behncke to do, however, for he went back to Washington to represent the pilots. 
Those were hectic days and the future at the time looked dark. But what happened? Here is Behncke's own answer: "The cancellation was the best thing that ever happened to the pilots." Why? Because Decision 83 was written into the Airmail Act of 1934 by reference and perpetuated by amendments in 1935 and 1938.
"Decision 83 is permanent because of the unfortunate happening of the airmail cancellations of 1934-and it is one protection the pilots have had ever since," Behncke says. "Strategy turned unfortunate circumstances to benefit. We were lucky in being able to do that several times. We have had some good breaks."

Organizer

Wages and working conditions thus were established, but the pilots still lacked a means of settling disputes. The ALPA rolled up its sleeves and by amendment obtained