Evening journal., 1909-06-10
NATION HONORS
WRIGHT BROTHERS
President Taft Presents Them
With the Medals Voted By
the Aero Club
CEREMONY TOOK PLACE
IN THE WHITE HOUSE
BY unlsea Press leased spseIu wlr.

by United Press Leased Special wirA
WASHINGTON, June 1O-Orvillo and
Wilbur Wright. the American kings
Of the air, received from the hands Of
President Taft this afternoon. the
magnificent gold medals voted them
by the Aero Club of America for their
achievements in aviation.
Tho presentation took place In the
beautiful east room OF the White
House, and was witnessed by a throng
of distinguished scientists, diplomats,
officials and military men. and their
ladies, that crowded the great apart
ment 70 its doors
with dihidence manifested by
downcast eyes, and hesitating, almost
inaudible speech. the brothers ACCEPT
GO the medals from tho President and
voiced their thanks.
To-day's official recognition by the
United states Of the vslue OF the
Wright brothers achievements, was a
/ trifie tardy. Already they had been
feted and ovated lionlzed and ban
/ quoted abroad
Roosevelt Suggested Medals.
President Roosevelt. who originally
suggested that the medal presentation
take place at the White House. ex-
pected 70 hand them the golden tokens
himself last winter, but the protracted
stay Of the Wrlghts In Europe disar-
ranged the plans, and gave our cousins
in the old word, the opportunity first
TO pat them on the hack.
Standing near Orviue and Wilbur
Wright, when Mr.. Taft gave them The
medals, was their sister, Miss Kath-
crime. who has been their constant
companion here and abroad for many
months. She It was who nuraed or
willie back 10 health and strength af-
ter the fan from the aeroplane al
Fort Myer last September. when
Lieutenant Selfridge was dashed tc
death, and she II was who cheercd
them on in workshop and field from
the beginning Of their experiments e
the present day. The happiness or
her face to-day showed plainly enough
that she realized their triumph and
enjoyed it TO the full.
Herbert w. Parsons. the New Yorl
Congressman. introduced the Wright
TO President Taft. with a brief speech
recountlug their achievements. At IN
conclusion of his remarks. Presiden
Taft stepped forward, handed then
the medals. and told them how wei
pleased he was 20 perform the Office.
The two medals. which are identlca
in design. were the work Of Artist V
B. Brenners. one side Is blank. Will
the exception of a small representation
OF the Wright aeroplane in flight a
the top. and a miniature reproduction
of the Aero Clubs seal at the bottom
on the other side beneath the word
Aero Club of American" are over
tapping profile portraits of the tw
brothers. with the inscriptions:
"W. Wright September 2i 1908. L
! Mans. France" and 80. Wright. Sep
tember 3. 1908. Fort Myer, Va, u
S. A."
World Breaking Records.
These refer 10 the two world break
ing records made by the two brothers
when Wilbur flew sixty-one miles q
one hour. 81 minutes and 81 seconds
and Orvile remained In the air on
hour. two minutes and fifteen seconds
distance unrecorded. The medals cos
$1,000 and were paid for by member
| Of the Aero Club. no individual sub
I, scrlptlon Of more than $50 being nc
cepted.
The presentation In the east room
was only one incident Of a strenu
! Gus day for the Wrights. They reach
ed town at $40 a. M; were met at IN
& station by a committee from the Aer
% Club and Cosmos Club; were taken t
the Cosmos Club for breakfast Mis-
! Wright went to the home of Mrs. {
r j. Bell. wife Of the treasurer of tn
q Washington Aero Club. At 1890 ther
was luncheon at the Cosmos Club,
O which $50 scientists and men Of affair
had been invited, and then there wa
a reception. General Robert Sha'
oliver. assistant secretary of war, wa
at the head Of the receiving line an
was assisted by VIM. A. De Caindr,
2 vice-president Of the Cosmos Club. AZ
- ter that the Wrights were taken I
the White House.