The Washington herald., 1910-11-11
Special to The Washington Herald.

oietlat 70 lhe washington Herald.
Baltimore. Nd. Nov. l0-Count jacques
de Lesseps. in his French Bleriot, had two
very distinguished passengers with him
this afternoon and initiated them into the
mysteries and delights of aerial navlea
tion. The fever of the man bird seems to
be catching, especially for men In public
life and so Postmaster General Frank II.
Hitchcock and Gen. James A. Allen. Chief
OF the Signal Corps, L. S. A., persuaded
the count to let them follow in the foot
steps Of ex-President Roosevelt.
After Count de Lesseps had landed
safely from one of his flights. Col. joyce
brought him over TO the royal box and
introduced him 10 the notables who were
there from Washington. Secretary Dick
inson had made several trips in aero
planes, but Postmaster General Hitchcock
had never gone through space before. and
so no asked the count 10 take ii.m IN for
short journey. When this request was
translated into French de Lesseps readily
consented. and the Bleriot was wheeled
Up to the extreme northern end or the
held and Mr.. Hitchcock prepared to leave
The earth for a few miEUtes.
Hitchcock Delighted.
He shook hands with all his friends in
the box, not he loosely said. with any
idea OF leaving them permanently but
merely for the sake of formality. and
then walked up the field TO the place
where the machine was. Some one
loaned him rain coat and = can. and he
left his conventional habiliments with
one OF the officers
he was not at all afraid. or even
alarmed. he said, after making three Iaps
OF the field and alighting Indeed" he
continued, the sensation WAS most de- /
hghtfuL The wind was at times pretty |
strong and gUsty and the machine /
seemed TO rock good deal but that
Is probably only natural"
Perhaps" II was suggested to Mr.
Hitchcock as he walked away over To- /
ward the hangers, where he inspected /
all OF the different makes Of machines. /
you wouldn't feel the same way if you |
were married. the Postmaster General /
being one of the Cabinet officers who
proudly claims 10 be a bachelor.
Well, I don't know about that" was /
the reply. AS ! have never been 1
through The mill, and can't speak from
experience"
Later. when Hoxsey's machine had
come over from Halethorpe. Mr.. Hitch
cock asked permission to go up in the
biplane. which is one Of the Wright's
two-passenger types. But the wind AZ
this time had increased a good deal in
It's velocity and HOXsey said that he was
afraid to go up with q passenger.
Four Circuits Made.
The next one to venture in the air was
Gen. James A. Allen Count de Lessons
took him up also. and tae two made four
circuits Of the course II was the first
time that Gen Allen had been in the
air. but, Ike all the others who were
taken up his nerve did not desert him.
When the passage over the battle shin
painted on the field was made Gen. Allen
had a chance 10 see whether the Bleriot
could be OF any great practical utility
in naval warfare. and upon his getting
down on the ground he said that he
thought that airships would prove of inn
mense value.
Il believe" he continued. that the hi
plane has the greater carrying power
but that is only my personal view. Ny
trip In the monoplane was very fine. al
though the count says that We did not
go very Iast. The machine certainly was
a beautiful one. and the fight which we
|Af'NN oSDAt4Su 10 liS 70 pe a very pretty
one
The government at the present time
IS anxious TO see some machines which
have carrying power of 800 pounds, and
We are very anxious 10 secure some.
James Radley. of England, who was
slated 10 make the fight from HaIethorpe |
TO Washington to-day. stated that he
could not attempt It on account OF the
weather.
II could not think OF flying in the face
Of the storm that seems TO be approach
ing. said Radley. but I will do the
thing the first opportunity that presents
itself. II IL is clear tomorrow | will
attempt the flight then"
Visitors from Capital.
This being army and navy day, a large
number Of officers and diplomats were
present on the field Among them. be-
sides those mentioned above, were the
Secretary of War and Mrs. Dickinson. J.
j. Louden. Minister from the Neither
lands; Col o. c. Staples, Count date.
Mrs Warren G. Price, Or. and Mrs Rev
noids. Mrs. Charles Eshrnan. Mrs. G. "
WOtherspoon. and Mr.. and Mrs Thomas
Nelson Page.