AVIATION: On the Beam

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After just 14 months at the controls of storm-tossed T.W.A., President Ralph S. Damon had the airline on the beam again. Last week he reported a profit of $3,708,845 for 1949, the first since 1945. Damon modestly gave most of the credit to "increased efficiencies within the company," notably an $859,000 saving from the elimination of an overhaul base at Newcastle, Del. But passenger revenues had also increased 7%, up to $78,558,162, partly due to the replacement of small and old DC-3s by new and bigger Constellations. T.W.A., which has 20 new Constellations on order, has also earmarked some $15 million for 30 new Martin 4-0-4s to take care of its medium-and short-haul traffic.