Evening star., 1923-05-04
Beat Trains -Four Days.

to the grit and flying ability of the
two lieutenants.
Beat Trains -Four Days.
Maj. Arnold declared the record set
by Kelly and MacReady demonstrated
the feasibility of commercial air-lines
across the continent. Passengers. he
said. could be carried a distance in
one day which the fastest passenger
trains require five to cover.
The two aviators. as result of
their new record. are richer by $4,000
each. a telegram from Mai. Gen.
Mason Patrick. chief of the air serv-
ice. informed them that Col. Frank
lin r. kenney, a former air service
officer. had won a wager of $4,000 on
their flight. and offered it to the fly
ers with his compliments. The lieu
tenants replied:
Accept with pleasure II it is not a
dream. You know US lieutenants."
Both airmen were enthusiastic In
their praise OF the weather bureau
conditions might be encountered on
the trip.
I'VE are indebted to a marked de-
gree" said Kelly. ito the weather
bureau for the success Of our flight.
The help of the efficient meteorolo-
gists was s feature of our flight"
Kelly and MacReady were guests
of honor last night At dinner given
by the American Legion Rost OF San
Diego. Mai. Theodore MacAulay,
who was one of the first men to f1y
across the continent. though his
flight was not q nonstop one. pre-
sided as head Of the post Maj. Mac
Aulay now is retired.
Messaxe From Pershing.
Gen. Pershing received first word
OF the successful flight OF Lieuts
MacReady and Kelly from New York
to San Diego at his residence here,
and Immediately requested the Asso-
ciated Press to send the following
personal message 10 the two pilots:
I'VE have been following you with
great interest. The Army is proud
accept my official and personal greet
ings and congratulations.
tsigned) JOHN J. PERSHIEG."
President Harding was greatly i'm
pressed with the news of the fight
and Immediately sent the following
telegram of congratulation to the
officers: Accept my most cordial con-
gratu!ations on the success of your
record making nonstop coast-to-
coast flight. succCssfully completed
today. You have written a new chap
ter in the triumph of American avia-
ton.
Army air service headquarters tele-
graphed, under the signature of Maj
Gen. Patrick. chief of the Army air
service. the following message to the
two pilots:
Il extend to you most hearty con.
gratulations upon your successful
completion of world record nom stop
fight from New York to San Diego
This flight is viewed with pride by
all air service officers. and brings to
this country increased prestige in the
world Of aeronautics. 1t Is the fruit
of a determined and courageous ef-
fort of which you may both be justly
proud"
Previous Record.
In their unsuccessful attempt at a
continuous transcontinental flight
last fall the two lieutenants estab-
lished what at that time was world
record for distance by covering
without stop 2.516.1S miles from San
Diego. Calf, to point near In
dianapolis. where they were forced
down by q leaking radiator. They
also hold the worlds record for dura-
tion Of flight and service worlds
speed records.
Offers Them 5000.
Franklin r. Kenney Of New York
q wartime executive officer Of the
Army air service, telegraphed the