davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
Front and Rear End the Mercedes Aircraft Engine
FIR AsriaA
From Aerial Age

driven grease gun or pump, worked by a
cable and lever from the pilots seat. An
electrical tachometer is driven at engine
speed from the rear erd of the camshaft
through flexible shaft.
At the opposite end Of the engine TO the
half compression actuatng gear small di-
rect driven plunger pump is fitted for provid-
ing air pressure to the fuel tank, while just
beneath and attached to one of the pipes, a
trap is fixed to prevent oil, which returns to
the stump via the oil pump casing, getting
into the air pressure supply. spindle be-
meath and on the same centre line as the
vertical camshaft driving spindle drives the
water pump, which is arranged with plain
dog coupling, so that it may be easily with
drawn, should this become necessary for any
purpose.
A feature in the construction Of thes, en-
gines is the general use Of soft mild steel
for such parts as the fabrication pipes, etc.
This feature may lead to the fallacious con-
clusion that the enemy has adopted mild
steel owing TO shortage of copper, whereas
this practice has been standard with the Mer-
cedes company for many years-certsinly
since long before the war.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
A Summing Up of the
n Whole Situation

"The New York World" thus sums up
the situation:
"The bank which suffers by his delinquen-
cies Is old, rich and highly conservative. Mr..
Martindae entered its service when youth
and as he rose to its highest office estab-
lished a reputation for probity and ability
which until he came 70 his death bed never
was questioned. In the enjoyment of good
income, his manner of life was in keeping
with his station; he was not regarded as a
money-getter and, so far as is known, he
had no associations, habits or complications
making secret demands upon his resources.
yet it is now known that for sixteen
years he had systematically practised en-
bezzlement and forgery, and that he came
under suspicion only when during his last
illness it was no longer possible for him
tn conceal his crimes. Taking into consider
alton the time covered by his populations
and the fact that in spite of his vast oppor-
tunities his thefts did not exceed 100000,
there must be increasing wonder as to the
frame of mind and the habits of life that
persuaded him 10 adopt such courses.
There have been officers of great banks
who by ambition for wealth, by speculative
commitments, by overextension in business
sptarnriaes and nv eyil rom ma n ion shin hlya
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
A 5O-Passenger Italian
AirpLane

So much has been written of French, Eng
lish and German progress in the air that the
work of Italy In aeronautics has been over
Swallowed. believes Aviation Reports now
reaching this country indicate that italy mas
produced the fastest aeroplane, the pest
climber, the largest machine and fleet OF
diripibles which have performed marvellous
work along the seacoast. As submarine
chasers the non-rigid dirigible type has been
very effective. Italy is placing the greatest
reliance on her dirigibles, and it will be well
for the United States to profit by her ex-
perience The secret of ltaly's success IN
aviation is due to the powerful and reliable
engines which have been developed. 1t Is
asserted that the large Italian engines OF
100000 horsepower have proved that larger
seroplanes than have been thought possible
from an engineering standpoint can be bullt
and flown successfully. To demonstrate this
point there is under construction an aero
plane using 5000 horsepower and designed
to carry fifty assengers.-Scientihc Amerl-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23

ter passage Is cast in the base for this pur-
pose. A simple type Of two-jet carburetor Is
employed.
The main bearing caps are cast integral
with the bottom half of the crank case, and
the long bolts that secure them pass through
the top half of the crank case, and are USED
for securing the cylinders by means Of tri-
Singular clamps.
Forced fabrication is, of course, employed,
the bearings and journals being supplied
through the drilled crankshaft and suitable
oilways. A four-throw eccentric-drlven
plunger pump of similar but improved design
TO that used on the 160-horsepower Mercedes
type is fitted. An auxiliary" sump in the
front end of the crank case is embodied, and
small supplementary pump plungers, which
work in conjunction with the main oil pump,
feed fresh oil into the system from the ser
vice oil tank.
Two Bosch z. II. 6 magnetos are fitted, ana
these are driven OFF the vertical camshaft
driving spindle. The spark plugs are ntted,
of course, on the induction side Of the cylin-
ders.
The water pump driving spindle Is luori-
Gated while in fight by means OF ratchet
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
+ Is Impossible to Apply
l The Old Morals"

