New-York tribune., 1909-06-11
WRLGHTS GET MEDALS
Presentation Made By Dir. Taft at
the White House.
rFronn The Tribune Bureau.1

Was eton. June 10.-The President, SuTrouiluSA
by one Of the most notable gatherings ever as
sen7bled in the historic East Room. presented on
hahalf of the Aero Club Of America two golu
medals TO Orville and Wilbur Wright this aIteI
noon in recognition of their achievements IN thl9
country and in Europe with their heavier -
machines After a short reception In the Blue
Room the President preceded by the members VI
the Cabinet and the Diplomatic Corps Wilour ana
Orvile Wright and Miss katherine Wrlsht, Nep
resentative Herbert Parsons his military alos anu
several others went to the East Room "heIe h'e
hundred guests awaited them.
President Taft made a happy response TO an au
dress Of Introduction and praise OF the "t!9
brothers by Representative Parsons The FTesiueIl
not only expressed his appreciation OF tne Ho
conferred on him through his being able to preseh.
10 two Americans gold medals in recognition oi
their achievements. but expressed ms regret ti -
the successful flights had not been accoHili9n.u
before his predecessor left office so that ne
have enioveC q trip through the air as Hiucn ao
he did his trip under water in one oil the 10
submarines He expressed the belef that llle"
fving machine will be the basis for future aeI "a,
craft and made the prophecy that the da"h VI - ~
age Of fight Is here. The address was applauoeu'
"a +be quests declared that 'ft couldn't have
been better"
The President spoke follows;
esteem it great honor and an opportunity to to
present these medals to you as an evidence AZ. oI
{9g h9ye sboW 60Rs that am IN A@rea
that "a prophet is not without hoh4Fb bg @ te note no
% stan in human discovery by paying honor TO
men oa VINO m Pe course that we Of America like feel
is distincively American-by keeping gou5 gs5 nbot
right at the job until you had accomplished what
you had determined TO do. a.. r,,,o,+.oI
1t has been said that this is ths asSs nTSs sshins
ton Well all have to say is that h5a a pr PE fsr
when he office they have o-day would mot n5t
marine boat but would have gone up into the ar
in flying machine No one had more se eeriigsl gs
Interest a more active interest and greater ue-
sire to see into the things that make Tor progress
There may be some reasons why some Presidents
have not figured in aeronautics. see that these ne
strmcted more the plan of the birds than some
NJ Justice Brown. in commenting on the law Of
patents which is supposed to follow the PrQRs. Rt
rule in awarding merit to discovery: says ts ma
that is the difference between failure az ana sue sue
I doubt not that whatever improvements s. are are
hereafter made for sailing the air IN msfnneS ma mes
discovered and applied and the method OF their
application will be the basis OF al succesSluI
0'rs don't like to think and decline to think 1 that 9st
for human use are to be confined in their utility
to war presume that u.eg VII VII ~ ne rsnre
senfetives Of the various governments ought 70
look at this matter, following the rules OF gov
utility in war: but sincerely nope lhat tnese t
machines will be increased in usefulness to such such
as not for us may count on 6eif n tires ~ pescs
Many great discoveries have come BY accldent
a truth that developed itself into great dis
covery. hut you gentlemen have illustrated the
other and on the whole much more comnendaoie
method You planned what YOU wished 70 hnd
and then You Horked It Tnt ] Foq
you on the recognition ihat, you nave EeTeIre cs e
eratilat4 YOU that in receiving it Won maintained
the modest and dignned demesnor worthy OF
American citizenship.
4 Holland Forbes. the winner NJ the recent na-
tfons balloon race and acting president Of the Aero
,1,,b ~ America handed the medals 10 the presi-
dent on behalf Of the Aero Club
After President Taft had congratulated the
Wrigh, brothers individually he TUNED To Miss
Wright ana said. And ! want 70 congratulate the
most important member Of the family"
Preceding the presentation az the White House
n luncheon was given AZ the Cosmos Club FOR the
Wrights and the visiting members Of the Aero club
of America bv the Aero Club of Washington
The day was one Of celebration in honor Of the
WriRhfs from the time they arrived early in the
r,orrirr until o'clock tonight when they left the
cit, FOR Dayton The two brothers walked together
To tho once Of General James Allen. the chief Sig
nal officer to consult him about the ofhoal trials
~ rheir aeroplane which are 20 be resumed by Or
,u,a Wright G + TAYLOR. tho mechanic who ac-
oor,nanied Mr. Wright 20 Fort Myer last summer,
viii set VI, the AeropIane at Fort Myer and ~ s eN
pected that the flights will be resumed on June a.
The tests must be finished June 2s, but II IS be-
liavAd that the time will he extended necessary
or,.Ie Wright said that the machine will be prac-
tcaIly Identical with that used by him last year.
with the exception Of an Improvement on the guy
wires supporting the rudder The same motor used
on the machine that was wrecked will be used In
the new aeroplane. It Will he sent 70 washington
early next week.
Before starting for home tonight the Wright
marty was entertained at dinner by Charles Jerome
Edwards. treasurer of the Aero Club Of America
Among those who met the Wright brothers at the
s.ation was Victor David Brenner. of New York
who designed the medals presented 10 them