The Washington herald., 1911-07-22

wheels It gathered speed. 1t rushed down
the Speedway, pilotless and needless. Mr.,
Colburn made after 1t as fast as knee
deep mud puddles and rivuiets Of rush.
ing water would permit, with Policeman
Wheelock, who did not know Mr.. Col
burn, and took him for a thief or some
thing of that kind, at his heels Before
they could reach the automobile, 1t had
plunged headforemost to destruction into
the basin, where 1t lies submerged, the
waves murmuring its requiem.
Both Were Drenched.
Mr.. Colburn and Mr.. Mcdonald de-
cided they had enough excitement for
one evening" and, drenched. they
walked back to the Raleigh. They
discovered that the wind In their abb
sence. had blown OF a section Of a
temporary roof on the new part OF the
building. the rain deluging the upper
floor. Workmen were at once sent to
repair the damage.
Accompanied by Mr.. Stevens. his as
sistant, Mr.. Atwood went to New York
on a business trip. He said he would
return this morning and probably
would make a flight between and I
o'clock this evening. It is most un-
likely that, in view OF the accident to
the machine, the flight will be made.
unless a new machine is procured.
To try out his machine preparatory to
his contemplated flight this evening, At
wood shortly before noon yesterday
mounted his biplane from polo field in
Potomac Park. and took fifteen minutes
trip. The machine worked smoothly, and
he stayed aloft long enough to circle sew
eral times over the field and the adjoin-
ing territory, besides following the course
Of the Potomac River in the direction Of
Georgetown. He did not reach a higher
altitude than 1000 feet, but the machine,
to all appearances, was under perfect con-
troll and was in good condition for a
duration test.
In q letter addressed to The Washing
ton Herald, Mr.. Atwood expresses his
appreciation for the effort made to raise
q fund for him and offers to give in re-
turn public exhibition flights.
Writes to The Herald.
Mr.. Atwoods letter follows:
THE Washington Herald. Washington,
d. C.
Gentlemen: I note IN. to-days paper
that a fund has been raised to reimburse
me for my expenses incurred IN making
my flight from Boston to Washington.
beg to state, through the columns Of
your paper. that appreciate greatly the
kindness Of the private individuals who
are raising this fund for me. but that I
do not feel Justified in accepting 1t unless
7 40 In 10
individuals. The fact that there was a
misunderstanding between the Chamber
Of Commerce and myself is my own mis-
fortune. and I am ready to accept their
decision, but I do not feel right IN plac-
ing the expenses Of my trip upon others
who have so kindly offered their assist
ance, and who had no voice in the mat
ter OF my coming to Washington.
while I have received no authentic
report that a fund has actually been re-
ceived, I beg to state that, should there
be such a fund, I should be glad to give
a public exhibition to the organizers and
to the public on Saturday afternoon. July
%, weather permitting. The time Of my
flight will be between $50 and 7:aO.
Thanking you for the courtesies which
have been extended to me through your
columns during my stay in Washington,
I am, respectfully yours,
HARRY n. ATWOOD
Lightning struck the flag pole on the
United States Savings Bank Building. at
Fourteenth and U streets. The pole was
spiintered.
The wind storm wrecked or damaged
numerous trees in the Mall. Several
were blown down and others were
stripped OF branches.