"The New York Evening Post" frankly
admits that It sees no lesson to be drawn
from the circumstances and is in guam
cary as to the causes:
an view Of these circumstances (praeti.
cally as outlined above), ali the conventional
moralizIng INDUCED in when trusted bank
official goes wrong Is impossible. The
blame cannot-at this hour at least-bs
placed upon the white Way the lure Of the
city, the temptation for social or business
reasons TO live beyond ones means. Nor
can one find fault with the bank-a verb
table Gibraltar among banks; this was no
case of an underpaid clerk letting some OF
the large sums he handled stick TO his fn-
gers
There seems TO be no single reason for
the slightest feeling of pity for the wrong"
doer, or even any possibility of understands
ing his acts. A bank president with salary
af $4,000 year and opportunities for max
ing much more is supposed 10 be beyond
the reach of temptation. He could not have
gambled in Wall Street, for this it Is i'm
possible to conceal very long, and thus we
are confronted with a situation DUNE
founding that even a writer OF lurid de-
tective stories would shrink from embodyine
il in a narrative Must II be dismissed
merely as another illustration of the frailty
Of human nature that will lead some down.
hill no matter how highly placed or safe.
guarded or how long they have walked in
the paths of rectitude? Is there no lesson
to be drawn from it,"
This paper goes on further 70 review
TIE effect that the occurrence might have
on the general banking situation, thus:
AS yet, apparently none. 1t must be
frankly admitted that no system Of inspec-
ton can altogether render wrongdoing in
banks impossible There is no evidence Of
any laxity of administration; for this We
have the governments word. In one sense
that is the pity of the situation, for, lacking
this explanation of how such a thing was
possible, high bank officials are placed by "a
in a most difficult position. Must they BE-
daily suspect? Must they submit themselves
70 the most careful supervision and audit
ing? Many, we presume, do, as a matter Of
course. But the blow 10 confidence in our
banking institutions is the more regrettabis
because it is not merited. If there are soma
very few bank officials whose departure for
other lines of activity would be for the pub
lie benefit, it must be said that the bulk are
credit 70 the city and 20 the profession,
industrious, hard-workng and wholeheart-
edly devoted TO city, state and nation"
And THE Richmond Times Democrats
thus apostrophizes:
"Why he stole at all, or why he did not
steal more, has puzzled his acquaintances.
he was man OF quiet tastes and did not
need this money, or, if he needed II, he was
so efficient that he only had to ask his d.
rectors for more salary. As president Of
this great bank he could have stolen FIVE
times the amount he did without detection.
Here life has furnished character, which
death has removed, leaving behind a mys-
terry for the speculation and study of fc.
ton"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23

more than a score Of engineers, who pooled
their skill and trade secrets in the war emer-
gency, working with the encouragement OF
the Aircraft Production Board. the War De-
partment and the Bureau Of Standards
1.-TWO of the best engineers in the country,
who had never before seen each other, were
brought together at Washington, and the
problem of producing an all-American engine
at the earliest possible moment was presented
70 them. Their first conference, on June 3,
lasted from afternoon until 2:30 o'clock in
the morning.
These two engineers were, fguratively
locked In a room in a Washington hotel ana
charged with the development Of an airpiane
motor for use by American aviators over tne
battlefeds Of Europe. For FIVE days neither
man left the suite Of rooms engaged Tor
them. Consulting engineers and craftsmen
from various sections of the country were
brought to Washington to assist them Inc
work in the drafting room proceeded con-
tnuously day and night. Each OF the two
engineers in immediate charge of motor de-
velopment alternately worked twenty-four-
hour shift.
Thirty days after the assembling Of the
first engine preliminary tests justified the
government in formally accepting the engine
as the best aircraft engine produced in any
country.
"The final tests confirmed our faith in the
new motor in every degree.
Both the flying and altitude tests OF the
new motor have been gratifying. One test
was conducted at Pixies Peak, where the
United States aviation engine performed sat
isfactorily at this high altitude. One OF the
engines in an airplane broke the American
altitude record In recent flying test"
But aside from producing the best en-
gine," speed in production was the objec-
tive. To accomplish this Standardization
was sought for so as to make available the
typically American machine methods,
such as our automobile manufacturers
have used in so marked degree and which
ere in contrast to the slower handmade
processes of Europe. Mr.. Baker adds:
while It is not deemed expedent to dis
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
prospective "ace" Is sent off to France,
there to receive the finishing touches be-
fore going to the front.
THE Great Diversity Of
/ Airplane Types

