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Two THE AIR LINE PILOT June, 1947 The Air Line Pilot Volume 16 — No. 5 June 1947 Published monthly by the Air Line Pilots Association, International Affiliated with A. F. of L. Annual Subscriptions……………………… $2.50 David L. Behncke………………………………… President Jerome E. Wood……………………………………… First Vice-President Raymond B. Andrews…………………………… Secretary Warren G. Malvick……………………………… Treasurer Vice-Presidents, Foreign W.F Judd……………………………………………………… TWA-Rome, Italy T.H.L. Young…………………………………………… Panagra-Lima, Peru, S.A. W.R. Everts……………………………………………… PAA-Rio de Janeiro, S.A. Vice-Presidents, Domestic F.C. Miller……………………………………………… PCA-Chicago J.M. Marcum……………………………………………… AOA-New York L.L. Caruthers……………………………………… Delta-Atlanta W.T. Babbitt…………………………………………… EAL-Miami L.R. Davidson………………………………………… C&S-New Orleans G.F. Beal…………………………………………………… NWA-Minneapolis J.H. Roe……………………………………………………… TWA-Kansas City M.W. Sellmeyer……………………………………… Braniff-Dallas E.H. Campbell………………………………………… Continental-Denver S.J. Cavill……………………………………………… WAL-Salt Lake City J.L. Crouch……………………………………………… UAL-Seattle Robert Ford……………………………………………… UAL-San Francisco L.M. Williams………………………………………… AA-Los Angeles J.M. Dickerman……………………………………… Legislative Representative Entered as Second Class Matter March 11, 1933, at the Post Office at Chicago, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Contents Copyrighted 1947 by The Air Line Pilots Association. Editorial Offices: 3145 W. 63rd St., Chicago, Ill. Telephone Hemlock 5015 David L. Behncke………………………………………… Editor NO BETTER REASONS Glaring inefficiencies in the accident investigation procedures of the Civil Aeronautics Administration and the Civil Aeronautics Board, both bitter bureaucratic opponents of an independent Air Safety Board which would take air line accident investigation away from their political hearth, were never more glaring than in the American Overseas Airlines plane crash at Stephenville, Newfoundland, on October 3, 1946. The Crash was one of the worst in history of the commercial air lines, surpassed only by the recent crashes at LaGuardia Field, Pt. Deposit, Md., Leesburg, Va., on May 29 and 30 and June 13, respectively. Thirty-nine persons were aboard the AOA plane as passengers and crew members. The fatalities numbered 39 — THIRTY-NINE OF THE BEST REASONS ON EARTH WHY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD BE TAKEN FROM THE HANDS OF THE CAB AND CAA AND PLACED UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF AN UNBIASED, UNFAVORED, AND NONSUBSERVIENT INDEPENDENT AIR SAFETY BOARD. In a recent letter to the Aviation Subcommittee of the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, Senator Pat McCarran (D., Nev.), who recently introduced Bill S. 269 to create an independent Air Safety Board, said that the investigative procedures followed by the CAA and CAB in the Stephenville accident indicate that ”the present investigations by the CAB and CAA leave something to be desired.” The chief something, he said, is an independent agency which will point out specifically the ways in which CAB regulations can be improved and the ways in which the CAA under these regulations can be tightened up. McCarran said the facts disclosed that Capt. William Rogers Westerfield, of AOA, was making his first flight in full charge of an AOA passenger plane, and that although Stephenville was both a refueling and alternate airport, Westerfield in the course of his AOA training had not been required to land or take off at the Stephenville airport. However, it is understood that he landed and took off from this field as an Army pilot. The plane, McCarran pointed out, took off on a runway in direct line with a mountain and struck the mountain about 40 feet from its top — a runway, which, because of the mountain, was restricted for use by the Air Transport Command during the war. Why, he asked, had the CAA not likewise restricted the use of this runway? McCarran’s letter also stated: “The CAB claims that due to the condition of the terrain, including the steepness of the slope, loose rocks and mud, it was considered extremely dangerous to move or thoroughly inspect individual parts, and it was also considered that nothing could be gained by a detailed inspection due to