Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-28

| Wnlcn ne mlght cneck MS drlft during
the day and night.
Smith declared he hoped to be able
to take off during the morning.
Final Wave to Parents.
Lieut.. Maitland's parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. J. w. Maitland of Burlingame.
Calf, were on the field to witness
the take-off. TO them went the final
hand wave from the pilot as the plane
started rolling along the runway.
Neither the father nor the mother
would discuss their sons venture aft
er the plane departed.
Smith displayed signs of nervous
ness when it was announced the alti-
meter installed in his plane would not
function correctly. His father led him
away. and as they conversed in low
tones the parent patted his son on
the shoulder assuringly.
Expects to Catch Rival.
Smith was perturbed by the set
| back, but he believes he can over
take the Army plane even though
the latter had a 3-hour headstart of
him.
This belief was based on the esti-
mated speed Of the two planes. The
Army plane was expected to travel
about 80 miles an hour for the first
1000 miles and then increase in pro-
portion to the decreasing weight OF
| gasoline.
| Smith expected to take the air at
about 80 miles an hour and increase
until he attained 125 miles per hour
at the finish.
| Immediately on receipt that the
plane had taken off ships on the Pa
cific were flashed wireless warnings to
keep a sharp watch and report its
course by radio.
The radio beacon station erected at
| the Preside of San Francisco especial
ly for the flight, was reported In opera
ton as the flight started.
Spectacle Draws Thousands.
The initial spectacle of what prob
ably wouldbe a neck and neck airplane
race halfway across the Pacific, the
first of it's kind in history. drew
thousands of aviation enthusiasts to
the airport here today as the great
Army Fokker C-2 and the little
hybrid monoplane of Ernest L. Smith
waited side by side for the turn OF
the hand that will start them for
Hawaii.
Perfect weather. golden sunshine
and a light breeze out OF the west
made conditions for the take-off ideal.
| The Smith camp was the taVOrite
attraction as hundreds of weli-Wishers
milled about the small plane, gesticu-
lating, laughing and cheering. The
Army plane, manned by Lieuts. Matt
land and Hegenberger. got its share
of the attention. however, and reserve
police were needed to keep the crowds
at a safe distance.
clay and gravel packed tightly, runs
straight east and west for 1000 feet
almost the full length of the landing
field Guards kept the spectators OFF
the big concourse.
Aviators Get Long Sleep.
Maitland. Hegenberger. Smith and
his navigator, Carter, were making
the most of long sleep. All retired
comparatively early last night.
On one side Of the runway the big
Army plane, fully loaded and weighing
/ 1880 pounds, sank almost inches
into the soft earth beneath its landing
wheels. 1t was painted an olive drab
it's only distinguishing marks being
the two white stars, with red centers
.. on the under side Of either wing.
: Smiths plane, scarcely half the size
, of the Fokker monoplane, gliStene(
, with a new coat of silver. On its
5 wings large navy blue letters an
| nounced it's name: THE City of Oak
land"
j. Workmen on the Smith plane begar
4 warming it up, but declared they were
$ doing SO only for testing purposes
r The plane has not been tested with &
d full load. Indications were that the
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