Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-02-14
Frederic Haskin's Letter
SUGGESTIONS OF THE AIR.

neaQS ana tnen plunged GOWN 10 tue
ground. The engine of the machine
was thrown clear out and landed
on the ground. The magnetic came
up through the cockpit and struck
me on the knee, while the wind
shield cut my face, but that was all
that happened. st. Anthony sure
took care Of me-"
Almost every aviator setting out
on long trip takes his pet mas
cot, sometimes three or four pet
mascots, with him. Both cats and
dogs experienced the terrors and
the triumphs of the transatlantic
flight, while a large variety OF ami
mails should now be wearing dis
tinguished service crosses for the
brave manner in which they stood
aerial bonbardments during the
war. Every aerial squadron in
France had its special pet mascots,
some Of which flew constantly with
their masters, and some individual
ayiators who took veritable menag-
cries to the front with them.
Among the latter was Vernon
Castle, who had, in addition to a
large supply of cats, dogs and birds,
a pet monkey that accompanied
him on most of his flights. jeff, as
the monkey was called, seemed to
like flying, and was able to stand
very high attitudes.
1t has often been stated with
great authority that dogs cannot
be safely carried above an alti-
tude of 5000 feet. and that cats
will die if carried above 5000 feet
This may be true regarding some
dogs and CATS since it is now we'll
known that animals vary quite as
much as human beings In their abil-
ity to Withstand high attitudes and
the corresponding loss Of oxygen
but the statement certainly does NO,
hold good concerning all dogs and
cats.
Henry Woodhouse, the we'll.
known author of several books or
flying, tells the story of remark.
able dog named Jim, belonging te
Maurice Hewlett, Jr., son of the
English novelist, who not only en-
joyed flying in high attitudes, but
| who appeared to be gifted with rea
lair sense" That is, he seemed tt
possess an intuitive feeling concern
ing atmospheric conditions, while
he also exhibited, an uncanny
knowledge of the aeroplane itself
IF anything were wrong with thu
mechanism" says Mr.. Woodhouse
Jim seemed to know it and would
jump about and bark until the
necessary repairs were made
Hewlett took the dog with him al
most constantly, even on severa
trips across the British channel
On the few occasions that he lef
him behind, Jim lay forlornl.
where the machine had started, re
fusing to move for anybody unit
his master returned.
One of the first aviators to TAX
a pet with him as mascot wa
John B. Moissant, who carried {;
kitten when he made the first ali
crossing Of the English channel
Just as he was about to start OF
what was then considered an ex
tremefy difficult fight, small has
ket, containing an even smaller kit
ten was presented to him by !;
young lady. The kitten protested
piteously against flying at first, bu
eventually settled down and took i
Icalmly, even though it did not ap
pear to be enjoying it.
After this, it became the custom
for aviators to take their pet ami
mails with them as mascots, so tina
today there is scarcely an ANNA
with the possible exception of thu
giraffe and the elephant, that ha
not been given an air trial. Some
such as the lion and the bear, ap
pear to possess an uncontrollabl
antipathy to flying and have beel
reluctantly relinquished as luck,
traveling companions by their air
men owners, but others, such as tn
fox, the turtle, the raven, the ante
lope and the jay seem to take kind
ly to the clouds and. do their hes
to make the trip a cheerful if no
a lucky one.
| One war aviator succeeded il
| strapping goat to his aerial char
lot and flew over the enemy line
with it, but when he returned t
the airdome and lifted the aniIIa
out, it whirled dizzily around a
if it knew naught of prohibition s.
that the aviator was forced to de
eide that flying was one thing tina
a goat could not get away with
While animal mascots are nov
recognized as almost essential 4
the sport of flying. and few aviator
| so aloft without them, it is reall
the luck token which is held I
WELD the stronest influence ove
the course Of the machine. Thus
one famous aviator, who AWAY
carries two dogs and a family cloc
with him, and wears his fiancee'
} stocking wrapped around his ca
J as luck token, attributes to thes
interesting accessories the fac. tina
he has never had serious accident