Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-16
AVIATOR FAILS TO RETURN
Wires Mother He Probably Will
Reach Capital Today.
sKY-GAzMG GETTING GENERAL
Interest in Aerial "Joy Rides
Practice Flights by Officers at
College Park.

FOtomdc Park VIII be q place OF inter-
est to many Washingtonians today who
are anxious to get closer view Of the
first flying machine to carry q visitor to
the White House. The bipIane is rest
ing where Harry N. Atwood brought It
to a landing Friday afternoon, after his
call on the President, for the aviator did
not return from New York yesterday to
take it to its hangar out at College Park.
He sent a telegram to his mother. who
is at the New Willard. stating that he
had been delayed, but that he probably
would return to Washington today. Just
what his plans will be after he reaches
the capital not even Mrs. Atwood knows.
The chances are that he will want to
take his aeroplane out to College Park
without delay and, If weather conditions
are favorable. he doubtless will convey
1t by the air route.
The force guarding the machine at Po-
tomac Park was increased last night
A large crowd gathered near the biplane
late in the afternoon in. the hope that
Atwood would return in time to fly out
to the army aviation field.
Mrs. Atwood, IN the suite at the hotel.
was kept busy answering the queries Of
friends and others over the telephone as
to whether her son had returned and
would attempt fight. To all these she
made the reply that he was still in
New York and that she was not ac-
quainted with his plans. Mrs. Atwood
yesterday announced her intention to re-
main in Washington as long as her son
does. which probably will be several days
at the least.
Keep Sharp Lookout.
washingtonians have developed a gen.
eral case Of sky-gazing since Atwood
arrived. Hundreds OF pedestrians along
Pennsylvania avenue last evening kept a
sharp lookout for him. while numerous
housetops presented anything but de-
serted appearance. Residents of the cap
atal have come to expect almost any
thing Of Atwood when he is taking his
aerial 10y rides.'' and they would not
knowingly miss seeing him execute any
Of his "thrillers."
Aside from several practice flights by
the army aviators. there was nothing
doing at College Park yesterday after.
noon. It had been thought in the morn.
turn might be attempted. but after the
aviators had tried out the air and found
the conditions fairly favorable, the sur
came out and upset the atmosphere sc
that 1t was too treacherous, and the
flight was postponed.
In the afternoon there was high wind
until almost sundown. Lieut.. Milling and
Lieut.. Arnold went up and found the air
at LOO feet was at least thirty miles an
hour, but fairly steady. 1t was not
favorable for cross-country flight, how
ever, and orders were issued for the avi-
ators not to leave the field. Passenger
carrying flights were made by the two
aviators carrying Capt. Chandler and
Lieut. Kirkland, but the flights were kept
under 500 feet.
Triad's Successful Trips.
The naval aeroplane Triad. built at
Hammondsport, N. Y, to meet the spe-
cial designs Of the Navy Department, is
being operated with remarkable success
by Lieut.. Ellyson. Capt. Chambers. in
charge Of naval aeronautics, has received
telegram from Hammondsport stating
that Lieut.. Ellyson flew for three hours
yesterday in the Triad, starting from
land and alighting on the water. The
feat is much more difficult than q flight
in an ordinary aeroplane, as the Triad,
designed for use on land or water. is
supplied with wheels and heavy floats,
adding greatly to the weight of the ma
chine.
Lieut.. Ellyson has a pupil in the person
of Ensign John H. Towers, who is MAX
ing rapid progress in aeronautics. 1t is
the purpose to make an all-water fight
in this aeroplane from Annapolis to
Washington over the Chesapeake and
Potomac as soon as 1t is thoroughly tried
out, and this or another machine of the
same type will make practice flights be-
tween the battleships of the Atlantic
fleet during the fall gun practice off the