the almost complete demolition of the aircraft. This, then, was the CAA and the CAB making a ‘thorough’ investigation of one of the worst accidents in the history of air transportation. Even though the terrain was bad and the difficulties great, it is rather hard to understand how the CAA and the CAB could have concluded their investigation at the scene of this accident on October 4. Surely, one of the worst crashes in history is entitled to thorough study at the scene and more of an examination than the perfunctory statements quoted indicate was made in this instance.” The air line pilots, 7,000 strong, concur with Senator McCarran’s stand that there are too many unanswered “why’s” in the air line accident investigation procedures today, in this case: WHY WAS THE INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED WITH SUCH GLOSSED-OVER INCOMPLETENESS? WHY WAS THE PILOT NOT THOROUGHLY ROUTE CHECKED? WHY WAS A CIVILIAN PLANE PERMITTED TO USE A RUNWAY THAT EVEN EXPENDABLE MILITARY OPERATIONS CLASSED AS HAZARDOUS? This case is only one of the hundreds that will leave thousands of unanswered “why’s” in air line accident investigation — “why’s” which will remain unanswered because they could conceivably have embarrassing effects — until there is revival of an independent Air Safety Board. On the other side of the ledger, there is only one “why” that has 1,107 irrefutable answers. Why, weakly asked the opponents of an independent Air Safety Board, do we need such a board? The 1,107 answers are in the number of air line fatalities which have cast a black mark on aviation safety—473 of them prior to the advent of the independent Air Safety Board, which established a world record for air line safety with over 17 months without an accident, and up until January 12, 1947, 634 since its demise. Within a two-week period, from May 29 to June 13, three horrifying crashes added 145 more reasons to this already too long list of death and tragedy. The question today is: ARE WE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? OR, DO WE STILL NEED MORE GOOD REASONS? For thinking people there is but one answer: RE-ESTABLISH THE WATCHDOG OF AIR SAFETY—THE FORMER INDEPENDENT AIR SAFETY BOARD. —David L. Behncke. Retroactivity for AOA Pilots (Continued from Page 1, Col. 1) Lines on June 5 and Pennsylvania-Central Airlines on June 10 while negotiations were additionally being carried on with steady progress on United Air Lines, Pan American Airways, Northeast Airlines, Pioneer Air Lines, Braniff Airways, Colonial Air Lines, and American Overseas Airlines. Finis to two mediation cases on Chicago and Southern, Case A-2444, covering changes in the C&S pilots’ basic employment agreement, and Case A-2531, covering rates of compensation, rules and working conditions on their Caribbean operation—was written this month as an agreement was concluded and signed on June 5 covering both operations. The recently-signed Eastern Air Lines agreement, generally regarded at the present time as the best in the industry, was used as the basis of settlement in the C&S negotiations which ran a course of 11 days of conferences in late May and early June with conferences being held in Memphis, Tenn., on May 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, and 29, and June 2, 3, 4, and 5. Representing the pilots in the C&S mediation conferences, in which Thomas Bickers was the federal mediator, were Master Chairman T. S. Bridges, of Local Council No. 48, C&S-New Orleans; Charles Quinn, of Local Council No. 74, C&S-Caribbean; J. E. Hoffman and J. E. Brooks, both of Local Council No. 66, C&S-Memphis; band K. J. Ulrich, of the Employment Agreement Department. The company representatives were J. A. Young, operations manager; J. T. Beebe, personnel manager; R. T. Crutchfield, director of labor relations department; and D. E. Goullard, of the Airlines Negotiating Conference. Case A-2444 was originally docketed by the National Mediation Board on November 14, 1946, after a deadlock in direct negotiations, while Case A-2531, involving the supplemental agreement, was docketed on March 28, 1947, with the June 5 agreement concluding both cases. PCA Signs June 10 Signatures completing the negotiations on the Pennsylvania-CentralAirlines amendment to agreement were affixed to the agreement