The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-13
WONT CR0SSPOND
Lincoln Beachy Fears Tragedy
in Ocean Flight.
Tho Famous Aviator Says
~America" WIN Not Do.
MACHINE TOO HASTILY MADE
Lieut.. Porte Is Of xUnproved
Caliber," States Beachy.
Bird Man Gives Opinion Of
Long Atlantic Air Trip.

Bird Man Gives Opinion Of
Long Atlantic Air Trip.
New York, July 13.-Ldncoln Beach,
~, the famous aviator. sees nothing
but disaster in the proposed attempt
Of Lieutenant Porte and his aide to
cross the Atlantic In his specially con-
structed aeroplane, the America
In commenting on tho proposed
flight, Mr.. Beachey has the following
to say:
own sakes, az well ~ for the sake OF
aviation In general. I hope Lieutenant
Porte and his aide are successful In
crossing the Atlantic in the aeroplane
flight scheduled for the near future
but I don't believe they will be. can
see no termination to the announced
attempt but fasco or tragedy.
IT have hesitated. have refrained.
from making any statement regarding
the Porte venture. So insistent have
cannot longer dodge an opinion.
'And the opinion am now going TO
express IL my absolutely honest BELIEF
founded on my intimate knowledge
Of practical aviation. T1me-and q
very short time, too-will show wheth-
er I am right or wrong.
''If wrong. I will be glad OF 1t. II
right, I will have no computations.
I believe that q very serious mistake
will be made IL the flight Is even at
tempted-but have my doubts II the
actual attempt will be made.
''This is not q reflection on keuten-
ant Porte or anyone concerned In the
aides have been sincere in their ef-
forts and the information they have
given to the public. But believe that
the next week or two will prove to
them all that the transatlantic flight
is not at present feasible, that their
theories have failed in execution.
Not for . million Dollars.
II realize that in making this state
ment lay myself liable to the charge
Of egotism. But 80 dread this flight
or this attempt-that am bound to
speak my mind freely, IL speak at
all. I myself would not attempt this
flight for q million dollars-and have
spent five hundred hours in tho air
where Lieutenant Porte has spent one
hour.
my prediction Of failure IL sum-
marked in few words: The enormity
Of the proposition has been under
rated-the preparations have been en-
tirely Inadequate. This, briefly. IL the
story. o.
90 not O01lSvS tHaI OuS 4V1hlOI
can make the flight. I do not believe
that the present machine, the Amer
ica,' is capable Of making thu night.
am convinced that tha attampE II
made. will only result in giving ayia-
ton a terrible 'wallop' in this country.
while do not undervalue Lieuten-
ant Porte's ability as an aviator, am
convinced that no one man can per-
form this feat, particularly a man Of
Lieutenant Porte's improved caliber.
Even the assistant on the America
must be far and away above the aver
age as an aviator.
ut u one thing to drive q machine
for ten hours. fifteen hours. over q
stated COURSE over the land. It II an
entirely different thing to drive this
machine over water. over the bound
less ocean, for that length Of time.
I'm the first instance the aviator In
always in sight Of good old Mother
Earth. In the other. when a man Il
faced with the endless expanse of
water, out Of sight Of land, the loneli-
ness, the sense Of helplessness, will be
awful. The very enormity Of nature
will be overwhelming. And most Inn
portant of all IL tho necessity Of the
pilot possessing an intimate knowH
edge Of navigation. understand that
Lieut.. Porte IL hardly grounded in the
rudiments OF this exacting science,
which must be infauibHe once land Is
lost sight of.
1T believe that the mental tension
will be moro wearing than the phys
ical tax Of handling the wheel. 1 do
not believe any man In tho world can.
without training. stand the terrible
strain. Long and constant practice
alone can fit man for such a feat.
ITO be sure, Lieut.. Porte will have
| with him a capable mechanician. but
he should have another seasoned avn
ator. one who has stood the gaff. and
who should alternate with him in four
or f1ve-hour tricks at the wheels. He
should have an experienced over-water
aviator. like either Charlie Wilmer or
Frank Coffyn.
! Those on the America win quick
" become accustomed to the roar of
tho propeller, and absolute physical
WEAKNESS win induce-even force
sleep. Observing Lieut.: Porto az a
coming from Europe hast April. /
know him to be susceptible to the
wiles Of Morpheus, to be inclined to
drowsiness Frequently had difficulty
In arousing him from his deck chair
SAUNDERS to 90 in to luncheon.
| Regarding the machine. there has
not been enough preparation. I be-
lieve that speed has been sacrificed too
much to sustaining power. Tho ma
chine that successfully flies across the
Atlantic will. I believe, be one that
will travel like = blue streak. that
will not falter.
The America has been constructed
in q hurry. Building q great automo-
bile. bringing forth q splendid breed
OF dogs. even tho gentleman Of high
est civilization II q performance Of
progressive destruction" Tho nrsl
TYPES, weak and insufficient, must be
done away with.
when will the ocean be crossed
Perhaps In 1915 or 1e. Europeans
have not been az hasty as Americans
Noted foreign designers are ut work
ON q transatlantic aerophne. They
y hufl6 and dAmkrnv hrlal6 ana A>nAxn,E-