United Sleeplanes

Since 1932, when twin-engined, low-wing monoplanes became dominant in U. S. air transport, United Air Lines has steadily patronized Boeing, while its rivals, American and TWAirlines, have done most of their buying from Douglas. Last week United also became a patron of Douglas by ordering ten of the huge, 24-passenger Douglas Sleeper Transports (DST), of which American already has 20 on the way. Price: $1,000,000.

United's Douglas order brings one step nearer the scheme of five major U. S. airlines to standardize equipment. For months United, American, Eastern Air, TWA and Pan American have discussed burying the competitive hatchet, pooling their resources to pay for a fleet of huge land airliners which would be twice the size of the DST, carry 40 passengers, mount four motors, cost $200,000 apiece. According to the "Big Five," such super-transports would enable the airlines to make money, cease being dependent upon airmail subsidies. At present, air traffic is increasing so rapidly that 14-passenger planes now in service are incapable of handling it. With 40-passenger planes, say operators, traffic volume would be almost trebled while operating cost remained the same. In addition, according to the airlines, standardization would put an end to needless obsolescence caused by constant slight improvements in rival's equipment.

What is holding up standardization is neither engineering technology nor corporate rivalry but the operators' and manufacturers' dread that the Interstate Commerce Commission or the Post Office Department may crack down with a decision that such co-operation would be "collusion against the public good."

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