Seward daily gateway., 1924-02-27
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
 HEARS L|EuT. c. D|SSflL

hASuI' Siety loA bioo6ii, Ul tue u Onlteu States Army Air Service, was the guest of honor at the luncheon of the chamber of commerce yesterday, and he explained in detail the proposed army airplane flight around the ming of aviation, when the Wright brothers first projected their heavier than air machine around the small en- closure where their patents were test ed, Lieut. Bissell showed how fast aviation had advanced. He stated that at the time of the war the nation had but few machines, lilly equipped for sustained flights, and that Up to the beginning of 1919, but few planes had flown 300 miles and remained in the air for any duration of time. Follow ing the first flight across the Allan tic, trans-continental flight were sue cessful, and during the past few years the mail planes between the East and West coasts had made hundreds of flights, carrying many tons of mail, and maintaining schedule more eX- act than any train service.
 He stated that Alaska, owing to its topography, was more in need of air plane service than the States, and that a little concerted effort on the part of Alaskans would result in a squadron being stationed here for the mapping and development of aviation flights.
 The present flight of army planes around the world is the continuation of an attempt on the part of the na- tion to honor the remaining survivor of the invention of the air machine
 He explained that it was the desire of the Army department to consum- mate this flight with American built machines and motors and American fliers. The motors recently perfected are as we'll nigh perfect as can be made with the limited experience of inventive genius, and these motors af- | ter a rigid test had been accepted as the type of power to be used by Am l erican fliers.
 Lieut. Bissell told his audience that the machines would be brought from l California to Seattle, where the mo- tors would be installed, the machines overhauled, equipped with pontoons, and made ready for the first leg of the flight to Prince Rupert. From Prince Rupert the next leg would be to Sit ka, at which place the fliers would start on the longest over-water flight on the trip; from Sitka to Cordova. l At Sitka the aviators would be equip per with food, blankets, guns, etc, so in case they were compelled to des- cend in some of the lagoons between Cape St. Elias and Cordova they could do so, and sustain themselves until rescued or their flight resumed. From Cordova the flight to Seward would l be a short one Arriving at Seward i the machines would circle the town | several times, and a landing would i then be made at a point between the oil dock and the cold storage plant. The machines would then go under their own power or be lowed to vel low buoys near the radio station at i the head of the bay, where they would he pulled up ashore at high tide, and the pontoons cleaned and the ma chimes fueled and oiled. The next tide they would be returned to the water. In case of delay in arriving here due to stress of weather, the ayiators would hop off after overhaul ing the machines; otherwise they would remain here day or so.
 The speaker stressed the fact that tho men would be tired and nervous and therefore would expect no enter tainment. In case they remained over 2 dav or so, after overhauling their machines they would undoubtedly be- nleased to be entertained in any man. nor our citizens saw fit. In answer toI an inquiry as to where they "oulu nrefer to stay he replied that hotel would be best for them
 Tie,,t Bissell said that at first It
 f1yn was decided to fly direct from oltkd to Seward. as the mileage was prac- ticall1, the same, but the weather ou- reau had warned the aviators of logs in this vicinity and they preferred to| s+on at Cordova rather than return to Sitka. On the other hand he salo the machines might be delayed al Cordova by bad weather while the weather was fine in Seward.
 At the introduction of his remarks he again paid a compliment to the manner in which he had been receiv- ed here, both by the committee and citizens. and declared that in his re port the community would receive due credit
 Lieut.. Bisseps talk was both enter taining and instructive, and the man. ner in which he explained his subject greatly pleased the members assem- bled.
 A number of communications were received by the Secretary since the last meeting, and were read to the Chamber. Among them were inquir-