Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-26

SAN FRANCISCO, June 24.-By
the Associated Press. )-Lieutenant
Russell L. Vaughan wrote a new
and spectacular chapter in the his
tory of mans conquest Of the air
Monday when he spanned the North
American continent in less than a
day.
The hazardous and gruelling flight
was his third attempt.
He left Mitchell Field New York
at 2:59 IL a. m. eastern standard
time), halted briefly at five re-fueling
stations en- route across mountains
and plains, fought fatigue and con
stantly-recurring nausea for Il
hours AZ minutes 45 seconds, and ar
rived at Crissy Field, San Francisco
at 9.47:15 o'clock Pacific time) Mon
day night.
Worn and nervous from his long
and bitter struggle with the perlls
of the air. and the illness which had
gripped him, the courageous trail
blazer was engulfed in a cheering
Wildly-eXcited mass of humanity
which extended to him an almost I'M
paralleled ovation upon his arrival
Gee, but it's good to be here,
he said, as jubilant comrades of the
air service lifted him bodily from
the cockpit of his plane. Il am
tired, but happy"
The ostentatious reception was in
sharp contrast to the lonely, single
handed battle which the airman
Waged throughout the day in his
race with the sun.
Undaunted by Failures
Lieutenant Vaughan scared away
from Mitchell field in the waning
light of a half-moon, undaunted by
prospects of none toe favorable
weather, a claud-fleeced sky, and
, the knowledge of his two previous
failures.
From the start he encountered
rough weather, but surmounted all
difficulties as he drove his powerful
P-W-S army pursuit plane with the
sun.
Darkness enshrouded San Fran
cisco as Lieutenant Vaughan ap'
peared. The drone of his motor
came to the ears of the waiting
thousands, and they broke into pro
longed cheering. The flier circled
the field twice, his plane blotted
from view part of the time by a
light mist. Then he shot downward
and TAXED almost to the door OF
army headquarters in perfect
landing.
The belt-buckle of the world had
been pulled up a few more notches.
Lieutenant Vaughan was borne
away to army headquarters amid a
deafening ovation. There he re-
counted briefly the story of his diff
cult VOYAGE, and received a shower
of congratulations, including a mes
Usage from Major General Patrick
chief of the air service.
He declared that he had been III
two or three dozen times during the
sea-to-sea dash. He said he had eaten
nothing since breakfast-in New
York. Supper he ate in San Fran
cisco.
Averaged $50 Miles Per Hour
Lieutenant Vaughan flew at ar
average speed of approximately 15t
miles an hour, he said, making less
than that above 1000 feet and more
at or under that height.
IL was mighty glad to see the
lights of Crissy field he comment
ed. Il lost them for awhile, but
quickly picked them up again.
II bucked head winds for two
| thirds of the way, and the rest Of
the way L bucked a heavy cross
wind"
His plane, he explained, was Of E
| type now being tried out by the all
service, differing only in that ad
| iustments were made enabling hin
to carry eighty gallons more of gaso
line.
The machine, a 375-horsepower sin
gle-seater, appeared to be in perfect
mechanical condition when he ar
rived. 1t is of nearly the. same type
as that in which he made his two
previous attempts to span the con
tinent in a day.
On the first flight, July 10, 1923
a small motor ailment midway acros!
the country forced abandonment o
the flight. Ten days later he tried
again, but at Rock Springs, Wyo,
was forced down by an oil leak.
Lieutenant Vaughan went to tn,
home of Lieutenant Colonel William
e. Gilmore, in charge of the ali
force at Crissy field, where he viii
be a guest several days.
PRESIDENT COOLIDGE SENDS
WIRE OF CONGRATULATIONS
WASHINGTON, June 24.-Presi
dent Coolidge today wire his con
gratulations to Lieutenant r. L
Vaughan, on his successful dawn-to
dusk flight from coast to coast,
Il am glad to extend to you m!
| most cordial congratulations" tn,
president said. Your flight is al
achievement of which every Ameri
can is proud and marks real ad
vance in practical aviation"
Telegrams of congratulation ais,
were sent from both the army an,
navy flying corps today to Lieuten
ant Il. l.. Vaughan at Crissy field
California, upon his completion c
the Cross-country dawntodusl
fight.
The army is proud of you ans
the latest record you have added I,
its achievements, Secretary Week
telegraphed. Your flight of yester
day IS not only a triumph of science
but of personal courage and skill.
extend TO YOU my own conSratuki
tons as we'll as the thanks OF tn
/ department" :