The U. S. Air Mail started its night flying service July 1, 1924. In spite of pessimistic predictions, its pilots managed to fly 1,200,000 miles without the loss of a life. A fatal parachute jump has now broken the record of safety. Clarence O. Gilbert, a onetime flying Army sergeant, was in the Air Mail pilot's reserve and was pressed into service during the holiday rush. He flew away from May wood Field, Chicago, at 7:10 one evening and, sailing westward, encountered a blinding snowstorm near Kaneville, Ill. His motor failed. A pilot under such conditions is helpless. He cannot...
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