To the layman, an airplane is, well, just
an airplane. The fact is, however, that
there are almost as many types or classes
of flying machines as there are ships IN
the navy. When the war broke out air
plane development practically had crystal
lized, and in most essentials the machines
in use were the same as the one in which
the Wrights had made their early flights
over ten years ago.
Cleaning from other writers in "The
Worlds Work." It Is learned that there
are three main divisions of the military
air service, to wit: Pursuit or battleplanes,
bombing planes and reconnaissance ma
chimes. These latter In turn include OBJ
servation, spotting and scouting planes;
although bombers are also employed as
scouts.
The principal purpose Of the reconnols-
sance planes proper is to make observa-
tons and photographs of the enemy ter
rain also of positions and large bodies
cG troops, and in so doing they are said to
serve as the "eyes of the staff The spot
ting machines locate enemy positions, give
the range for the artillery, note where the
shells land and correct the fire when the
guns are in action The bombing planes
fly close to the ground, engaging enemy
infantry, and serve as reconnaissance ma
chimes for the units to which they are
attached, warning their own infantry OF
machine gun emplacements and hostile am
bush. That these operations may become
much more extensive is indicated in press
dispatch Just received and which states
that a squadron of English bombers en-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23

the passage Of the s64O, 100000 aviation
bill, and these are capable of turning out
fifty aviators each month-in all monthly
output of LOO fliers.
BY this means alone America should
have about 5000 trained men ready to take
to the air in April, 1918 But in view of
the increased resources created by the new
bill, this number doubtless will be consd-
erably augmented. And it is generally
conceded that American aviation efforts
will accomplish relatively greater results
than anything else America is doing to
make the world safe for democracy"
The largest aviation school in America
is at Dayton, Ohio, the home Of the
Wrights. Incidentally, Burton T. Hen
drick in the same journal says this is also
the largest flying academy in the world,
and by some is claimed to be the best. 1t
was built in six weeks from the time in
which the first pick was put into the
ground and its site embraces $500 acres,
or nearly four square miles. Installed in
lHlS HSlu are COIHplSle ciSCIiS hShN oiiu
telephone service, drains, water system and
other utilities of a small city. There are
nearly two miles of hangers, two acres
of machine shops, also barracks, officers
quarters, lecture rooms etc.
1t has been suggested that instead of
having twenty-one flying schools we should
maintain one hundred. These would be
capable of turning out 5000 aviators a
month, or quite enough to yield us that
margin of numbers which insures victory.
After passing the very rigid examination
for the Flying Corps, the successful candi-
dates spend eight weeks at ground
school, generally attached to some uni
versity. Here they are instructed in aero
nautics and allied sciences and then are
eligible for a flying field such as that at
Dayton. After eight weeks further in
tensive training in practical flying the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
THE Story of This Strange
l Bank Mystery

The modus operandi Is thus described IN
"The New York Tines:
Controller Williams charged that Mar
tindsle began his series Of forgeries sixteen
wears ago. The method followed by him was
TO withdraw money from the depOsitor's &C
count either through a forged check or by
debit slips signed by himself as an officer
of the bank. These checks were usually
drawn for amounts Of $4,000 or $4,000, and
in personally presenting the checks to the
paving teller Martindale used TO say that
the woman depositor had asked him 70 draw
out the money for donation to some hos
pital so that the name of the donor might
not become known.
"The monthly statement Of the account
was not mailed to her, but presented TO Mr..
Martindale, and in that way she never knew
her exact balance, and consequently 1t was
possible for Martindale to conceal his
thefts. Whenever he was asked By her as
TO the condition Of her account he would
show her the statement of the Chemical, and
at the same time exhibit a passbook from a
small trust company indicating entries Of
deposits. He would tell her that he had
transferred part of her money to the trust
company, while as a matter of fact ne had
never made any transfer, but had obtained
a blank passbook in which ne or one Of his
clerks made these entries.
"The Controller also stated that Martin
dale had forged the depostor's name to de-
mand notes to the extent of $4,000"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
THE Jitney of the Air" Travels
l 100 Miles an Hour

