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AFFILIATED WITH THE                               "SCHEDULE WITH SAFETY"
A. F. of L. 

                    AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION 
                           INTERNATIONAL 
                    3145 WEST SIXTY-THIRD STREET
                          CHICAGO 29
                      September 16, 1948
TELEPHONE
GROVEHILL 2200.                                                   473

Dear Bart:

I have been anxiously keeping my eyes on numerous problems in the hope that there might be a break in my time that would afford me the opportunity to attend the second conference of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations that will begin in Paris, France, on September 20. Unfortunately, no such break is even remotely in sight due to many recently in sight due to many recent highly important developments in the settlement of the National Strike.

To give you some idea of the magnitude of this battle, in addition to the action before the CAB, we are engaged actively in four separate law suits as well as numerous injunction actions that are always active. This is in addition to all the other ALPA activities, which have increased in tempo so that they are far above normal. Negotiations are in progress with 14 airlines, and our Convention will be held in less than two months. Above and beyond all this activity we have the National pilots who have been on strike for seven months. Their morale is high and they fighting a good fight which ahs resulted, among other things in causing National airlines to lose $2,309,483.00 for the six month fiscal period ending June 30. There are continuous talks of mergers that may come to a head any day. The decision in the jurisdiction  case (CAB Docket No. 3298) before the CAB is due this week. Had this been handed down, it would have been cleared the way to a large extent for my being able to attend the Paris conference. The minute this decision is made, it will require immediate action, no matter whether it is favorable or unfavorable. Moreover, Baker, in his weakened financial condition has filed with the CAB another petition for money, presenting another case in which we will have to intervene, and this means much more preparation all of which will have to be done soon.

Above and beyond all this, there are the National pilots who have been on the picket lines for seven months, and who are going strong but who have at the same time, expressed great concern about my leaving country to attend the International conference. I have heard several times from Vice Presidents Jerry Wood and Slim Babbitt, who are very close to the situation, and they tell me that it would be a great blow to the morale of the National pilots, some of whom