Professor Baker Declines Post as Aeronautics Head

Because the $10,000 salary was "too low," George Pierce Baker, Jr. '25, James J. Hill Professor of Transportation, yesterday turned down the chairmanship of the federal Civil Aeronautics Board. The post had been offered to him by President Truman.

Professor Baker declined the position despite an offer from the University to pay him for working here over weekends. Federal lawyers decided that it was illegal for a CAB member to held another job, and it seemed unlikely that President Truman would ask Congress to rule an exception in this case.

Salary Too Low

With a wife and four children, Professor Baker did not believe that the $300-a-week salary would be enough to live on.

The CAB's powers consist of determining national airline routes and regulating the operation of plane companies.

The Board has lacked a chairman since January 1, when Truman refused to reappoint James M. Landis, former Law School Dean. Since then half a dozen men have turned down the job, chiefly because of the insufficient salary.