The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1912-11-09

and the adaptation of the flying machine to the
needs or the army and the navy in time of war.
These officer students have gone into the work
with that spirit of professional devotion which is
OF the utmost value to the promotion of helpful
knowledge, and they have generally avoided
those hair-raising performances which are val
liable only as an asset for the Snowman.
These calmminded devotees--the term en-
thuslasts might be msleading-have earnestly
striven to make the most out Of the instruments
placed in their hands, but in doing this they
nave made more than one fatal stumble despite
their caution. The use of the aeroplane in re-
cent military maneuvers has exacted it's doleful
price, and it is time that due thought was given
some of these many accidents. Strange as it
may seem. the recent mishaps which have been
most suggestively illuminating have been those
that were generally not fatal in their conse-
quences, although some have exacted the lives
OF the participants.
On March 10 at Johannisthal just outside of
Berlin, flying machine driven by Schade and
aeroplane handled by Rettinger came to-
Sether while IN the air short distance above
the ground. The machines were instantly smash
ed and sent crashing to the earth. Neither OF
the aviators was injured, but a passenger was
hurt. Unquestionably, this collision was brought
about by the mutual effect of the disturbed air
between the two machines. The next mishap of
kindred character occurred at Douai. France,
an June 10 but with disastrous results. Captain
Dubois and Lieutenant Meignan both of the
army, were operating aeroplanes during a dense
fog. and drove into each other while going at
high speed Lieutenant Meignan was killed al.
most instantly, and Captain Dubois died in the
hospital few hours later The machines were
splintered by the collision Here we have
counterpart of conditions which have 50 often
caused trouble upon the water, but conditions
which may be even more frequent aloft under
atmospheric circumstances of common occur.
renee. OF course, the gravity of collision In
the air is unfortunately increased by the neces-
sartly high speed at which the flying machine
must advance in order to sustain itself in flight.
On June 20, at Aix-les-Baines. Mile. Helene
Dutrieu, while aloft, fell upon two ascending
monopaues, and all three machines dropped to
the ground in . heap. The two neither aviators
were pretty seriously bruised, but Mile Dutrieu
was uninJured, fortunately falling upon the un-
DERIVING machines and thus having the force OF
her drop greatly lessened. Undoubtedly, Mile.
Dutrieu hit hole in the air." and her mono
plane started earthward before she could check
or control its descent by gliding volplane The
question is, What caused that hole In the air?
Did the movement Of the two ascending aero
planes create the disturbance which narrowly
escaped causing serious catastrophe? This has
been answered by subsequent accidents
Two French army officers Iieutenants Briez
and Burlez. July started for Befort on the
eastern frontier, leaving the aeronautic station
at Villa Coubiay, just outside of Paris. Lieuten-
ant BrdAz bad the start OF his associate and was