Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-24
Gather at Army and Navy Club
to Witness Presentation of
Clarence Mackay Cup.
| GIVEN BY AERO CLUB
TO WAR Department
Trophy Is Then Awarded Lieut.. H.
A. Arnold, U. S. A., Winner of
First Contest.

Aeronautcal experts of the army and
navy and civil life gathered at the Army
and Navy Club last night to witness the
presentation of the Clarence Mackay avn
alton cup by the Aero Club of America to
the War Department and then engaged in
discussion of aviation which revealed
their hopes and plans for the future of
flying.
Lieut.. H. A. Arnold, L. s. A, the win
ner of the Mackay cup, was present. and
was given the trophy by Mr.. Breckin-
ridge. assistant secretary of war, after
it had been turned over to the War De-
partment by Allan II. Hawley. president
of the Aero Club of America. Lieut. Ar
mold will retain the cup for one year,
until 1t is competed for again.
Gen. James Allen, formerly chief of the
Signal Corps of the army, presided at the
gathering, and explained the circum-
stances under which the cup was placed
In competition. He declared that Mr..
Mackay had given the cup to promote
aviation in the army. and that it was
greatly appreciated by the War Depart
ment. He explained how it will be COM
peted for each year. and showed twenty
shields around the base, for the names
of the winners.
Hope for Larger Competition.
I'm the first competition this year
there were only two contestants" said
Gen. Allen. I'VE hope confidently that
before long there will be 1900 army avi-
ators competing for it,
Mr.. Hawley, in turning the cup over
to the War Department. spoke of the
need for fostering aviation, and mention
ed the fact that the United States is now
behind other nations in its support. The
army and the navy must develop the art
he declared.
I'VE look to YOU" he continued, "to
develop aviation SO that the country
may regain the leading position in that
science that she has lost through the
lack Of the fostering care of the gov
eminent.
Mr.. Breckenridge. assistant secretary
of war, spoke of the well-recognized dam
gers of aviation at present and praised
Lieut.. Arnold and men like him who be-
come army and navy aviators for their
country, regardless of danger He re-
cited the history of heavier-than-air ma
chimes from the time of Leonardo di
Vinci down to the present, recalling the
deeds of Prof. Langley, the Wright
brothers and others.
Description Of Trophy.
The cup presented last night is a large
silver trophy, nearly three feet in height.
The four handles represent four female
figures, each holding a miniature silver
model of a biplane. Lieut.. Arnold S
name is the first to be engraved on the
cup.
Following the formal exercises last
night. Gen. Allen opened general In
formal discussion on aeronautios. In
which Dr. Charles D. Walcott secretary
Of the Smithsonian Institution; Capt. w.
/. Chambers. Gen. George r. Scr1ven,
,-f of $Ia of ha
and Gen. William CrOzier Of the Army
War College took part.
DR.. Walcott told in detail of the ef-
forts to coordinate the efforts of all in
and of the formation of the advisory
committee Of the Langley aerodynamical
laboratory. His address was compre-
hensive review of the status Of aeronau-
tics in the United States at present. He
said that the aid of all interested men is
needed to get the proper support from
Congress.
DR.. Walcott's Statement Applauded.
DR.. Walcott was warmly applauded
when he declared that he had been as
sured that the Langley heavier-than- air
machine would fly today If launched from
the ground. The trouble was with the
launching apparatus and not with the
machine itself. he said.
He also told of the contemplated CO.
operation Of various agencies of the gov
eminent for the development Of aero
nautics. and of President Wilson's APP
prevail Of the plan. He spoke particu-
larly of the work that the bureau of
standards and the weather bureau
can do.
Gen. Scriven advocated the appropria-
ton by Congress of substantial sum for
the establishment of an aviation school
at San Antonio, Tex He also spoke of
the decrease of the number of men who
take up aviation for sport.