Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-20
WILLIAMS TO TEST
| RACE PLANE TODAY
Mercury to Go AIoft if Hu-
manly Possible Despite
Weather.
BY JOSEPH S. EDGERTON,
Aviation Editor Of The Star.


ANNAPOLIS, Md, August 2O.-Dis-
regarding weather conditions which
have baked him for two weeks, Lieut..
Afford J. Williams will put the fate of
his Mercury racing plane to the test at
Annapolis today.
Williams announced that he would
1y the plane If 1t is humanity possible
to get it into the air, regardless of the
weather. Plans for the fight were
made hurriedly this morning following
a conference at the Navy Department
late yesterday during which it is un-
derstood Williams was~told the Navy
would not authorize him to take an un-
tried plane to England for the Schneider
trophy races next month.
Unless williams is able to fly today,
the United States will probably not be
represented in the international speed
classics. II the Mercury racing plane
is to go to England 1t must be Grated
and taken from Annapolis not later
than tomorrow.
Stiff Breeze Blowing.
Shortly before noon final prepara-
tions for today's crucial flight were
being completed and word was received
at Annapolis that Lieut.. Williams was
on his way here from Washington. A
stiff breeze was blowing almost directly
across the Severn River and aviation
officials at the Naval Academy declared
that it would be very difficult for VIII
liams to make the proposed trial.
Unless the wind shifts 1t probably will
be necessary for him to taxi the racing
plane down the Severn River and into
Chesapeake Bay before he can take of.
The motor must be started in calm
mounted on Navy barge which Is tied
up near Santee Wharf, where the racer
is berthed.
The order which is understood to
have been issued by the Navy Depart
ment forbidding Williams to leave for
England without a trial of the plane
brought, an abrupt halt to the work OF
Grating the plane and starting gear for
shipment to England. Starting appa-
ratus had already been dismantled and
was hastily reassembled.
on the plane throughout the morning.
Delays Disappoint Officials.
Failure of Lieut.. Williams to get his
plane into the air during the two weeks
since it was brought to Annapolis has
been source of disappointment to
naval officials at Washington. Sunday
afternoon he was able to lift the plane
3 or 4 feet above the water and flew
it several hundred feet despite twisted
propeller and falling gasoline pressure.
Naval officials, however, do not consider
this anv sort Of test of the planes
flying quality.
Lieut.. Williams expressed himself as
represent the United States worthily
against the teams entered by Great
Britain. France and Italy. Persistent
misfortune has dogged the Navy pilots
footsteps since he brought the powerful
little plane to Annapolis. Adverse
weather has held him up day after day.
Finally when weather conditions were
favorable, he was held up first by loss
Of cowling when the racer narrowly
escaped overturning in the river under
the weight of mechanics and again
when crossed ignition wires resulted in
fire in the motor compartment. His
propeller was bent twice by flying spray
and difficulty with the gasoline pressure
brought his last attempt to halt.
Conference Is Held.
Lieut.. Williams was present late yes
terday at O conference held at WASH
ington, in the office Of David s. Ingalls,,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for
Aeronautics. This conference also was
attended by Lieut.. John r. Roppen,
Medical Corps, who has been assigned
as Williams medical adviser, and Lieut..
Charles Fox.
1--WE don't know whether the plane
will fly or not" ingalls, said following
the conference. eff there is any chance
of it making q showing in the race we
want to send it to England, but in the
absence of more definite proof Of the
planes capability it would be useless to
send It,"
Earlier In the day Lieut.. Williams,
acting under the impression that the
trip had been sanctioned without
further test, had ordered the plane pre-
pared for shipment Friday on the
steamship Majestic. It will be neces-
sary for him to sail then or on the
steamship Berengaria. August 28, which
would give him but two days prepara-
tion for the race.