Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-12
Plane Manufacturers and
Army Official Take Action
When Two Are Killed.
COMMERCE DEPARTMENT
WARNS RACE OFFICIALS
Fear of Adverse Effest on Public
Opinion Bars Hair-raisers.
in Los Angeles.
BY FREDERICK r. NEELY,
staff Correspondent of The Star.

STAFF Correspondent OF The Star.
MINES FIELD, LOS ANGELES,
Calf, September 12.-Rigid enforce
ment of the Army Air Corps regulations
requiring all acrobatic maneuvers over
public gatherings to be completed at an
altitude of 1000 feet, coupled with a
demand by the commercial aircraft
manufacturers here with exhibits of
their products that low stunt flying be
moved up to a greater height, so as to
prevent any more misfortunes to pilots.
has had a tendency to take away q
large portion of the drawing power
from the gigantic aeronautical meet
now in progress here. However, the de-
mand of the manufacturers and the un-
obtrusive and almost unknown inter-
vention of the Department of COM
merce yesterday has created, in the
opinion of those who view an aero
nautical meet as a vehicle for expand
ing and Developing aviation, a hopeful
atmosphere that something good might
result for the affair, after all.
When I'd was received that Lieut.
j. j. Williams, Army Air Corps, OF
Rockwell Field, San Diego, died early
Tuesday morning from injuries received
in his crash on the field in front of
thousands of spectators Monday eve
! ming as the last number was being
staged, those who are here to sell air.
planes, to talk safety in aviation, and.
above ALL who believe in the art. science
or profession, regarded the tragedy as
blow to flying from which it will be
difficult for aviation to recover, at least
III this section.
Public Fails to Regard Causes.
The general public, it was argued,
is not going to sit down and try to
reason out just why Lieut.. Williams
crash occurred, why the crash of Lieut..
George Hasselmans Navy plane hap
pened and how both could have been
prevented. All the public knows is
that these two airplanes were flying
along when suddenly they plunged into
i the ground.
How are We going to get the people
! to go up and fly straight, sensibly and
safely after what they have just seen?"
| demanded one aircraft manufacturer.
The situation yesterday was tense
for while. The manufacturers COM
mittee of the Aeronautical Chamber of
Commerce held a solemn meeting and
its members protested vigorously against
acrobatics by any and all types of
planes at low attitudes. The low stunt
formation of the three Navy Sea Hawks
was beautiful to look at. they agreed;
it was superlative flying, it was SUI
perior skill, it was a demonstration of
the ability and agility of the airplane.
So was the flying of THE Three Mus
keteers" of the Army, which was led
by Lieut.. Williams.
Protest Resolution Presented.
The result of the meeting was that
resolution was drawn up for presenta-
ton to the race promoters protesting
against further exhibitions of acrobatics
at low attitudes. The Army, in the
meantime. through Mai Henry B.
Clagett, in command of the Army's
participation in the air races, re-
affirmed its adherence to the standing
Air Corps regulations, which provide
that all acrobaticS over crowds, fields
and public gatherings must be COM
pleted at 1000 feet The Three Mus
keteers" violated that regulation Mon
day. Maj. Clagett said.
What happens to any one when they
violate that regulation" asked an in
quiring reporter.
He usually dies" replied Mai. Clagert
Later in the afternoon when the
Arnlys speedy pursuit planes went aloft,
various and sundry acrobatics were per-
formed including e.. hit consecutive loops
by a three plane formation. spins In
unison, slow and fast barrel rolls to-
gether but all up high and safely. Nat
urally much of the thrill for public
that has seen two terrible crashes. was
lacking. But the pilots are alive and we'll
and probably will live to ripe old age
If they continue to have a good 1000
feet between them and the ground.
Acrobatics Held Essential.
The Army's strict adherence to a safe
altitude was taken independently. but
1t is known the Department of Com
merce did little quiet working on the
side In other quarters. One official of the
aeronauticS branch explained that the
department was not here in the capacity
of a hard-boiled police officer: that
military aviation is separate and distinct
from commercial and civil flying and
that acrobatics, especially with pursuit
craft, are essential to military flying.
Further. the Army and Navy has been
in the flying business longer than the
aeronautics branch. they are governed
by their own rules and regulations and
certainly know or should know how to
handle their personnel
But the department dealt with the
promoters of the race and emphasized
that as crowd catcher" these blood
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