The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-19
growing confidence that after all he
will escape with his life and be able

to tell his family about the expert
ence. He seldom, II ever, urges his
wife to follow his example, OF re-
peats the hazard.
Run over the list of men OF imagi-
nation who can thrill their readers
with the written word. and In the
list-we speak Of British and Amerl-
raj authors and journalists who have
"arrived"-thcre is not one who has
made an extended voyage In an aero
plane and produced a masterpiece Of
realism. Daring and Imagination
seldom 60 together. Our best writer's
have nerves" Until the aeroplane
Is made as safe as the automobile the
story Ia not likely to be written as II
should be. in English that will live.
Mr.. ALAN X. HAwiEy. the energetic
president Of the Aero club Of Amer
len. a gentleman thoroughly nj home
In the balloon basket and by no means
n novice In aviation. had an envinble
opportunity TO impart the thrills Of
air voyaging TO his fellow mortals
inter his dash from New York to
Washington the other day, but alas.
the Imagination and the skill in ex-
preston were lacking. lie has writ
ten about his experience in Finng.
His report leaves the reader cold.
Mr.. HAwLEY begins with references
n the "Reminiscences and combats
NJ %aeronauts on the western front In
Europe. observes that "close 10 400
aeroplnncs were brought down by both
sides In the past two months" states
that aircraft are rapidly growing
larger and faster" illustrations
given). and then ne plunges into
his recital, saying: with the
foregoing facts In mind. my flight
10 Washington had additional In
terest besides the flight itself"
A man who could climb into an
aeroplane calmly. with the fore
going facts In mind" is not endowed
with Imagination TO produce the ma
terpiece. Mr.. HAwLry was thinking
only Of the Governments failure TO
understand the need Of n grent fleet
Of flying machines for the army and
navy. He accepts the observation at.
tributed to the lamented KITCHENER
that IAN aviator Is worth an army
corps" But most Of us are interested
In 'the flight ITSELF" although we may
agree that the Government should
acquire several hundred aeroplanes
for the defence forces.
Mr.. HAwIEY climbed into the ma.
chine at the Sheepshead Bay Speed
way. ION the third circle" says he,
" had reached n height Of over
5000 feet and we were or In the d.
rection Of Perth Amboy. II was then
7:23 A. NJ" He proceeds:
From tina, time on Il was only an
instant from city 10 city. The sun had
cleared the mist and we could see clearly
the nature OF things below us and could
recognize the dineren, cite. ~ wa
passed them. Perth Amboy. Trenton.
Philadelphia. Baltimore-all came IN
swift succession. We had barely passed
a city and I would look for prominent
land marks and study the topography
Of the land. for future use. when an
other city would loom In sight-and we
would soon pass IL.
When We sighted the Washington
Monument. i've minutes after leaving
Baltimore, ] don't know whether I was
sorry or glad l was glad We had come
to within sight OF our goa, In such Ane
fashion, but | was sorry the end was
in sight
There Is no thrill here. not an extra
pulse beat. And yet This long cross
country dying was now To me-" The
noise Of the 800 horse. power motor
exhaust" Is noted also the roar Of
the propcllers." Mr.. HAwIEy regrets
not having put cotton In his ears, and
he Is glad that 1T Is now planned ia
muffle aeroplane motors. 1t will add
greatly to the pleasure ~ awaiting"
We should think so mark the new
verb. That vas all!