on June 10 as the result of the second series of conferences with the company since the first of the year. Final conferences leading up to the signing of this agreement were held in Washington, D. C., on May 27, 28, and 29, at which time the provisions of the amendment to agreement were agreed upon by both the pilots and the company representatives. The May conferences were a continuation of the meetings held on January 14 and 15 at which the groundwork was laid for completion of negotiations. A salient high light of the agreement with PCA is that the settlement along a gross weight increment and on a non-reverting mileage pay basis represents a considerable gain that is better than the prevailing indicated industry standard because of the pegged speeds of the aircraft operated by PCA. The pilot conferees in the PCA negotiations were Chairman J. V. McClaflin, J. H. Wylie, M. D. Hertz, and W. C. Paddock, of Local Council No, 32, PCA-Detroit; Chairman F. C. Miller and R. B. Hilgert, of Local Council No. 20, PCA-Chicago; O. C. Ross and W. R. Sewell, of Local Council No. 11, PCA-Washington; D. L. Steede and E. C. Kegley, of Local Council No. 64, PCA-New York; and F. O. Munch and J. C. Christie, of the Employment Agreement Department. Negotiating for PCA on the company side of the table were J. H. Carmichael, executive vice-president of PCA; Trow Sebree, New York district general manager; H. J. Reid, manager of flight operations; and C. A. Hodgins, of the Airlines Negotiating Conference. Retroactivity on AOA Negotiations with American Overseas Airlines were partially concluded with the signing of an agreement on June 12 in New York that will give the AOA pilots pay retroactivity to December 1, 1945, but conferences to negotiate rates of pay, rules and working conditions were still continuing as this issue of the AIR LINE PILOT went to press. Negotiations with AOA, which originally began on April 1 and were subsequently held on April 2, 3, 23, 24 and 25, and May 12, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17, were resumed on June 10 and continued through June 13 during which series the retroactivity agreement was signed. Chairman E. J. Martin, K. A. Whitsit, B. O. Sparks, J. F. Scott, and R. A. Nordstrom, of Local Council No. 29, AOA; and K. J. Ulrich, of Headquarters, represented the AOA pilots in these conferences while the company was represented by H. R. Harris, vice-president and general manager; Emil Jazz, personnel director; J. Y. Craig, director of flight operations; E. G. Hamilton, assistant to the vice-president of operations; and C. A. Hodgins and L. P. Morrison, of the Airlines Negotiating Conference. The May-June activities of President Behncke, who, in addition to signing the C&S and PCA agreements for the Association, took part in negotiations with United Air Lines and Pan American Airways, were extensive and included among other things the multitude of detail necessary for the preparation for the Executive Board meeting and personal supervision of a revision of the work procedures of the Bookkeeping and Accounting Department. On May 12, another series of employment agreement-making conferences were started with UAL. These meetings lasted from May 13 through May 16 inclusive and were adjourned over the week-end until May 19. All of these conferences were held at the Stevens Hotel in Chicago. The UAL pilots have been working hard on the amendments to their agreement covering both the company’s old and new equipment. UAL still has a large number of DC-3’s and, in addition, they have 26 Douglas Skymaster DC-4’s and are beginning to re-equip with Douglas DC-6’s, 15 of which have already been delivered. The company’s entire DC-6 fleet will consist of 35 planes. Representing the company were J. A. Herlihy, vice-president of operations; W. J. Addams, director of flight operations; C. V. O’Callaghan, assistant to director of flight operations; Attorney Tom Daley, and C. A. Hodgins and H. N. Eskeldson, of the Airlines Negotiating Conference. Speaking for the pilots were S. J. Nelson, chairman of Local Council No. 34, UAL-San Fransisco; R. L. Spickelmier, of Local Council No. 33, UAL-Denver; J. G. Murray, of Local Council No. 12, UAL-Chicago; Clayton Styles, chairman of Local Council No. 53, UAL-New York; R. D. McKillip, of Local