Page 56 - Demo

In 1929, South Bend officials, Assistant Chief of Police John B. Kuespert, and representatives from Thompson Aeronautical Corporation, declared the third week of January to be Air Mail Week%u2014but there was no ceremony or celebration involved. Rather, the event was simply designed %u201cto stimulate additional interest and increased poundage%u201d in the use of Air Mail by local citizens and businesses.South Bend was first served by Air Mail just six months earlier, on July 17, 1928. Thompson Aeronautical Corporation was selected by the Post Office Department to be the contractor, flying a route known as CAM-27. The route connected cities as far apart as Chicago, Illinois and Buffalo, New York. In Indiana, CAM-27 served LaPorte, South Bend/Mishawaka, and Fort Wayne.In December, 1928, Thompson handled just 322 pounds and 11 ounces of mail in South Bend, a figure it wanted to increase to make the route more efficient and profitable. By comparison, during that same month, Detroit flew 1,457 pounds, Kalamazoo 842 pounds, and Muskegon 353 pounds. Still, South Bend did better than some other cities, such as Dearborn, which sent a paltry 43 pounds and 3 ounces by Air Mail that December. In fact, South Bend had the sixth most poundage of the 15 cities Thompson served in Indiana and Michigan. W. R. Voight and J. P. Sutherlin, both officials with Thompson Aeronautical, said they planned to make personal phone calls to many of the local corporations that used the Air Mall service, asking their cooperation.A simple cachet marking the event was made available for all Air Mail letters addressed to the attention of Assistant Chief of Police Kuespert. The cachet was for the benefit of stamp collectors, as well as anyone wanting a souvenir. Postmaster John N. Hunter of South Bend said the Post Office would play a prominent roll in making Air Mail Week a success.Cancelled on January 19, 1929, the 1st day of South Bend%u2019s Air Mail Week. Backstamped Forks, New York, January 29, 1929.