The Washington herald., 1909-10-31
HUMPHREYS GETS
AVIATION DEGREE
Lieutenant Is Graduated by
Prof. Wright with HOnOrs.
SAVES BIPLANE FROM INJURY
when Engine Dies in Hidair. the
Lieutenant showed skin by Land
ing SafeIy-WiI Attend War Col
IcEe-Chairman NOrment Optimis-
tie Regarding Bid for Meet.

Lieut. r. e. Humphreys. OF the En-
gneer Corps whom the Signal Corps has
been keeping in trust since the middle
NJ June. and whom Prof. Wilbur Wright
has been instrucUpg in the gentle art
of aeropane operation. received his dip
loms rom the hands OF the professor last
night and tomorrow goes back TO the
War College in Washington 10 continue
his studies.
In a few days he expects to take the
examination for his step" but q is under
stood that he will be permitted TO attend
scnool Of applied aeronautics in the
afternoon to take a little more post
graduate work
Early yesterday morning Lieut. Hum
phrcys showed his nerve and skill by
bringing the Wright machine down from
an elevation OF thirty feet after a sudden
stop Of the engine Ia midair. Last night
with Lieut.. Foulols I'm the passengers
seat. he made the longest two-man flight
any one has made in this country except
a Wright brother, and in addition 10 all
this the professor himself complimented
him upon his work
Makes "a Good Operator,
81 am certainly sorry 10 see Lieut..
Humphreys go. said Mr.. Wright He
rs a good man. and viii make good
operator" That was the diploma from
the head of the school.
The Wright machine came rather close
10 nm accident in the morning. Lieut.
Humphreys had taken up Lieut. Foulois,
starting az SAP O'Clock. The two officers
had been flying smoothly for ten minutes,
when the engine stopped suddenly.
At the time Lieut.. Humphreys was just
about 10 make the turn at the west end
OF the field and start southwark. When
the engine stopped. the machine swOOped
downward and sweryed 10 one side With
in ten feet Of the ground. however. Lieut.
Humphreys caught the air with his for
ward plane. and with a sharp turn
brought the machine upward. and then
Jet il settle TO the earth. Neither he nor
Lieut.. Foulois was injured. nor was the
hipIane damaged.
a tooth Of a cocwheel attached 10 the
magnetic had broken. 81 was discovered,
and this caused the engine 20 stop. Mr..
Wright happened 10 be on the ground at
the time. back from a visit 20 New York.
He said the machine could do almost as
good work without the TOOTH and he
proved 20 be correct
school Record Broken.
Il was 4:ll O'Clock in the afternoon
when the second fight was begun.
Iieuts Lahm and Humphreys were the
occupants OF the seats. The flight lasted
fourteen minutes. AT o'clock Lieut..
Humphreys took up Lieut. Foulois They
STAYED in the air thirty-niue minutes.
breaking en- records at College Park for
two-man flights in which Brother VII
bur did not figure. The broken magnetic
tooth apparently had no bad effect upon
the biplane's living. because il sailed
Just as event. as before and almost as
fast
Mr.. Wright said last night that he ex-
pected 20 remain at College Park until
the middle Of next week.
College Park is the logical aviation
field for world meet in the opinion OF
Clarence r. NOrmeut. chairman OF the
finance committee OF 100 which is now
engaged in raising Washingtons $4,000
guarantee
Although Mr. Norment IS not as we'll
acquainted with the ground over which
the pupils OF Wilbur Wright are now
soaring. he is sufficiently familiar with
Washington topography 10 be satisfied
that IL offers the best advantages. both
because OF its level surface and prox-
unity to Baltimore and Washington.
a Central Spot.
College Park said Mr. Norment. !
Seems to me to be a sufficiently central
spot 70 be easily reached from this city
and Baltimore. II Is clearly an ideal
field for tho purposes OF aviation, being
level and clear Of heavy underbrush"
According 20 the reports Of members Of
the committee on finance. there will be
little difficulty In raising the $4,000 neces- |
sary before Washington's bid for the next
meet assumes the appearance Of n reality |
From different sources come small /
offers, which with the larger cOntribu- |
tions. VIII quickly enable Mr. NOrment
30 announce the accomplishment OF the !
task az hand-the raising Of $4,000
The first chance the general public will |
have 10 get gauge on the necessity OF |
raising the money within n stated time \
viii be tomorrow. when the committee !
OF 100 holds its first meeting Reports |
from all OF the members will be heard |
and an approximate idea OF the amount /
10 be contributed within week or so |
will be heard
st. Louis Man Praises.
According to Secretary Lambert. OF the |
St Louis Aero Club, there is only small |
possibility OF that city seriously con-
tending with Washington. Mr.. Lambert. |
while visiting College Park yesterday. ex- /
pressed himself as believing It one OF the 4
finest fields for aeronautic maneuvers in /
tire country.
Daniel Frazers contribution Of 500 yes
ierday raises the total amount OF the /
fund 10 $3.50. IL is believed that within /
week after the committee meets to- /
morrow the fund necessary will be |
raised
Five Matinees at BeIasco