Council No. 33, UAL-Denver; G. G. Jones, of Local Council No. 37, UAL-Seattle; and V. M. Williams, of Local Council No. 12, UAL-Chicago; while ALPA President David L. Behncke and Statistician R. N. Oakman represented Headquarters. Considerable progress was made at these meetings and the conferences came within a very narrow margin of ending with a signed agreement. Next on ALPA’s busy calendar was the first Executive Board meeting which lasted four days, from May 21 through May 24, at the Del Prada Hotel in Chicago. For ALPA headquarters, between carrying on the UAL employment agreement conferences and the many other meetings and conferences throughout the country while simultaneously preparing for the Executive Board meeting, which followed closely on the heels of the UAL negotiations, there was no time to spare during the last part of May and the early part of June. Immediately following the Executive Board meeting, Messrs. Behncke and Oakman, together with ALPA’s traveling secretary, Miss Violet Miller, left for New York on May 26. Employment agreement conferences got under way with Pan American in New York on May 27 at the company’s new headquarters and continued through May 28 and May 29. The pilots were represented at this conference by Chairman E. J. Forrler, J. M. Marcum, and F. W. Saul, of Local Council No. 36, PAA-Transatlantic; J. B. Blackmore and R. F. Eckert, of Local Council No. 56; F. H. Goslin, of Local Council No. 61, PAA-Houston; Chairman P. B. Baxter, of Local Council No. 26; and Chairman J. M. Rush, of Local Council No. 55, PAA-Seattle. The company’s spokesmen were Franklin Gledhill, PAA vice-president; Jerome D. Fenton, of PAA’s Industrial Relations Department; Robert Fatt, chief pilot; S. B. Kaufman, L. C. Lindsey, H. Fleming, and O. J. Studeman. Much work was accomplished on the amending of the PAA agreement and for the first time, the PAA pilot conferees presented to the company a straight formula method for the payment of the PAA pilots. This follows much the same pattern as the Eastern Air Lines agreement with a 75-hour, half-day and half-night guarantee. (Continued on Page 3, Col. 5) In Constant Memorium “To fly West my friend, is a flight we all must take for a final check.” Active Duty Air Corps Allen, K. N.—AA; Beadles, Eugene C.— UAL; Berger, H. A.—UAL; Bowen, W. S.—EAL; Canton, C. E.—EAL; Charleton, Davis, Wm. E. — Continental; Duke, Albert B.—EAL; Folkers, Harold J. — Braniff; Greenlee, Robert L. — UAL; Hernden, Thomas—UAL; Jackson, Walter — TWA; McDowell, H. C. — UAL; Mitchell, Hewitt F.—Colonial; Mosteller, Charles—EAL; Nagel, John—Mid-Continent; Nelson, Franklin S.—WAL; Peterson, Warren — TWA; Roth, Paul F. — EAL; Shafer, George H. — TWA; Skelly, H. J.—AA; Trewek, J. M.—AA. Active Duty Naval Reserve Jones, John Paul—EAL; Knudsen, Max — TWA; Roscoe, Thomas M. — EAL; Sparboe, Jerome H. — NW; Williams, Roy W.—EAL. Active Duty Marine Corps Kimball, Walter F.—TWA. Active Accidental Adams, John B.—UAL; Anderson, Lloyd —UAL; Andrew, Paul A.—UAL; Antonio, S. B.—PCA; *Bamberger, T. L.—TWA. Barrett, Joseph C., Jr. — PAA; Barren, John M., Jr.—AA; Bates, Clarence F.— NW; Bethel, A. T.—TWA; Beindorf, C. R. — UAL; Bickford, L. A. — Panagra; Bigelow, Ed. — UAL; Bliven, L. H. — NWA; Blom, Edwin W. — UAL; Bowen, W. L. — WAE; Bohnet, Frederick L. — TWA; Bolton, Harvey F.—TWA; Bontrager; C. M.—UAL; Borehera, Adrian— PAA; Bowen, J. E. — TWA; Bowen, Lewis L. — BA; Brandon, James L. — UAL; *Brand, W. J. — AA; Briggs, Francis W.—AA; *Brigman, R. M.—AA; Brighton, D. E.—UAL; Brown, D. W.— UAL; Brown, H. Babcock—NEA; Brown, W. C. — PAA; Brunk, Paul S. — PAA; Boucher, C. L.—PAA; *Bucklin, Fred— PCA; *Bullis, R. L.—PAA; Burks, J. A. —UAL. Carpenter, Bayard A.—AA; Chamberlain, Cassius B.—NW; Christian, I. J., Jr.— NWA; Clark, F. N.—Continental; Clayton R. C. — C&S; Cohn, Hanley G. — WAS; Cole, D. C.—UAL; Cooper, D. I. —AA; Cope, Alonzo — Marine Airways; *Cox, Floyd—Ludington. Dace, Frank E.—WAL; Dally, Benjamin H.—TWA-ICD; Davis, Alfred W.—UAL; Davis, Douglas—EAL; De Cesare, Frank— Panagra; De Cesare, Joseph G.—UAL; Diltz, H. C.—TWA; Dietz, Stuart G.— EAL; Dietze, R. H. — AA; Dixon, Andrew, Jr. — DAL; Dryer, Dale F. — AA; Dunn, S. M.—Panagra; Dyjack, R. J.— NWA. Eitner, R. G.—AA; Eizey, Robert M.— PAA; *Enger, G.E.—NWA. Fey, Howard—UAL; Fields, Glenn T.