More Commandeering

U.S. airlines were told to ante up again last week; by Aug. i the Government wants to hand 24 big Douglas transports over to the British for troop-toting. With this requisition, U.S. airlines will have given up 120 transports since January 1940, and will be left with only 346 ships (their estimated needs: 461).

By juggling schedules and repair lay-ups, airline operators have thus far been able to maintain all flights. But last week's snatch will put an end to that. American Airlines will suspend two daily trips on the Chicago-Buffalo-Albany-Boston run. Eastern, United and T.W.A. probably will make similar service cuts.

Few airlines have griped about suspending a few schedules. But over two points they are bitter: 1) While they cut services, rival Trans-Canada Air Lines (Canadian Government-owned) booms ahead. With 22 new American-built Lock-heeds, it has upped transcontinental runs since January, even inaugurated three daily Toronto-New York round trips in the last three months. 2) Many of the 16 ships given to Britain two months ago are still waiting at U.S. airports for pilots to fly them away.

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