The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-11
Gold Medals Are Presented to
 the Great AViatofs
AFROPLANE ID BE TESTED
orvilIe Wright Will Fly His Machine at Fort Myer to Fulfill Condi- tions to Secure Award From
 the Government.

luC 0ONCiHfHCHls Washington, June 10-The appreciation, good will and congratulations of the American people were today extended to Wilbur and Orville Wright, the Ameri- can aviators, by the President of the United States.
 The occasion was the presentation of the gold medals awarded to the Wright brothers by the Areo Club of America 10 commemorate the conquest of the air. In the presence of dsting guished statesmen, foreign diplomats the mem bers of the cabinet, noted scientists and prominent aeronauts and aviators, the two inventors of the first successful flying ma- chine heavier than air, received the first public recognition of their achievements from their fellow countrymen.
 President Taft in handing the medals to the brothers expressed keen admir- ation for their work and ventured the belief that their flying machine will be the basis for the future aerial craft and made the prophecy that the dawn of the age of flight is here. The Wrights were introduced to the President by Rep- resentative Herbert Parsons of New York. who paid glowing tribute to their personal qualifications.
 A. Holland Forbes, winner of the re- cent national balloon race and acting president of the Aero Club of Amer ica, turned the medals over to the Pres ident on behalf of the Aero club.
 Miss Katherine Wright sister of the aeroplanists, accompanied her brothers and was quite as much lionized.
 After President Taft had congratulated the Wright brothers individually he turned to Miss Wright and said: And want to congratulate the most import ant member of the family
 Luncheon to Avlators.
 Preceding the presentation at the White House luncheon was given at the Cos mos club to the Wright brothers and the visiting members of the Areo Club Of America by the Areo Club of Wash ington.
 The day was one of celebration in hon. or of the Wrights from the time they rived in the morning until o'clock to- night when they left for Dayton.
 The two brothers walked together to the office of Gen. James Allen, the chief signal officer. to consult him about the official trials of their aeroplane, which are to be resumed by Orville Wright.
 C. E. Taylor, the mechanic who &C., companied Orville to Fort Myer last summer, will set up the aeroplane at Fort Myer and 1t Is expected that flights will be resumed on June 21.
 The tests must be concluded by June 2S, but it is expected the time will be ex- tended, if necessary.
 Orville Wright said the machine will be practically identical with that used by him last year, with the exception of an improvement on the guy wires sup porting the rudder, The same motor that was used on the machine that was wrecked will be used in the new aero plane It will be sent to Washington early next week.
 Before leaving for home tonight the Wright party were entertained at dinner by Charles Jerome Edwards, treasurer of the Aero Club of America.
 Taft's Address.
 In presenting the medals President Taft said:
 q am glad-perhaps at a delayed hour to show that in America 1t is not true that a prophet Is not without honor save in his own country It Is especially gratifying thus to note a great step in human discovery by paying honor to mon who bear 1t so modestly. You made this discovery by a course that we of Amer ica like to feel Is distinctively Ame~- ican--by keeping your nose right st the job until you had accomplished what you had determined to do.
 q had a predecessor who, If aeronau- tics had proceeded as far when he left office as they have today, would not only have gone down under the water in submarine boat, but would have gone up into the air in a flying machine.
 "There may be some good reasons why some Presidents have not figured in aero- aautics. I see that these gentlemen who have flown in the air are constructed more on the plan of the birds than some of us.
 Many great discoveries have come by accidents, but you gentlemen planned what you wished to find and then worked 1t out until you found 1t.
 T congratulate you on the result. oongratulate you on the recognition that you have received from all the crowned heads of Europe, and I congratulate you that in receiving 1t you maintained the modest and dignified demeanor worthy of American citizenship"
 
 was ended and veterans special trains be- gan to leave the city at p. m. The move ment will continue all night and tomor- row the immense throng of visitors will have been taken away.
 The ball to the sponsors maids and matrons tonight was the one big social event of the reunion. It was opened by the famous southern cross drill, and 1000 couples participated in the dance, despite the suffocating heat.
 Another Veteran Dies.