— AA; *Fisher, John F.—NW; Fortner, W. F.—EAL; Fuller, Ray E.—AA. Gambee, H. T.—TWA; Gay, R. A.—AA; Gardner, Gordon W. — Panagra; Gentry, J. N.—PAA; George, Hal—TWA; *Gill, D. N.—TWA-ICD; Gillette, Morgan A. —TWA; Golden, Glenn—AA; Gower, Vernon I.—DAL; Graver, R. Boyd—UAL. Haid, Arthur A. — NW; Hale, S. H. — EAL; Haligren, W. A.—AA; Hart, John F. — NW; Hedenquist, W. A. — TWA; Herndon, J. T. — UAL; Hill, George W. —AA; Holbrook, Clyde M.—AA; Holsenbeck, W. M.—PAA; Holstrom, A. E.— TWA; Howell, P. P.—TWA; Hunt, E.— AA — Inman, Rodger R. — TWA-ICD; Inman, W. B. — EAL; Ireland, Baxter L. — Continental; Jackson, W. — TWA; Jameiller, Stanley E. — CAL; Jamison, W. L.—EAL; Jones, H. H.—PCA; Jones, Lloyd E. — UAL; Jesselyn, John — PCA; *Jones, W.H.—UAL; Judd, O. K. —PAA. *Kelley, R. A., Jr.—EAL; Kelsey, H. J. —AA; Kincanon, Ted N.—AA; King, G. B.—PAA; King, J. O. — EAL; Komdat, A. C.—EAL; Kreeger, J. H.—PAA. .. . Lamb, Charles S.—UAL; Lewis, Harry C. — TWA; Livermore, Joe — NW, Leeffier, Edward J. — WAL; Lucas, Al — WAS; Lucas, Verne—Ludington; Lynn, John B. —C&SAL. McAfee, William—PAA; McCauley, J. R. — AA; *McLaughlin, J. J. —AA; McMickle, Harold—Panagra; Majors, R. R. —AA; Mallick, Forrest E.—UAL; Mamer, Nick B.—NW; Marshal, Gerald V. —AA; Merrifield, Austin S.—UAL; Martin, Karl R.—NWA; Miller, B. D.—AA Colonial; *Miner, Willard H. — UAL; Mitchell, J. W., Jr. — EAL; Montee, Ralph—TWA; Montijo, John G. — VAT; Morgan, H. R. — TWA; Morgan, H. W. —PAA; Mossman, Russell C.—C&SAL. Neff, Harold—UAL; Nee, Earl J.—TWA; Norby, Raymond B. — NW; Nordbeck, H. T.—NEA. *Obri, Fred - PAA; *O'Brien, W. E. - PCA; Odell, M. T. - AA; * Olson, Kenneth S. - NW; *Onsgard, Alden - NWA; Owens, Clifford P, - WAE Parker, A.N. – TWA-ICD; Paschal, A.–PAA; Pedley, Charles F.–AA; Perry, J.A.–EAL; Person, Addison G.–PAA; Pickup, Christopher V.–UAL; Pielemeier, Harold E.– AA; Potter, Norman W. –UAL; Proebstle, R. – NWA; Pursley, C. H. –Pnaagra. Quale, R.J.–AA. Radoll, R.W.–UAL; Raleyk R.J.–NW; *Repack, W.T.–PCA; *Rhew, Jesse N.–C&S; Riggs, Russell S.–AA; Robbins, Wm.J.B.–AA; Rose, John A.–KLM; Rousch, Chas. W.–NW; Rust, F.H.–AA. Sallsbury, Hervey M.–TWA; Sandblom, J.V.–CP; Sandegran, Thomas E.–UAL; Sauceda, J.M.–PAA; Scott, P.T.W.–TWA; Scott, Philip C.–UAL; Scroggins, Lowell V.–PCA; Shank, Eugene S. - NWA; Sharpnack, J. W. -UAL; Sheets, Don K. - Panagra; Sherwood, George C. - WAE; Smith, G. E. - TWA; Smoot, C. H. - Braniff; Snowden, J. P. - TWA; Stiller, Harry A.-AA; J. E. Stroud-AA; Supple, Robert E.-Panagra. Tarrant, Harold R. - UAL; Terletzky, Leo-PAA; Thomas, L. E. - EAL; Thompson, A. R.-UAL; *Turbyne, Robert-Panagra. Underwood Sanford L.-AA. Vance, Claire K. - UAL; Vanderbusch, R. E.-NWA. Wagar, G. K.-UAL; Waldren, Joe-AA; Walker, M. A. - PAA; Wallace, Clyde W.-TWA; *Wasil, Nicholas A.-TWA; Watkins, E. C-AA; Weatherden, Edwin-AA; West,F. W.-NW; Whidden, R. G. -NEA; Wieselmayer, Otto - PAA; Wilson, W.C.-AA; Williams, Wayne C. -TWA; Williamson, P. B.-EAL; Werthen, J. A.-WW; *Wright, J. S.-TWA. Young, George E.-UAL. Zeier, Carl F.-C&SAL. Natural Blomgren, Lloyd I.-AA; Chiappine, L. J., TWA-ICD; Cochran, Robert M. - UAL; Colton, Ray-UAL; Currier, C. L.-TWA; Fife, John A. -CA; *Gambee, Harley T. - TWA; Gilbert, Paul L.-PAA; Hohag, R. J.-NW; Jamieson, Leland S.-EAL; Jaster, Frank B.-EAL; Knight, J. H.-UAL; Little, R. J.-AA; Maguire, R. C.-AA; McConaughey, Ira M.-AA; Peterson, J. M.-NWA; Phelps, Henry T.-PAA; Sehier, Tip-Delta; Swanson, Axel-AAl Taylor, V. W. - NWA Wittenberg, F. E.-UAL. Inactive Anderline, Frank W.; Ashford, Ted; Barr, Julius; Brown, W. Craig; Burford, Dean W.; Caldwell, G. Q.; Drayton, Chas. M.; Fisher, Alfred O. F.; Hulsman, Herbert W.; Hunter, Lewis W.; Leak, E. L.; Jackson, L. A.; Judy, H. R.; Kerwin, J. J.; McMarkin, Richard A.; Mills, Arthur; Mitchell, R. L; Neyes, Dewey L.; O'Brien, Forrest E.; Ormsbee, F.; Riddle, Glenn L.; Roulstone, J. J.; Rousch, Usher E.; Shelton, Boyd M.; Squire, J. P. L.; Stark, Howard C.; Tinkle, Howard A.; Van Alstyne, Hugh, Jr.; Veblen, E. H.; Walbridge, Donald C.; warner, Roy; Wheaton, Harold H.; Whittemore, Fred W.; Wold, John F.; Willey, Sidney L.; Zimmerman, Harry J. Waiting List Brock, Wm. S.; Clark W. H.; Kiser Daniel; Langmack, David F. Unemployed Downs, Lloyd; Hays, George L.; Keadle, Floyd