Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-24
FLYERS MAY GET
TRACTOR GIFTS
Friends of Soviet Russia
/ Raising Fund for Men on
= 12,000.MiIe Flight.
BY WILLIAM RUFUS SCOTT.

Friends Of Soviet Russia in this coun-
try plan an unusual gift to the Russian
flyers now crossing the United States
in their 12,000-mile fight from Mos
COW to New York City. 1t is proposed
to present the four aviators with as
many tractors and trucks as the fund
being raised will purchase.
The stated reason is the desire OF
Americans sympathetic with the new
regime in Russia to commemorate the
first fight of the kind by gifts which
will help the Socialist republic in its
struggle to get on a sound economic
footing. Appeals for contributions have
gone out from the New York headquar-
ters of the organized group friendly to
the Soviet to all parts Of the Nation.
After reaching New York the Russian
flyers plan to visit washington, where
they have expressed the hope of meet
ing President Hoover. On landing at
Seattle recently they stated that Ford
and Hoover were two names widely
known in Russia, and stop at Detroit
to see the auto manufacturer also Is
scheduled. Ford has contract TO help
the Soviet build its own automobile fac
tories.
Date of Visit Not Fixed.
The exact date of the Washington
visit will not be fixed, 1t is understood
until after the arrival in New York.
which probably will be around the end
of this week or the beginning OF next
week. Whether the presentation of the
tractors and trucks will be made during
their first New York visit or after their
return from Washington, and Just be-
fore starting to Russia, has not Deen
announced. ,.-
American tractors are figuring more
and more in the agricultural lie OF
modern Russia. and a zeal Tor good
roads and motor transportation also mas
developed, 50 that sending tractors and
trucks to Russia by the flyers, or under
their direction, is said by those who
sponsor the move to be the most ac-
ceptable gift that could be made.
II has been intimated that the Rus
sian flyers may try to hop to Moscow
over the Atlantic and so complete the
fight around the world. final decl-
sion on this awaits the arrival in New
York. The plane, Land OF the soVless,
is not now completely original, as one
motor had to be replaced during the
fight from Alaska to Seattle, and other
repairs were necessary. But the night
over the Pacific Ocean was completed
with the plane as it was built in Russia.
Cordial Welcome Promised.
AInly, navy anu
and throughout the country have given
every assistance to the Russians and
a cordial official welcome locally Is
promised aside from the public interest
that may develop. At all other points
in their American tour the Russians
have had enthusiastic public and ON
cial receptions as tributes to heroic
flying and the contribution made to
aviation history.
If the Russians decide to return by
ship, they will accompany the proposed
gift of tractors and trucks. while if
they attempt an Atlantic flight and
are successful in it they will be in Mos
COW ahead of the donation.
The films Of the receptions accorded
to the flyers in this country are ex-
pected to be shown widely in Russia,
not only as proof of the hospitality
of the American people, but to stimu-
late Russian popular interest in avia-
ton.