Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-14
ENDS AERO TRIP
At WHITE HOUSE
President Taft Sees Atwood
Descend Safely on Lawn
OF Executive Mansion.
FLIGHT MADE IN FACE
OF 25-MILE BREEZE
Aviator Is Then Given Clubs Medal
by Executive of Nation
COMMERCE CHAMBERS GUEST
Bostonian Is Given Luncheon Aftsr
Journey From College Park,
in Which Record Time
1s Made.

With a twenty-fve-m 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 of the motor OF
his biplane while over the tree tops of
the White House lawn. and gliding to .
safe stop within q few feet Of the rear
of the residence Of the President of the
United States.
daring will have lasting place in the
history of aerial navigation. was the more
unusual in that the young aviator knew
the velocity of the wind beforehand, and
he expected to encounter. He could not
have met them more successfully.
President Taft. who. after the landing,
presented Atwood with a medal on be-
half Of the Aero Club of Washington, and
the mother Of the aviator, who arrived
in Washington ttis morning. were the
most interested Of the thousands OF
and its conclusion.
The flight to the White House was
made from the polo field. where Atwood
landed at noon In a recordbreaking trip
from College Park. The machine re-
mained on the field until 1t was taken up
in the air to continue on its journey to
the White House.
At a late hour this afternoon weather
| conditions were such that Atwood had
been unable to mount through the trees
| from the White House grounds. and 1t
| is probable that the machine will have to
! be taken apart and moved to an open
place before the return trip to College
Park can be undertaken.
Arrives Ahead Of Time.
While members Of the Chamber Of Com
merce were waiting at the chamber rooms
at noon today. where luncheon was
given the aviator. Atwood surprised
everybody by flying into the city two
hours ahead Of scheduled time.
Leaving College Park at nine minutes
i Of II o'clock, the young Bostonian landed
exactly at noon on the polo field. He fol-
lowed the river course, which made a dis
tance OF approximately twelve miles. COW
cred in nine minutes. This easily estab-
fishes the record for the quickest flight
from College Park to the capital.
What made the flight still more remark
able was the fact that Atwood left the
army aviation field in q pouring RAIN
He was thoroughly drenched when he
reached the polo field. which necessitated
his going directly to the New Willard to
secure change of clothing.
Atwood reached the chamber rooms at
tyU-nn fVy CT
| twenty-nine minutes after he had left
College Park. which included the time
| lost when he stopped at the hotel. He
was presented to Capt Oyster. presi-
dent Of the chamber, after which a line
! was formed and the members of the
organization were individually presented
to the aviator.
Following a buffet luncheon, Atwood
remained at the chamber until after j
o o'clock, afterward returning to the New
Willard, where he made preparations for
his fight to the White House, and as
sured his mother that the venture would
be success.
Received at White House.
Officials of the Aero Club Of Washing
ton were present at the chamber recep-
ton, and this afternoon were received
in the east room of the White House
by President Taft, prior to Atwood's ar
rival
Lieuts. Milling, Kirkland and Arnold Of
the United States signal corps, who have
been operating a Burgess Wright ma
chine. similar to Atwood's, with marked
success at College Park, attended the
chamber luncheon. Capt. Charles De
Forrest Chandler Of the signal corps was
also present.
After trying out his engine on the polo
field this afternoon and assuring himself
that nothing was wrong Win the meclla-
nism Of the craft, Atwood took his sea-
with an expression Of confidence and
waved good-by to the crowd which had
gathered to see him on.
The machine took the air apparently
as much under the control Of its master
as it has been all along since he COM
menced his flight In 1t to Washington
from Atlantic City.
Atwood Immediately scared to an ele-
vation of more than 500 feet in order TO
get his bearings and pick out landing
place 1t was evident that he was feeling
his way with caution against the strong
adverse wind.
In coming into the city at noon the
aviator made no attempt to repeat any
of the thrilling stunts which marked his
flight over the city last night. He ad-
tanning an average elevation OF about
LOCO feet.
Many View the Flight.
The announcement that the aviator had
reached the city at noon left little doubt
that he would attempt the White House
flight and, as a result. practically all OF
washington was out to see the attempt.
Atwood was met at the polo field to-
day by DR.. William Hudson: Ralph Pratt.
Clay Thompson and Miss Minnie Schaefer
and Miss Emma Schaefer. He was taken
to the Willard in Mr.. Thompson's auto
mobile. Later. Atwood was taken to the
Chamber of Commerce by Dr.. Alfred
Zahm.
white House this afternoon Will be ex-
.S,,, difBcuJt IN carry out" aaid At