Government to Look Over All Ways Later.
Spokane received official warning today to prepare immediately for a hard fight in behalf of the inside airway from Alaska, via Fairbanks, White Horse and Revelstoke.
Hope for such an airway was dampened for some local advocates, who read in the July American Aviation magazine about seven
American and Canadian air lines that are involved in a proposed route entering the United States at Great Falls, and extending south in
two directions via Butte and Billings.
"The government is not pledged to any airway to Alaska," reported the Chronicle's correspondent in Washington, D. C, after contacting
the bureau of air commerce and postoffice department.
"When it comes time for such an airway both the Spokane and Montana routes will be considered." Postoffice officials expressed a
helipf a new law is needed to permit the Spokane route, adding: "We will do whatever is best for the two countries."
The Billings-Lethbridge route is the center of discussion now because present laws permit operation of an American airline into
Canada 150 miles, which is the distance from Border, a point on the American side of the international boundary, to Lethbridge, and could be served by the Wyoming or National Park Airways.
No Decision Yet.
"The matter hasn't gone that far yet," was the only statement of the bureau of air commerce officials when asked: "How far is the United States- pledged to the Montana Stephen A. Cisler, general superintendent of mails, commented: "An Alaskan route will ultimately be established."
"However, there will be nothing doing for a year," added Charles P. Graddick, superintendent of mails. Croil Hunter, president of the
Northwest Airlines, Inc., is pessimistic about the Spokane-Alaskan "Mr. Hunter said he was for us, although he believes the cause is
hopeless," said Harold Jones, chairman of the aviation committee of the Chamber of Commerce.
The Montana- Alaskan air route would cross the east-west route of the Northwest Airlines at Butte, Helena or Billings.