Evening Star Newspaper, April 19, 1937, Page 20

THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1937. WHY DODGE THIS QUESTION: Afraid to Fly? By S know that fear keeps many people @Q{b"w slower forms of transportation.” No one from enjoying the advantages of air trans- portation. So why showld we be sdemt on this swhject? Regrettable as it is, the records show there beve been accidents and fatalities in every form of transportation. What we do not understand, is why some people assoctate danger with a transport plane more than they do with a train, a boat, 4 motor car, an interurban, or a bus. Is it because airline accidents have received more publicity? The fact s, there ere risks involved in 2f kinds of travel. T ¥s abso a fact that the air trumsportation indaustry bas shown greaterprogressand achicved a much bigher standard of efficiency 2 a shorter span of years than any other form of transportation the Why quote statistics? They are not always conclusive. They are often only controversial. I could show you figures to prove that you would have to fly around the world 425 times —or make approximately 14,165 flights back and forth be- tween New York and Chicago— before you would be Iiable to meet with an accident. Do these statistics overcome your fear of flying? I think not. There is only one way to overcome that fear—and that is, to fly. * Many of our regular passengers, who now prefer air travel o any other form of transportation, admit they were very timid about their first flight. Perhaps you say: “It is my basi- ness ¥ 1 want © go on being afraid and confine myself to PRESIDENT AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC: questions that. The question is: “Is it good business?” Maybe your competrtor is flying. Many people lived and died who never rode on a train be- caunse they were afraid. Today we smile at those old-fashioned fears. And today, to the more than a million airline passen- gers of last year, the fear of air travel is just as old-fashioned. American Airfines, Inc. has carried more than a mrillion passengers. These peopie travel by air for the same reason they use the telephone, send telegrams, and ride in elevators. It is a quicker, more modern, more efficient way to accom- plish what they want to do. Are airfines safer than railroads? You can find intefligent peopie .to take both sides of the argument. Whether you fly or not, does not alter the fact that every form of transportation has one thing in common — risk! No form of transportation— on the ground, on the water, or in the air— can guarantee its passengers absolute immunity from danger. This whole sabject of fear about flying can be summed up as follows: PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF THE THINGS THEY DO NOT KNOW ABOUT. You would be equally afraid of trains if you had never ridden on one. As soon as you become acquainted with air transportation your fear will be replaced by your exjoyment of the many