Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-05-17

mont expressing everything from
mere annoyance TO burning ndigna-
ton. Aside from the local bearing OF
the SPECIFIC incident. there are issues
involved which, as aviation becomes
more general, will present constantly
increasing demand for attention and
settled decision.
In commenting on the subject it is
proper to say that The Herald was
not, as some onlookers assumed, re-
sponsible in any way, directly or in
directly, for, the unfortunate incident
OF Friday evening. 1t happens hat
in pursuance Of an ordinary. business
arrangement with the owners and
operators OF the plane. matter adver-
Using The Herald was displayed on
the machine. But The Herald has
no interest in the property and no
control over its operation. This pa
per disapproves as heartily as anyone
can of the use made of the airpfane
on that occasion, and accounts for it,
not on the ground of malice or mis-
chievousness, but of lack Of appre-
citation by the person in charge d the
real effect of the performance.
What occurred then was typical of
what has occurred on many other, &C.
casions throughout the country, and
Of what will continue to occur until
proper steps are taken to regulate
aviation in such a manner that ALI
the rights of the public will be pro-
tected. Several thousand people who
had gathered for the purpose of en-
joying a program prepared for their
benefit had their attention diverted
by the intrusion of another element
which, however interesting and ad-
mirable in itself. was entirely foreign
to the purpose of the gathering. The
noise caused by the flying motor
drowned the sound OF the music and,
while it continued, made the proper
carrying OUT OF the program i'm
possible. And an element Of great
and utterly needless danger to a large
number OF people was introduced.
All of these things must be made
the subject of regulation, here and
elsewhere. People who assemble for
their own peaceful purposes have a
right to absolute freedom Of inter-
ruption from any source except the
uncomfortable forces Of nature. Good
taste and common justice prescribe
this, and steps should be taken to Sc
cure the public in this right.
When the element of danger to
others is suggested the usual reply of
the performer. in no matter what
field, is that he has his m3chine,
whatever it may be, under perfect
control, and that therefore there is
no danger. The operator of an air
plane at Minot some time ago thought
he had his machine under control.
but suddenly a situation arose which
was beyond him, and a well known
and respected former resident Of
Grand Forks met a sudden and vio-
lent death. No one can tell at what
moment a similar tragedy may occur
when an airplane flies over a dense
crowd. And. assuming the impossible,
that nothing can go wrong with the
machine, and that b operator can
not lose control, who can tell at what
moment the appearance Of danger
may drive the crowd into a PANIC,
with resultant crowdin9, crushing and
managing.
The airplane is becoming more and
more a popular instrument of sport
and a recognised utility. 1t is here
to stay, and its development and use
are to be encouraged. To make pro-
vision for it some changes in long rec
ognized principles may be necessary
for the flying machine cannot be re-
stricted to roadways a few rods wide,
as the land vehicle is. But in making
provision for the use Of the airplane,
the public must be protected asains,
its abuse. either by general or local
regulation or both.