Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-12
NEXT CALL FORMAL
Atwood Going to White House
in Airship.
WITH PRESIDENT TODAY
Interview Preliminary to More I'm
portant Ceremonial.
PRESENTATION OF GOLD MEDAL
Gift From the Aero Club to Be De-
livered Friday-Aviator's
Future Program.
PRESENTATION OF GOLD MEDAL

Future program.
If all goes we'll with the wright-Burgess
aeroplane. Harry N. Atwood will jump
from College Park to the White House
lawn Friday. and get q gold medal from
the hands of President Taft He will
also have luncheon at the Chamber Of
Commerce with members of the Aero
Club. army officers and others interested
in aviation. The birdman, whose wings
have been temporarily clipped, called on
the President this morning, and told his
story Of his recent cross-country flights
The reception accorded him by the Presi-
dent was q mere preliminary to the call
Mr.. Atwood expects to make via the air
route Friday.
Pleases the President.
President Taft was pleased over the
prospect of q caller in an aeroplane, as
he was not at home when Grahame-
White made his spectacular landing in
Executive avenue. Preparations for the
call are now practically complete. The
Aero Club Of Washington is looking after
the medal which Atwood will receive
from the hands Of the President. On one
side Of the medal will be an engraved
| map showing the route from Boston to
Washington, the stops made by the avia-
Atwood was introduced to the Presi-
dent today by a friend. who suggested
that the chief executive join the avia-
tor in some of the JOY rides he will
take about the city the last of the
week. The President, looking at the
trim, slim form of the aviator, re-
| marked that Atwood would have to
put some ballast on his side of the air.
ship, whereupon Atwood said that he
| would seat the President in the center
of equilibrium on his machine.
Atwood told the President that he
proposes to fly from New York to
Chicago SO soon as he can get every
| thing arranged for the journey. Just
when this Will be he does not know.
Will Aviate Around Washington.
II will take few Joy rides around
from Marblehead, Mass" said the avn
ator Il expect it here Thursday. II
1 had known that College Park was so
far from Washington 1 would not have
stopped there the other day and would
have come right on in. thought the
place was considered part of Wash
ington. 1 could have come in without
trouble. The machine we came from
Atlantic City in belonged to Mr.. Ham
ilton. My machine was broken at At
lantic City in my efforts to avoid strik-
ing lady The other machine I have
sent for is the one l made number of
records in In the New England states.
1t is coming on a special train
Atwood is said to be sure that his own
ington some thrills. He has not mapped
out his exact itinerary in Washington
atmosphere, but will be guided by the
winds and circumstances.
Aero Club Hustles.
There was much hustling by mem
bers OF the Areo Club yesterday after
1t was decided to present the medal.
The presentation by the President Is,
Of course, a part Of the honor that will
be as much priced by Atwood as will be
the medal itself. The President is a
busy man, but when the idea was sug-
gested to him he agreed to 1t. 1t will
be the first time medal has been pre-
scented by the Areo Club here since that
in honor OF the Wright brothers. That
was presented by the President at the
White House.
DR.. A. F. Zahm, secretary Of the club,
said today that the medal may not be
ready by Friday. but the case will be
on hand SO that the presentation cere- |
mony need not be delayed.
J The Chamber Of Commerce luncheon |
will be given at noon, so that Atwood |
will have time to go to College Park and |
return in his biplane at 2:30 pm. to keep |
his engagement with the President and |
members Of the Aero Club.
While the young aviator Is In Washing |
ton it is likely that he will decide on |
what will be his next attempt to break |
aviation records. Until the new Burgess |
Wright aeroplane arrives he will have no |
chance to do any flying. but plenty Of |
time in which to plan future aerial ex-
ploits. 1t Is known that he is considering |
q New York-toC Chicago flight. but he |
would make no statements today indicat- |
ing whether he intends to undertake this |
trip any time soon.-
Blames Himself for Accident.
Atwood this morning had a late break |
fast with Charles K. Hamilton. in whose |
biplane he flew to College Park from At |
lantic City. In talking to a Star reporter |
he took all the blame for the accident |
which smashed the Burgess Wright ma
chine at College Park yesterday.
THAT was poor work on my part" he
said. "A gust of wind caught me and
mistook 1t for increased engine power.
Had l not made this mistake l might
have averted the accident"
Atwood cannot understand why his de
duce any criticism of himself.
81 have smashed three machines and
spent 5000 besides, in trying to reach
Washington" he said. "All this is my
loss for, as every one knows, I do not
receive one penny for coming here.
Charles K. Hamilton probably will
leave Washington late today for Atlantic
flights. His machine will be shipped to
ha