E.; Miner, R. I.; Rhiner, L. R. Honorary Brisbane, Arthur; Greene, Dr. Ralph; Kelly, Hon. Clyde; Rogers, Will. *Apprentice Member June, 1947 THE AIR LINE PILOT Three Executive Board Authorizes Purchase of Land [[image]] One of the outstanding highlight actions of the first Executive Board meeting, which was demonstrative of its many foresighted actions, was authorization for purchase of a track of land near the Chicago Municipal Airport, which put ALPA another long step nearer to realization of a home of its own. The property authorized for purchase is the choicest site available in the vicinity of the Chicago Municipal Airport and was discovered and selected by President Behncke who recommended its purchase to the Executive Board. The plot, with two street intersection frontage, is located at the northwest corner of 55th street and Cicero avenue with 300-foot frontage on 55th street and 700-foot frontage on Cicero avenue. Following President Behncke's recommendation for purchase of the land, which was being held on verbal option pending action by the Executive Board, a three-man committee was appointed to investigate the property and report to the Board which granted purchase approval on the basis of their favorable report. The committee was composed of J. E. Wood, ALPA first vice-president; R. B. Andrews, ALPA secretary; and W. G. Malvick, ALPA treasurer. In the above photo, Jerry Wood explains the location of the plot in relation to the airport runways by means of blackboard diagrams. DEFTNESS --- WISDOM --- FORESIGHT (Continued from Page 1, Col. 1) in the Prado Room of Chicago's Del Prado Hotel, the Executive Board immediately fell heir to many problems and responsible decisions, but their execution, with deftness, wisdom, and no small measure of foresight, had wiped the slate clean by the time the first meeting of the Executive Board adjourned sine die in the ballroom of the same hotel at 3:25 p.m. on May 24, 1947. 28-Point Agenda Despite the handicap that it was progressing along an uncharted course with no precedent upon which to operate, the first ALPA Executive Board disposed of a 28-point agenda, many of them controversial in nature, out of which came many tangible results. But perhaps its greatest accomplishment, somewhat more nebulous in nature, was the overall fact that it had proven itself and its own adequacy beyond a shadow of a doubt and removed any pre-meeting question marks which may have surrounded its formation. In the four days, five hours and 25 minutes it was in session the Executive Board, facing issues squarely and decisively, took responsible steps that broadly fell into four distinct categories: The formulation of matters of internal and external policy. Completion of unfinished Convention business and Convention action which had been deferred to the initial meeting of the Executive Board. The taking of definite administrative steps, which prior to the Executive Board's advent, would of necessity, have had to wait for Convention action. Extensive study and action upon a variegated list of topics ranging from By-Laws to air safety. That the Executive Board was faced with definite and specific responsibilities was pointed out in the concise, to the point, 45-minute opening speech of ALPA President David L. Behncke, the Executive Board chairman, in which he stated: "This is a history - making meeting of ALPA. It is the first meeting of ALPA's Executive Board. An executive board of a representing organization is not a new innovation. It is a sign and a definite indication that an organization has grown up. An executive board has many responsibilities and there is no room to dodge those responsibilities. It must face squarely all the issues before it and solve them. That is its purpose." That the first Executive Board of ALPA realized, faced and discharged those responsibilities in their entirety were indicated in the words of Mr. Behncke on which the four-day assembly adjourned: "This meeting has been markedly successful and has proven the wisdom of the Ninth Annual Convention. It has been constructive and progressive. Some of its actions were almost miracles. This Board showed it has intestinal fortitude, and if a Board doesn't have that, it is of no value. Many things happened that were history making in every respect, not the