The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-04

officials OF the Post-office Department.
the War Department. and the Navy
Department yesterday showed that their
policy Is and will be TO place every
facility In the way Of furthering aero
nautical experiments.
Without a formal request being made.
Postmaster General Hitchcock directed
that permission be given 20 Aviator ].
a d. McCurdy TO carry mail in his
experimental flight from the steamship
Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, of the Ham
burg american Line, tomorrow, while
fifty miles at sea, and deliver IL in New
York
Reekman Winthrop, Acting Secretary
OF the Navy. directed that two torpedo
boat destroyers be used during the ex-
pertinent for safety purposes, and also
as places OF vantage for the two naval
officers he also detailed to observe the
flight, which will, il is believed. be of
considerable value as 20 the possibilities
OF using aeroplanes in connection with
war vessels.
Officers TO See Flight.
orders were also sent to New York
by the War Department that one or
more officers be detailed 10 witness and
report on the feat for the benefit of
aeronautics IN the United States army.
II is probable that these officers will
nc Mai. s. Reber. Chief Signal Officer of
the Department OF the East, and Lieut.
Benjamin d. Foulois. OF the Signal Corps,
who is now in New York. having at
tended the Belmont Park international
meet
Capt w. l. Chambers. L. S N. who
has been specially designated to keep in
touch with aeronautcal matters for the
navy. will observe the experiment on
board one of the torpedo boat destroyers.
With him Will be Lieut.. Commander L. s.
Van Duzer, L. S, n, of the New York
Navy Yard.
IN connection with the use Of the tor
pedo-boat destroyers. it is understood
here thar the Hamburg-AmeTican Line
VIII have several Of its tugboats stationed
at intervals 70 patrol the course OF Nc
Curiys flight
When the matter was brought TO the
attention of Postmaster General Hitch
cock by officials of the Post-off1ee De-
parunent ne AT once became interested
and directed Joseph Stewart, Second As
sistant Postmaster General to notify the
general manager OF the Hamburg Ameri-
can Line that there would be no objec-
ton. providing the mail carried shall be
OF no value
VIII Carry Greetings.
II was suggested by post-OfIice officials
that the mail bag carry only letters and
cards Of greetings from the passengers
aboard the vessel. This will offer 10 a Sc
lected few the first opportunity OF send
ing mail by an aeroplane under the direct
supervision Of a government.
The letter sent by Mr.. Stewart 10 the
Hamburg american Lines New York Of
fees yesterday was as follows:
Referring 70 the announcements through the press
70 the effect that Aviator AicCurdy viii attempt to
~ hy seroplane 10 New York City from the deck
q the kaseTn Ausllste Victoria, which sails from
New York III II a. m. Saturday with mails for E.i-
rope, after the steamer is nifty miles out T.. SEA
carrying with him mail bag containing letters
non the Passenger, which he expects % deliver al
the New York p0st-oiiee. and 70 the inquiry as to
whether objection will be made By the post-ofice
Department. have 10 inform you that the depart
naent makes 10 objection 10 the procedure indicated
The department however desires that the sepders
a. any letteR which may be included in the mail
lag referred 20 he distinctly informed Of the means
hy which II Is proposed TO transport said bag 10 its
destination, ard the Postmaster General directs me
10 request that sou viii take the Necessary action to
that end.
II was explained by postal officials that
the use Of aeroplanes for the delivery
OF mail would not be approved by the
department as a permanent institution
until II has been shown that il was AS
sale and as rapid as the present means. !
Mails at present are taken from in
coming liners by transfer boats and
rushed in ahead OF the vessels, mail /
frequently being delivered before the |
vessel has reached its dock
Glenn Curfiss Tnferaxtaa
Glenn H. Curtiss. who was in Wash |
ington yesterday. is greatly interested
in the contemplated flight and experi- |
ment It was his opinion that the next
feat TO be tried viii be the landing of I
aeroplanes on the deck of a steamship.