New-York tribune., 1919-07-03
Seaplane Commanders
Call on Police Heads
Assurance Is Ciuen That Es.
hibition on Field Days WW
Include All the "Ssunts"

A remarkable outburst Of welcome,
lasting fully two minutes, greeted Com
mander John H. Towers, Lieutenant
Commander A. C. Read and Lieutenant
Commander P. N. L.. Bellinger, the
navy's transatlantic f1iers, when they
visited Police Headquarters yesterday.
The three NC seaplane commanders
were received in thu gymnasium, and
were welcomed by the Police Commits
sioner and his cabinet
The visit of the airmen was to as
sure the police of their cooperation to
make success of the Police Field Day
events on the afternoons of July 10
and 26 at Sheepshcad Bay.
The three commanders went to Po-
lice Headquarters in response to a
wireless message sent to them while
they were several hundred miles at
sea by Frederick A. Wallis, Fourth pep
uty Police Commissioner. Mr.. Wallis
introduce each of the commanders to
all present
Colonel Archie Miller, chief of avi-
alton activities on Long Island, was
also present. lie told the gathering
the Washington authorities had given
him permission to stage the create st
aeronautical spectacle ever presented
at the police games He said that
upward Of fifty airplanes would take
part in the display, which would last
three and a half hours
He said every air man9uvre taught
to the United States aviator in peace
and war will be shown. He said he was
glad the Navy Department was going
to allow the three NC commanders to
attend the games. When he learned
that Commanders Read and Towers ex-
pected to come all the way from Lake
Co10 y L. Il J
be glad to send airplanes to bring them
into Sheepshead Bay for the games.
Hawkcr Comment Explained
Commander Read made generous
reference to Harry G. Hawker, the
Australian aviator who failed to beat
him in the transatlantic flight.
"Hawker met me at the station in
London" he said, ''and was very kind
in taking care of me. He had been
criticized by a number Of papers for
the remarks he made concerning our
flight. These remarks were very we'll
explained to me as due to the fact that
he was endeavoring to defend the
British Admiralty for not sending out
boats for his flight"
Commander John H. Towers, "ad-
miral" of the NC seaplanes, paid high
tribute to the members of the NC
the flight. "The reason the flight was
a success" he said, "was because it
was departmental job, and not up to
any one man particularly.
"Just before we left had many re
quests from people anxious to make
the trip. Many told me they would
gladly give an arm to do so. There
is present tonight member Of the
NC crews who did give an arm in the
line of duty on the eve Of the flight. He
is Chief Special Mechanic f. II.
Howard"
Howard Given an Ovation
At that moment Howard became the
centre of as big a demonstration as
ever was witnessed in this city. Women
crowding the balconies jumped to their
feet and cheered, while the diners in
the vast ball room stood onto their
chairs, waved and cheered for fully five
minutes.
Job Hedges, as toastmaster, declared
it was the greatest moment of his life
to be toastmaster to New York's first
dry dinner, and the most historic event
of the year.
Lieutenant Commander Bellingcr
who was in charge of the NC-l. paid
fine tribute to all three crews.
Brigadier L. E. o. Charleton, British
Air Attache in Washington, congrat-
ulated the NC fliers on behalf OF his
countrymen. Captain Craven, head or
naval aviation, and Major General
Charles 7. Menoher, director of United
States Air Service, were the other
speakers. The latter presented the
three commanders with engraved gold
cigarette cases on behalf Of the Amer
lean Flying Club.