The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-05-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.

When one considers.the tremendous in
terest that attaches to aviation, and tbs
rate at which the sport, or science if yor
prefer, is spreading, it must be admitted
sources of interest at the great San Diego
| Exposition in 1915, where Curtiss. the
eminent inventor and aeroplanist, will be
in charge of all aviation events and ex
| hibits.
4 It scarcely seems possible that it
lis but sixteen years since Professor
Langley of the Smithsonian Institution
caused the first flight. the first flight in
the history of the world. by a heavier
than air machine. Langley Day" was
celebrated by the Washington Aero Club
on May 9th at the Chevy Chase Club. in
the suburbs of Washington, just sixteen
| years after Langley's machine had made
its frst flight at Whitewater, Va, about
thirty miles below Washington on the
Potomac. The recognized obstacle in
those days to aviation was the lack of a
light engine. Pref. Langley constructed
one which weighed seven pounds and
developed horsepower, and with the
aid Of this engine his plane few dis
lance of more than half mile, and
Alexander Graham Bell photographed
the machine in flight, Afterward, at the
| request of the War Department, Prof.
Langley made tEan.carrying machine,
but after two attempts to launch it he
gave mp the attempt because of lack OF
funds and public ridicule. Being very
sensitive, the scientist gave up public
demonstrations.
i In the Smithsonian Institution, Wash
Iington, there are number of interesting
exhibits in connection with the history
Iof aviation, including Prof. Langley's
machine, and the first aeroplane bought
by the United States Government, a
Wright biplane. The first Curtiss by
droplane will also probably be added as
we'll as many other articles interesting
ia the history of aviation. Col. d. c.
Collier, President of the San Diego Elk
position, and also President of the San
Diego Aviation Society, will arrange il
possible for the loan of this collection,
and for as complete an exhibit of aviation
apparatus as can be secured.
~
Ormsby McHarg. OF New York. one Of
the managers of Colonel Roosevelt's
campaign for the Republican Presidential
nomination, declares that the Roosevelt
forces will refuse to abide by the selec.
tion of United States Senator Elihu Root,
of New York, as temporary chairman OF
the national convention.
McHarg says that the Roosevelt man.
ayers will insist on the naming of a
chairman in accord with the Roosevelt
policies. The names Of Governor Her.
bert S. Hadley, of Missouri; Governor
Hiram w. johnson. of California, and
and United States Senator Moses E.
Clapp, of Minnesota, are mentioned by
McHarg as being acceptable in this con-
nection to the Roosevelt forces.
i In discussing the contests to be brought
before the National Committee McHarg
said there would be at least 400 OF 27o
contested seats as against 22o contest
ed seats at the 1908 national convention.
McHarg said he would have charge of
all Roosevelt contest to be taken before
the Republican National Committee this
year, as he did four years ago for Presi-
dent Taft.
~
Among Democrats in Congress the
feeling is general that Colonel Roosevelt
will by one means or another gain con-
troll of the Chicago Convention aud carry
off the nomination, despite all the Repub-
lican National Committee, backed by the
power of the Administration, may do in
despite endeavor to defeat him.
I: Ii is not believed that Colonel Roose.
welt will have enough to win on the first
ballot. 1t is expected an attempt 10
string compromise candidate will be
made at the outset. and for this dark
horse enough votes will be cast to pre-
vent an immediate nomination.
~
disqualified approval of the Bourne
parcel pos, bill has heen given by Post
master General Hitchcock in report on
the measure sent to the Senate Post Office
Committee.
The consolidation of the third and
fourth classes al mail matter would
greatly-faciitites the administration of
mail matter. the Postmaster General
said The delivery of parcels to the limit
. cf II pounds ON all Eural routes, aud
withint delivery limits Of free carrier
Offices, was likewise approved as
ecopouic and convenience to the public.
'In my Judgment" concluded the
Postmaster General, the proposed mea-
sure wall benefit all classes os the people,
except those carriers now engaged in the