The Washington herald., 1911-07-15

White Lot, but Atwood laughed at the
thought He would go out as he came
in, he averred, even II the feat was
vastly more difficult
The engine roared and the forward
planes began to lift. The biplane slowly
shook of the spell OF terra firma and
caught the air. At first 1t seemed 1t
would hardly be able TO get above the
trees fringing the Ellipse peyond the
White House roadway. To those who
remembered the grass-cutting days Of
the old Wright machine at Fort Myer,
1t seemed impossible the aeroplane could
clear the trees and gain much lifting
force in the comparatively short space
allowed It.
He Knew the Moth.
But Atwood knew the Moth. and he
made his exit as cleverly as his com
ing. He skinned above the trees. his
propeller blades creating panic among
the foliage, and made a bee line for
his improvised hangar at Potomac
Park. He got there in a few minutes,
said "good-by' to a couple of mechan-
icians. and jumped into an automobile
for his hotel. preparatory for his jour-
ney to New York.
His purpose in making the trip is to
attend to some private business con-
nected with aviation. and probably an
important announcement will be made
when he returns to the city to-day.
The Moth will make the trip back to
College Park this afternoon, with At
wood at the helm. Whether he flies
hon IN crfn
depends upon the outcome Of his trip.
Atwood probably will stay in wash
ington over Sunday. and there is a pos
sibility he will spend a week longer
here, resting up" There is no ques-
tion he is sadly in need of recuperation,
as no aviator can keep up his pace of
the last two weeks without a complete
nervous breakdown. Atwood, although
he is loath to talk about 1t, Is feeling
the effects of the strain, and some of
his friends say they see its manifesto
tions in the abruptness with which he
makes up his mind and the equal
abruptness with which he changes It.
With his mother, the birdman is highly
pleased over his reception in the city.
The medal which he received from the
hands Of President Taft yesterday, the
first official recognition Of his record
breaking flight, meant more to him than
any money prize, and he feels now he
has established his fame securely and
can IN future work entirely from the
commercial standpoint.
Atwood reached the Chamber Of Com
merce rooms at 1920 o'clock, looking
fresh and natty, exactly twenty-nine
minutes after he had left College Park.
The flight was a notable one in point of
speed, as the trip from College Park
to the polo grounds was made in nine
minutes. It was made in a driving rain,
when speed would, of all things, be the
least expected.
Ready for the Luncheon.
He reached the city exactly at noon
and took twenty minutes at the New
Willard to prepare himself for lunch
con. When he arrived at the Chamber
OF Commerce he was presented to Capt.
Oyster, president Of the organization,
and the individual members. Then fol-
lowed buffet luncheon, and at / o'clock
the aviator went back to the New Will
lard, and from there to his biplane.
An hour later he was ready to take
the air. and after the engine had been
tuned up. he sailed away shortly after
2:3o o'clock in the direction Of the Monu-
ment The afternoon programme went
OF without hitch, and Atwood was
cheered By a great throng which as
sembled in the White Lot on the
strength OF his exploits Of the previous
evening