The battleplane, one is told further,
measures little more than thirteen feet
across the wings, less than an albatross.
1t generally carries only one man, and Is
armed with a machine gun which is said
to fire between the rapidly revolving pro-
peler blades by some mysterious method
of experimentation. This fighting craft,
called by Mr.. Middleton the "jitney of the
air" can fly at the rate Of 160 miles an
hour and lands, when in hurry, at 80 to
100 miles an hour. It's small wing spread
enables it to turn, dive, dodge and make
other evolutions at the utmost speed, and
it has attained an attitude Of 10000 feet
nearly five and half miles in the air.
This is the type Of plane used by most Of
our aviators in service abroad and In pilot
ing which they have won distinction and
kudoS. IL is on this type of machine that
America and the Allies must rely for con-
troll of the air.
The story of the Liberty Motor reads in
part like the imaginings of Jules Verne
or II. G. Wells, and would hardly be
accepted literally if it were not vouched
for by the Secretary Of War. Mr.. Baker
says:
81 regard the invention and rapid develop
ment of this engine as one of the really big
accomplishments of the United States since
its entry into the war. The engine was
brought about through the cooperation OF
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23

delicate constitution that his friends feared
that he might have lung trouble. He never
had entered much into sports, and, just as
the war broke out, was preparing for en-
trance examinations to the Polytechnic
School. During his training, along with
many others, he showed neither aptitude
ror skill. He was remembered as fair
scholar, one whose term of apprenticeship
was Of average length-about two months.
At that time he had great confidence in
himself, extraordinary audacity, and a
leen desire to end his training and get to
the front. He was not particularly adroit,
though not awkward.
Having become skilful pilot, Guynemer
ALWAYS tries to place himself in the follow
ing position: he approaches as near TO the
enemy plane as possible, never following IN
straight course, and without firing. In
the last part of this approach ne tries TO
keep below and behind his adversary.
When he comes almost up to him ne brings
his machine up suddenly, like a horse
standing on its hind legs, and opens fire.
AS he is an excellent shot he generally
disables his adversary at the first round,
and in case the enemy is not driven down
in the opening seconds he tries to break
the fight by some acrobatic man9uvre sucn
as looping the loop. Guynemer attributes
most of his success to this maneuvre. lie
agrees with his comrades that it is lmpos-
sible to send down enemy machines by en-
rloying the same tactics, and that the hrst
quality for a fighting pilot is to play the
acrobat-to approach the enemy by SUCH
sudden evolutions that he cannot see you
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23

gagged and routed 1000 German foot sol
d:ers on the Western front.
Naturally the battleplane is the most
picturesque figure. and the one which now
fills the public eye on account of its tragic
possibilities. In addition it is by superior
ity in this type that all other air service
is made effective, if not indeed, possible.
As described by Mr.. James Middleton
in "The Worlds Work.:
This fiery little creature in Itself renders
no service to the fighting armies; 1t brings
in no news. except occasionally; takes no
pictures. reports the location of no artillery
emplacements and drops no bombs. It's &C
Ivities merely make it possible for the larger
machines to perform this work. 1t speeds
I'D and down the lines, attacking enemy
planes Of all types. It's business is merely
constant and aggressive fighting. It's ener-
gies decide the all-important question Of
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
Personal Side of Flying
Comments by H. ]. Middleton in "Worlds Work"

