Evening star., 1909-06-18
THREE MEDALS FOR WR|GATS
NATION. STATE AND HOME CITY
HONOR AvIAToRS.
Presentations Made by Gen. Allen
Gov. Harmon and Mayor
Burkhart

DAYTON, Ohio, June 1s.-Nation. state
and the city in which they live today
paid tribute to wT1bdr and Orville Wright,
the aviators.
Standing ON platform not far from
their unpretentious little aeroplane fac
tory. and almost within sight of fed
where they first struggled with the prob
lem Of aerial navigation, Gen. James
Allen. chief signal officer Of the army.
assigned by Secretary of War Dickinson
for tie purpose. presented to the Wright
brothers the gold medals authorized BY
act of Congress.
\, the same time were given them
diamond-studded medal bearing the Off
cial seal of the state of Ohio and an
other from Dayton. their home city. The
state medal was presented by Gov. Har
mon of Ohio. the Dayton pedal by Mai.
Edward l.. BurkhaIt Of Dayton.
Baron kogoro Takahira. japanese am
bassadnr, and Carlos G.. Eeiez. Cuban
minister, were among those present at the
ceremony.
History of Locomotion.
After the presentation the crowds wit
messed a parade of floats depicting the
development of locomotion in America.
This was headed by an Indian runner ana.
after the various stages from the OK
cart the automobile had been shown.
was concluded by aeroplanc with the
suggestion that the next route lor speed
ing would be among the clouds.
Although this, the second day of Day
tons ''Iiomecom ng' celebration was
crowded with events arranged In their
honor. the Wrights found time to labor
at their workshops preparing for de
parturc To Washington, where they To
resume flights for the government next
week. Wilbur Wright said they hoped TO
leave tomorrow.
AS soon as the governments require
fneuts are fulfilled 1t is expected they
will sail for Germany to take UP work for
the German government.
Gen. Aliens Speech.
In presenting the government medals
Gen. Allen gave a history of the relation
between the United States government
and the Wright brothers in the purchase
of an aeroplane.
He stated that so far as he knew the
contract entered into by the Wright
brothers for furnishing the government
with heavier-than-air flying machine
| was the first public contract ever made
| by any government for aeronautical ap-
plances of this kind.
"Orville and Wilbur Wright have by
| their genius and perseverance done honor
TO the United States he said. The
United States. in return, has signally
| it's Congress and the presentation of
these medals dcsi igned ny the Secretary
of War, III compliance with that reSn-
| luton and with the cooperation of the
/ Secretary Of the Treasury struck at the
United States mint in Philadelphia
Wright Brothers Respond.
In accepting the medals. Wilbur Wright
said:
1T is naturally with feeling of pride
that we accept these tokens. and ! wish
To thank the people of the United States,
OF Ohio and of Dayton.
1T Is sometimes said inventors usually
do not receive the sympathy and encour-
agerneut which is their due. This cannot
| be said of us. Even in the infancy of our
work We received offers of financial as
Sistancs from people who could nave no
hope Of reward.
The poets sometimes have occasion TO
complain Of their lack of substantial
sympathy, yet ] have no doubt that If
81 10000 would bring another Shake
speare or Tenpyson. the money would
be forthcoming in this country within
i've minutes. If poets and inventors do
| not get their dues 1t Is rather because
| the world is unaware of their needs than
| because Of Indifference
Orville Wright said:
II wish our work was commensurate
with the honors that have been heaped
| upon US. Thank you"
The benediction was pronounced by
Bishop Milton Wright. the venerable
| father Of the aviators. Present also were
other members OF the Wright family.
Aeroplane at Fort Myer.
| The Wright aeropIane, accompanied by
| {. e. Taylor. chief mechanic of the