The Washington herald., 1918-03-18

Visits Flying Field.
More than fifty planes were al
ready in the air when Secretary
Bakers special train approached
the camp at an early hour this
morning. As soon as one of the
machines caught sight of the dis
tant train, it swoOped down and
gave the signal to all the other
planes which promptly drew up in
formation. escorting the train to the
special camp center.
There the band crashed out a
noisy welcome in which a number
of Russians working at the camp
Joined.
After a visit to headquarters the
Secretary and his party set off for
the flying field where the machines
were drawn up in long lines three
deep, the loud humming of the mo-
tors greeting Mr.. Baker. Fifteen
planes darted up simultaneously,
flying in close formation, and grad
ually the air became filled with
squad after squad until more than
100 machines were daTting about
overhead. some flying so close that
their wings almost touched one
another.
Then there came a buzzing that
was louder than that of the average
machine. 1t attracted Mr.. Bakers
attention and he turned just in time
to see a Philadelphia officer, in
charge of the training. dart upward
in a Moran one scatter. appearing
TO rise straight as a bird and pick
ing up TO a height of half a mile
where he looped the loop and flew
upside down while reversing his
course suddenly in midair, finally
dropping in a spinning nose dive.
Just as it appeared the flyer must
crash to earth he suddenly darted
up again. Secretary Baker con-
graduated him on the feat.
PershInE Admires Pilot.
Gen. PershinS. expressing his ad-
mfration of the pilots nerve, asked
him If it was necessary to take
such risks. The aviator replied that
it was part of the training. He said
the nose dive was especially useful
in escaping an enemy as it gave the
impression the machine had been
shot up.
Meanwhile a whole flock of planes
skinned about at a low altitude.
-
above each other and skimming the
barracks and hangers. 1t was one
Of the finest exhibitions OF flying
the visiting party had ever seen,
despite the fact that today we had
the first cloudy weather during the
entire trip. Now and then there
was a sprinkling rain.
The party then visited the Red
Cross barracks where the head
nurse, Miss Given Wilson, of New
York, drew up the nurses for in
spection. Secretary Baker and Gen.
Pershing chatted with them and
sampled the jam sandwiches the
nurses were making for the SOL
diers.
Baker Asks QuestIOaa
Mr.. Baker talked personally with
many of the aviatOrs. questioning
them about their work. He was espe-
cially impressed with their self-con-
ddence and ability to learn quickly.
The party had just left the field
when q sad accident occurred. the
motor Of q machine piloted by a
youth Of Memphis. suddenly started
to slide, the student tumbling to
earth Both legs were broken and he
sustained a fracture of the skull. al
though the doctors think he will live.
The machine was badly smashed.
None of Secretary Bakers party wit
messed the fan.
As the party prepared to board the
special train, copies OF the Plane
News. q local weekly published at the
camp were presented to the members.
They contained the full news OF Sec
retry Bakers visit.
That's what call quick journalist
work" said Mr.. Baker. compliment
ing the editor. After luncheon, which
was taken aboard the train. the party
spent the afternoon at another large
storage center. which has been entire
" eompleted for troop contingents
that are to arrive tomorrow.