least of which is the success of this Board itself. It handled difficult issues wisely, well, fairly, and correctly. I am proud to have presided at the first meeting of ALPA's Executive Board, and I am sure all of you are equally proud to have participated as members at this first meeting. This Board is definitely a part of ALPA. The way it has performed has proven that ALPA has grown up, is out of its swaddling clothes and is now more than ever capable of continuing its long chain of successes. It is a pleasure to have presided at this first meeting and I repeat that I am proud to be the one to have had the distinction of doing that." The President's speech on the state of the Association, which followed a reading of the Convention resolution under which the Executive Board was formed and by which authority it was meeting, outlined the accomplishments of Headquarters since the Ninth Convention, department by department, as well as from an over-all standpoint. "The period between the Ninth Convention and the present time has been one of intense activity for ALPA," Mr. Behncke told the delegates. "We have gone forward just as fast as possible with Convention mandates which is a tremendous job in itself." Departmental Report Although the post-Convention period has been a busy one for all departments of ALPA, Mr. Behncke said that the Employment Agreement Department, the Grievance and Conciliation Department, the Bookkeeping and Accounting Department, and the Publicity and Public Relations Department had been particularly active during this period with the majority of time being devoted to employment agreements. As a result of acceleration of employment agreement-making activities, Mr. Behncke pointed out, agreements have been signed in rapid succession with American Airlines, Eastern Air Lines, Colonial Airlines, and Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc., with additional agreements on Braniff Airways, Chicago and Southern Air Lines, Western Air Lines, and Pan American Grace Airways (Panagra) being placed in mediation. A number of others are in direct negotiations and nearing completion. Mr. Behncke also added that agreements were close to being signed on Uniter where negotiations were carried on up to May 20, only one day before the Executive Board meeting. ALPA's Bookkeeping Department, which Mr. Behncke said was one of the hardest hit by personnel and material shortages and space limitations and restrictions, is now on the verge of catching up on its backlog of work to enable it to function in a normal manner, he reported. "Above all else, books and financial records have to be kept up to date and that's what we intend to do," he stated emphatically. The Grievance and Conciliation Department, has been functioning smoothly despite the addition of extra imposing burdens occasioned by the cases arising from the Ardmore Screening Program on American Airlines, the President's report stated, and since the Convention has handled a record-breaking number of cases. Rapid Expansion The Publicity and Public Relations Department, which had been in arrears dur to unfavorable circumstances such as paper shortages, printer's strikes, and a changing of printers, published five issues of the AIR LINE PILOT since the Ninth Convention. Mr. Behncke added that with the distribution of the May issu on May 21 this department is now up-to-date. This will result in this department now being able to embark on a more comprehensive public relations program and add some refinements which have been contemplated for some time. Other departments upon which Mr. Behncke reported in his opening speech were the Engineering and Air Safety Department, the Statistical and Research Department, the Council Coordination and Administration Department, and the Education and Organization Department. Mr. Behncke explained that from an over-all standpoint, Headquarters' expansion during the three months since the Ninth Convention has been accomplished in rapid strides, with the acquisition of 5,000 additional feet of office space and four additions to the executive staff giving ALPA a personnel roster which now totals 48. Although the additional office space has helped considerable to alleviate overcrowding and facilitate the smooth functioning of Headquarters, Mr. Behncke