DERHAPS the fighter who has made
L the greatest reputation is Guynemer,
the young Frenchman. He has brought
down to date forty-fve Germans, all
attested according to the strict French
rules. There are German tiiers who
claim larger bags than this, but the
German method of counting every enemy
put to flight as a dead man renders their
statistics valueess. Guynemer has had a
romantic career. In February of 1915 he
had never flown an airplane. He was only
twenty years old, tall, slim, with such a
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
The 260-Horsepower Mercedes
PRIOR TO THE or LIBERTY AOTOR THE MERCEDES
~ 1S COyNDERED THE SUCCESSFUL AIRPLANE ENGINE
From Aeriol Age

TIME engine forming the subject OF
the present notes is the latest type
Il o6O-horsepower Mercedes, and the
accompanying drawings and details nave
been collected from an investigation OF the
twin engines taken from captured three
scatter "Gotha" biplane of the pusher type
The engine is naturally Of considerable size,
and in connection with these larger types oi
enemy aircraft engine the 26O-horsepo"er
Mercedes is typical of German ideas at the
moment. 1t may be regarded as practlcaIly
rnagnifed edition Of the smaller ones ana
much of the detail design Is similar. Ote
Of the Mercedes engines was obtained niue
damaged, with the result that after certain
repairs had been carried out 1t was put
through bench test, when particulars as 10
b. h. D., consumption, etc, were TAKEN
In many respects and in general construc'
tion detail these engines resemble the loO-
Horsepower Mercedes, and follow the usual
German practice for aircraft engines or this
+vne Six scparate vertical cylinders, water
cooled with a massive six-throw crankshaft
running on plain bearings, are the outstand-
ing characteristics, the design throughout
aiming at strength and reliability, combined
with ease of manufacture, rather than ex-
tremely low weight per b. h. p. Although OF
course, of considerable size, the whole en-
CINE is OF very homogeneous and clean de-
sign throughout, as will be seen from the
accompanying illustrations. The complete
engine, including the propeller boss, meas
ures feet 517 inches over all, and from the
bottom of the stump to the top OF the over
head camshaft casing measures approximate
" feet 10 inches. The bore Of the cyln-
ders is 100 nm. and the stroke $50 nm. -Four
valves. e., two inlet and two exhaust
are arranged in the head of each cylinder
and these are operated by an overhead cam
shaft running in a separate housing sup
ported on brackets screwed into the cylinder
heads; the valves are interchangeable.
The half compression device is operated
bv sliding the camshaft in the usual manner
and the arrangement is similar TO that adopt
ed on the 16O-horsepower Mercedes; the
actuating gear is fitted to the rear end OF the
shaft casing.
The induction pipe takes its air supply
through the base chamber, to the rear END
of which it is attached, and 4-inch dame
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
The Martindale Case

TIME case of Joseph B. Martindale,
late president of the Chemical Ma
tional Bank, one of New York's
foremost banking institutions, who was
charged by the Controller Of Currency at
Washington with embezzlement and for
gerry to the extent of 100000, remains an
unsolved mystery--at least to the argus
eyed press. And it remains, likewise, one
of the most interesting ENLIGHTENMENT cases
on record.
AS stated in the papers, the alleged de-
falcatons extended over a period of six
teen years, or at the rate of about $4,000
a year, and In view Of the fact that the
deceased banker was said to be in receipt
of an income of $4,000 per annum, the
press is wondering why he did not take
more, or why he took any at all. No evil
dence has been disclosed in the reports
showing that Mr.. Martindale either specu-
lated or disspated, and it is observed that
d man of his prominence could do neithe.
without leaving a trail.
The method of the accused was quite
simple and did not involve dipping di-
rectly into the banks till. The money is
said to have been purloined from the ac-
count of wealthy woman depositor who
intrusted the banker personally with her
affairs.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23

modern warfare-the control OF the air. us
success or failure in making the heavens
exclusively the abiding place Of its own and
it's fellow craft is the most important element
in deciding the fate Of campaigns. The Brit
ish won glorious victory at Messines largely
because those man-hunters of the air made
it impossible for German planes to leave the
earth, and thus left the British observers
and the bombers on the larger machines an
unobstructed heaven in which to work.