Clipper, Vol. 2, No. 3, February 1945

              PAK AMERICAN
LATIN AMERICAN DIVISION
E_
£
VOL. 2—NO. 3
450221
Copyright, 19US, by Pan American Airways, Ine.
FEBRUARY, 1945
Eggs, Poultry, Meat Fly For Less To Puerto Rico
As an effective aid to the critical food situation in Puerto Rico, hard hit by wartime shipping shortages, Pan American World Airways has established new low cost specific commodity rates for the shipment of fresh eggs, poultry and meat from the Dominican Republic to the United States’ island possession in the Carribbean.
The new Pan American rates on shipments of more than 20 pounds each of such foodstuffs is expected to stimulate importation of these vital necessities of life, heretofore rendered impractical air cargo items because of ceiling prices set by the Office of Price Administration. It is now possible for a Puerto Rican importer to bring these items to the island by Clipper and still retail the produce within ceiling limits.
Puerto Rico is only 70 per cent self-sufficient in foodstuffs in normal times and imports are usually heavy on canned goods, frozen meats and poultry products. However, war has cut shipping so heavily that the food situation has been critical for more than two years.
Pan American, which for a long period since Pearl Harbor has been the only means of commercial transportation available to Puerto Rico, has increased its service until now a total of 54 regularly scheduled flights are made weekly between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. In addition to transporting essential war workers on the San Juan route, PA A Clippers have carried an unprecedented amount of air cargo since normal shipping was drastically curtailed because of war. During 1944 monthly increases in air express reached as high as 2,100 per cent over similar periods in 1941.
Former AO Pilot Listed As Missing In Action
Capt. William S. Doxey, veteran Pan American World Airways master pilot, Africa-Orient division, has been reported missing in action in the Central Pacific area since December 3, according to the war department.
Joining Pan American in 1929 just two years after the company came into existence, Captain Doxey flew more than 2,000,-000 miles over lines operated by the company. Prior to joining the air force last June, he was with the Army ATC and made a total of 30 round trips across the South Atlantic.
He received his flight training at Carl-strom Field, Fla., in 1920 and his advance training at Fort Sill, Okia. In 1926-27 he had a year’s active duty at Maxwell Field, Ala., and was a reserve officer in the air force until he enlisted for active duty again.
Irving Beebe Elected Head Of Masonic Lodge
To Irving H. Beebe, Jr., aircraft dispatcher at Pan American Field, came the highest honor a Masonic Blue Lodge can confer, when he was installed January 9 as worshipful master of James Carnell lodge No. 223, F. &
A. M.
Chosen as chief officer by the lodge’s 700 members, a number of them PAA employees, Beebe will retain his high post for one year.
A Mason since 1939, he is a mem- irving beebe ber of the Jericho Chapter, No. 11, R.A.M.; Adoniram Council, No. 10, R. & S. M.; and the Miami Commandery, No. 13, Knight Templars.
Beebe, born in Memphis, Tenn., graduated from Dartmouth College. He came to Miami in 1933. In 1942 he left his position in the display advertising department of The Miami Daily News to aid the war effort by working as an operations assistant for PAA Air Ferries. When the Ferries were taken over by the government, he joined the Eastern division as junior airport manager, served as flight watch officer before becoming a certificated aircraft dispatcher.
Panair Credit Union Observes Very, Very Happy Birthday
Outstripping all credit unions in the Southeast, the Panair Credit Union is today the third largest in the country.
With its second birthday on Jan. 30, Pan American’s banking and loan organization reached its million dollar mark in loans. With assets of $700,000, it has pushed ahead of 33 of the major banking institutions of Florida.
At the annual meeting Jan. 30 in the Ingraham Building, Miami, the board of directors and members declared a two per cent dividend for 1945. A gain in Credit Union assets of $167,394.36 during 1944 was announced. Loans to employees increased $122,297.06 over those made in 1943. Shares went up $213,095.91.
New members of the board, elected at the meeting, are Paul Agnew, of Africa-Orient, and Don W. Thomson, of ticket control, who has been chairman of the supervisory committee. Additions to the supervisory committee are Sergio A. Oliver, of tax and audit; Ed M. Jones, PAF stores, and Don A. Doyle, Pamsco.
Continued on Page 3
Cuhana Sets World Record With Non-Fatality Decade
In recognition of a new world’s aerial safety record set by Compania Nacional Cubana de Aviacion, S.A., in completing ten years of operation without a single fatality, the Inter-American Safety Council has presented a special award to the Pan American World Airways’ subsidiary in Cuba.
Cuba’s ambassador to the United States, Guillermo Belt, received the award in the name of Cubana. Presentation by the Council, an organization for the promotion of industrial and commercial safety throughout the hemisphere, took place at a noon luncheon Feb. 1, at the Mayflower hotel, Washington, D. C. Attending the ceremony were heads of the U. S. State Department, officials of the Pan American Union and of Pan American World Airways, members of the diplomatic corps and the Washington press.
Unparalleled in the history of aviation is the new record set by Cubana. During this fatality-free decade, 1934 through 1944, the Cuban airline has covered a total of 34,699,466 passenger miles and 8,523,018 statute miles. Increasing its mileage each year, the PAA subsidiary has trebled its statute miles since 1934 and has multiplied its passenger miles over and over again. From an estimated one million passenger miles in 1934 it has grown to 7,558,616 miles in 1944. Statute miles covered have increased from 450,612 miles in 1934 to 1,309,020 miles in 1944.
Cubana unites all Cuba, aerially joining Hanava, Manzanville, Antilla, Santiago and Guantanamo. By other routes Cubana links the Cuban capital with Yaradero Beach and Cienfuegos and with Santiago, Antilla, Preston, Cayo Mambi and Baracoa. These Cuban cities are in turn linked by the international Clippers of Pan American with all countries of Latin America as well as the United States.
Recently appointed by PAA Vice-President Wilbur L. Morrison, Cubana’s general manager Gerard D. Grossman, has been with the airline almost since its inception. Starting with Pan American in 1929 as a traffic representative in Havana, Grossman was promoted in 1932 to district traffic manager. Five years later he was transferred to Miami as assistant to PAA’s Latin American division traffic manager. Returning to Cuba in 1942, he has served as senior representative for the international airline and as Cubana’s general manager.
Come On, Folks, Let’s Dance
PAA employees of the Latin American and Africa-Orient divisions in Miami will make merry from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Hangar C, Dinner Key. A ten-piece orchestra will furnish thfe music and Pan American will furnish soft drinks. A PAA identification card will admit employee and guest.