cautioned that it is "still not entirely satisfactory and nothing more than an interim arrangement until ALPA can acquire a home office Headquarters building of its own." So vital were all of the actions taken by the first Executive Board, that it is extremely difficult to differentiate between the most important and the least (Continued on Page 4, Col. 1) BART COX NAMED ON PRESIDENTIAL BOARD B. H. Cox, of Local Council No. 31, AA-Burbank, has been appointed ALPA's representative on President Truman's special presidential board of inquiry for air safety which were named by him on June 15. Other members of the board appointed by the President are James M. Landis, chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board; Milton W. Arnold, vice-president for operations and engineering of the Air Transport Association; Dr. Jerome C. Hunsaker, chairman of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics; and T. T. Wright, Civil Aeronautics Administrator. In making the appointments, President Truman asked for recommendations as soon as possible on action the government might take to insure the highest degree of safety and any legislation that might be needed from Congress. In commenting on the President's appointment of the special board, ALPA President David L. Behncke declared: "President Truman deserves the highest commendation for taking the initiative in this vital and pressing matter and the air line pilots hope that Congress will follow the President's lead by reviving an independent and permanent Air Safety Board through legislative action." ---------------------------------------------- PAA Pilots Meet (Continued from Page 2, Col. 4) The PAA Master Executive Council met in New York on May 29, following the employment agreement conferences. Those present were Chairman J. M. Rusch and J.A. Gellatly, of Local Council No. 55, PAA-Seattle; Chairman C. F. Howe and F. H. Goslin, of Local Council No. 61, PAA-Houston; W. R. Everts, chairman of Local Council No. 37, PAA-Brazil; Chairman M. H. Stuart and R. F. Eckert, of Local Council No. 56, PAA Transpacific; C. H. Smith of Local council No. 10, PAA-Caribbean; E. J. Forrier, chairman, of Local Council No. 36, PAA-Transatlantic; and Chairman M. P. Archibalt of Local council No. 17, PAA-New York. There were several important subjects on the agenda, relating principally to seniority problems and Adjustment Board decisions. During the month of May, President Behncke spent considerable time with Wesley Price, well-known aviation writer for the Saturday Evening Post, who is doing an article about the Air Line Pilots Association for this magazine. They had many long discussions, the last of which took place in New York at the Plymouth Hotel. Later, on June 4, Dick Boyer, an Saturday Evening Post photographer, took numerous pictures of ALPA headquarters offices and at the Chicago Municipal Airport. These pertained in the main to the human interest aspect of the Association and the air line pilots. Many interesting and extensive articles have appeared in magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals during the months of May and June, the principal ones being the Air Transport (Continued on Page 5, Col. 3) [[Photo]] "I MOVE ADOPTION" "I make a motion that we concur with Mr. Behncke's selection of this property as described, 300 feet wide and 700 feet deep, that we approve the purchase of that site, subject to an appraisal, and if the value is found to be there, the purchase be authorized." With those words TWA's first pilot representative, of Local Council No. 25, TWA-Chicago, started the ball rolling toward the Executive Board's approval for purchase of building property at 55th street and Cicero avenue selected and recommended by President Behncke. The motion was made after lengthy discussion and appraisal from every angle and a report from the Housing and Land Committee which made an investigation of the property. Delegate Strait (standing) is shown as he made the motion, which was seconded by F. H. Goslin, PAA copilot representative, of Local council No. 61. PAA-Houson. It carried by a top-heavy 25 to 7 vote. Others in the above photo are F. A. Spencer of Local Council No. 39, AA-Chicago (in foreground), and J. M. Rusch, of Local Countil No. 55, PAA-Seattle (at the extreme right).
