Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-05-09

The effort to promote interest in
aviation in Augusta with the objec-
tive of making this city an import
ant center for aviation in the State
OF Maine, which was recently inau-
gurated by the newly instituted State
Of Maine Chapter of the National
Aeronautic Association, will be given
q very material and definite boost in
the immediate future, with the COM
ing here of William e. Wass now of
Brunswick, former Augusta boy,
and one of the outstanding aviators
in the French and American. flying
service during the World War.
Lieutenant Wass intends to establish
a flying school for the training #
pilots for pleasure or commercial
aviation, and has already secured an
option for the lease Of an extensive
tract of land on the East Side of the
river, where his hangers will be To-
Gated ana his activities carried on.
lieutenant Wass was in Augusta
Friday for the purpose of investi-
eating the situation and possibilities
which this city offers, and SO cordial
and enthusiastic was his reception
that he will remain on here to COM
plete arrangements for the immed-
late establishment of flying school.
He stated last evening to the Ken
nebec Journal that he would prob
ably bring Curtis Swallow" type
of plane to this city within a week
or two, and that as soon as he can
make proper provision for a hanger
will augment the first plane equip
ment with other planes Of the same
type.
Has Option On Flying Field
The tract of land, which Lieut..
Wars has selected as suitable for
aviation purposes. and on which he
has taken an option with the prive-
lege of leasing, Is on the East Side
OF the river near the Harrington
grammar school, and 10 the same
field where Lieut.. George Maxim Of
Winslow has landed several times.
Since the visit by U. s. Army avia-
tors with several bombinb planes to
this city, several years ago, there
has been considerable interest in
aviation, and several attempts to in.
terest commercial aviators in this
city as a possible base for operations.
The city has been an occasional port
of call for "tramps of the air." and
a considerable degree of success has
been attended the brief visitations of
pilots who carried passengers for
short flights.
Muster Field Government Controlled
Previously all talk of an aviation
field in Augusta has concerned the
state muster field on the heights be-
tween Wstern avenue and Winthrop
streets. Any suggestion as to the
possible development of that field
has necessarily been contingent upon
action by the state military authori-
ties or the U. s. departments Of avi-
alton. At the charter meeting Of
the State of Maine chapter Of the
National Areonautic association. held
at the Augusta House few weeks
ago, Lieut.. Maxim Of Winslow de-
clared that the field on the east side
Of the river was far more satisfac-
tory and acceptable to aviators than
the muster field in its present condi-
ton. This statement was made dur
ing the discussion Of the advisability
or possibility Of local interests taxi
ingsteps for the establishment Of an
accredited landing field.
Lieutenant Wass, who IL making q
definite and progressive step in the
interest of commercial aviation in
Maine and particularly in this city
is very well known here, and was a
resident and secured his early edu-
cation in the schools of Augusta. He
removed to Brunswick with his fam
lily in 1912, and Is the son Of Prof. w.
II. Wass of Bowdoin college.
Splendid War Record
During the world war, Maine peo-
pie followed with pride the career
and heroic exploits Of William E..
Wass. He was one of the first Maine
college men to cast his lot with the
Allies, before the United States be-
came embroiled in the war. He left
Bowdoin college, where he was a
first year man in 1916. and went
across to serve in the American field
service with the French army. He
was a member Of that unit seven
months and then enlisted In the
French Regiment d'Estranger. or
Foreign Legion. He later secured a
transfer to the French aviation ser
vice where he qualified ~ an aviator
and served three years in the
French army. He became a member
of the Lafayette Escadrille, that ia
49, 4.