Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-06-09

ton of the field will be performed by
him. Adjutant-G General John A. Had
lev will be present in the interest or
the State National Guard. His Excel
lency Governor Percival P. Baxter is
unfortunately unable to attend owing
to an engagement made some time
ago, Other Army officers from Bos-
ton and other parts of this State are
also expected.
A number Of commercial fliers have
signified their intention to fly to
Brunswick on that day. some of whom
will undoubtedly remain over for Sun
day. One of the most important
events scheduled is the arrival of a
Topsham boy, James Roy Hennessey.
who has promised to fly from San
Diego, Calf. Brunswick's 307th Com.
pany, Coast Artillery Corps, will be in
attendance.
Last Fall the Chamber of Com
merce took up the matter of prOvid-
ing field here in Brunswick at the
suggestion of John ]. Burchenal,
summer resident and owner Of the
Paradise Spring company of this
town, who was instrumental in secur-
ing the interest of the War Depart
ment through it's Air Service. On the
advice of Lieut.. r. c. Moffat, an
Army flier stationed at Boston, who
made the first landing in this town
from the air, the field to be dedicated
Saturday was selected as q most ex-
cellent one for the purpose. The
~, hon, Of
to lease this field which is situated on
the River road, about mile from the
Town building. To reach the field one
turns north from the Portland road
at Riverside Cemetery and crosses
Morrison's Hill, at the top of which
the old steel standpipe of the Bruins
wick and Topsham Water District is
located. After going over the hill a
pond is to be seen on the right and
the field is just beyond on the left
hand side of the highway, at the farm
owned and occupied by James X.
Estabrook.
At the annual town meeting held in
March last the citizens of Brunswick
voted to provide for the cost of leas-
ing the field.
Owing to the winter then being at
hand the matter of cutting out the
100 foot circle and filling the same
with white feldspar was deferred till
this spring This has now been done
and the field is consequently in readi-
ness. On the occasion of Lieut.. Moi
! fats third visit to Brunswick, about
! two weeks ago, l'hen he brought
Lieut.. Schlosberg for the purpose of
addressing the college students at
| Bowdoin the date for opening the
| field was fixed for Saturday, June
| 10th.
| Ma ior- General Clarence r. Ed
wards was thereupon communicated
with and invited to attend the open
| ing exercises and his reply is as fol-
| lows:
"The citizens Of Brunswick. Maine,
| have don" 4 fine thing, ami have had
/ 81 muct. vision in establishing the
| fist aviation landing field III Maine,
Il at there S nCthifg | woul like bet
| ter than to 50 ID them and pay hen:
! my tribute.
| Unfortunately, I have an engage
ment in the form of a conference with
| all the Officers Reserve Corps on
| June 10tl. that will absolutely pre-
vent it, | assume YOU know what |
! think about the future of aviation.
Really, I don't know of any limita-
| tions it has. Certainly, no defense
project has any value if we don't pre-
ppose the superiority Of the air
| in this country over anything an
enemy can bring here in the shape
of a ship, then we don't deserve to he
| nation.
"Then again. the greet possibilities
in commerce are 50 great that TOO
much attention cannot he paid u il.
| The fact is. the pioneer work in
| Brunswick has helped us much ir III
ducing Boston to have an aviation
field here.
Major Lyon and Licutenart Mof-
fat will represent me and perhaps
can send a native Manner General
Mark l.. Hcrsey, if YOU Would like
him"