The Detroit times., 1909-06-10
KINGS Of THE AIR
RECEIVE MEDALS
President Taft Hands Wright Broth
ers Magnificent Gold Badges
Voted By Aero Club.

WASHINGTON. June 1o.-orville
and Wilbur Wright. the American
kings of the air, received from the
hands of President Taft this after
noon. the magnificent gold medals vot-
ed them by. the Aero club OF America
for their achievements In AVIATION.
The presentation took place IN the
east room OF the White House and
was witnessed by throng OF DIS
tinguished scientists. diplomats, OIL
Gals and military men. ana their Ia
dies that crowded the great apart
ment To It's doors.
With a diffidence manifested by
downcast eyes and hesitating. almost
inaudible speech. the brothers accept
ted the medals from the president
and voiced their thanks. After II was
all over they breathed a sigh of relief
and had they been allowed to do so
would have escaped from the recep-
ton committee and fed from the
crowd. But there was more hand
shaking to be done and more lauda-
tory speeches to be heard before they
could board their train for Dayton.
Recognition 10 Tardy.
Today's oficial recognition by the
United States of the value of the
Wright brothers achievements was a
trife tardy. Already they had been
lionized and banQuetted abroad.
President Roosevelt, who originally
suggested that the medal presenta-
ton take place at the. White House.
expected to hand them the golden
tokens himself last winter. But the
protracted stay of the Wrights In Eu-
rope disarranged the plans, and gave
our cousins In the old world the OPP
portunity Of first patting them on the
backs.
Standing near Orville and Wilbur
Wright, when President Taft gave
them the medals. was their sister,
Miss Katherine, who has been their
constant companion here and abroad
for many months.
She II was who nursed Orville back
to health and strength after the fall
OF the aeroplane at Fort Myer last
September. when Lieut.. Selfridge was
dashed TO death. and she 1t was who
has cheered the workshop and field
from the beginning OF their expert
ments to the present day. The hap
piness on her face today, plainly
enough showed that she realized
their triumph and enjoyed 1t to the
full
Herbert w. Parsons, the. New York
congressman, introduced the Wrights
to President Taft with brief speech.
recounting their achievements. At the
conclusion of his remarks. President
Taft stepped forward, handed them
the medals. and told them how well
pleased he was to perform the office.
Medals Cost $4,000.
The two medals. which are identi-
cal in design. are the work OF Art
list d. v. Breenerss One side Is black,
with the exception of a small repre-
sentation OF the Wright aeroplane In
fight at the top, and miniature re-
production of the Aero clubs seal at
the bottom On the other side. be-
meath the words Aero club OF Am
erica are overlapping profile por'
traits OF the two brothers. with the
inscriptions: wv. Wright. Sept. FL.
1908. Lemans, France. -" and D.
Wright, Sept. 9, 1908, Fort Myer, Va.
U. 8. A"
These refer to the two world
breaking records made by the two
brothers when Wilbur few 81 miles
In hour 81 minutes 81 seconds. and
Orville remained In the air l hour 2
minutes and 10 seconds, distance un.
recorded. The medals cost $4,000