The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-15
AERO TRIP ENDS
AT WHITE HOUSE
President Taft Sees Atwood Land
Safely on Executive
Mansion Lawn.
FLIGHT IN 25-MlLE BREEZE
Aviator Is rendered Luncheon
by Washington Chamber
OF Commerce.
FLIGHT IN 25-MlLE BREEZE

Washington, D. c.. July 14.-With a
twenty-hve-mile -an-hour wind against
him. Harry n. Atwood. shortly after .
o'clock this afternoon, performed the
most brilliant feat of his career as an
aviator by shutting off the motor of
his biplane while over the tree tops OF
the White House lawn, and gliding TO
safe stop within a few feet OF the
rear of the residence OF the President
OF the United States.
The performance. which for skill and
daring will have a lasting place in the
history of aerial navigation, was the
more unusual in that the young avi-
ator knew the velocity of the wind
beforehand, and expressed to friends
the difficulty which he expected to en-
counter. He could not have met them
more successfully.
The feat of making a safe landing
in the White House grounds is con-
sidered remarkable by aviation en-
perts. for not only is the space on
which he landed narrow. but the den
sity of the trees offers such difficulties
that other aviators have baked" at
the idea of landing there.
President Taft. who. after the land
ing. presented Atwood with a medal
on behalf of the Aero Club of Wash
ington. and the mother of the aviator,
who arrived in Washington this morn
ing, were the most interested OF the
thousands of Washingtonians who wit
messed the flight and its conclusion.
Remarkable Ascension.
After the presentation of the medal
Atwood made remarkable ascension
through the spray OF the White House
fountain and flew to the Polo field in
Potomac Park. The machine was
left there for the night. guarded by a
detail OF police The aviator was
called suddenly to New York and left
late this afternoon, but expects to
return tomorrow and fly back to Col
leGe Park. Md.
In his remarks to the aviator. Presi-
don't Taft expressed his qualification
in presenting the medal.
Il hope it will he only one of a
ereat many that will come to you in
the future" he said "and that they
will come with as little injury and as
little danger as YOU exhibited in NV
ing down here to the White House
grounds"
The flight to the White House was
made from the polo field. where At
wood landed at noon in n record
breaking trip from College Park. The
machine remained on the field until 1t
was taken up in the air to continue
on its journey 10 the White House.
Arrives Ahead of Time.
While members 0! the Chamber of
Commerce were waiting at the cham
Der rooms at noon to-day. where
luncheon was given the aviator. At
wood surprised everybody by dying
into the city two hours ahead OF
scheduled time.
Leaving College Park at nine min
utes OF e o'clock. the young Boston
ian landed exactly a noon on the polo
field He followed the river course,
which made a distance of approximate
~ twelve miles. covered in nine min
utes This easily establishes the rec
ord for the quickest flight from Col
lege Park TO the capital.
What made the flight still more re-
markaole VS. the fact that Atwood
left the army aviation field in pour
ing rain He was thoroughly drenched
when he reached the polo field. which
necessi,ated his going directly to the
New Willard to secure change OF
clothing.
Atwood reached the chamber rooms
at twenty minutes past noon. exactly
twenty-nine minutes after he had left
College Park, which included the time
(coRtiRued on Fifth Pagel