Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-27

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s. ingalls,, Assistant Secretary Of the
Navy for Aeronautics, said here. The
Navy is looking to the races in Its
search for faster combat planes. Civil
aviation must have more speed in trans
port operation and these races are the
proving grounds to which 1t must turn
for its future designs"
The low-Wing speed monoplane first
came to widespread attention in COM
mercial practice last year at Cleveland.
The Travelair mystery ship made its
debut there and won the free-for-all.
1t was the first time in history civil
ian ship had won this race, which had
always been q walk-away for the Army
and Navy.
Many Low-Winged Types.
Since that time there las been an
epidemic Of low-winged uaonoplanes,
many of very high speed. Many Of
them are taking sensational parts in
the races here. The Army Air Corps
is considering low-wing type Of attack
plane; there is at least one new low
wing aiTmal plane of excellent speed
and Maneuyerability and several short
and transport planes of the low-wing
type, including onetri-motored plane,
have made their appearance.
Many of the planes here this year
show decided improvements over those
last year. They are of cleaner design,
stronger construction and higher speed
without increase in power.
A word of praise for the treatment
accorded the Dixie Derby flyers in the
National Capital, where they started
their 1,600-mile race to Chicago, was
voiced here by Mrs. Phoebe Fairgraves
Omlie, winner of the first Eastern wom-
ems derby and the first derby ever to
start from Washington, upon her ar
rival yesterday afternoon.
I'VE were very well treated in WASH
ington," Mrs. Omlie said. I'VE were
sorry to find that the National Capital
does not have its own airport. We
started from Washington Airport, a
commercial field, which is very well
equipped field but small. I understand
1t Is planned to combine the two COM
mercial fields there, which would be q
great help"
From Washington to Raleigh, N. O.,
Mrs. Omlie said, the six girls starting
in the derby few through weather so
foul that the airnail remained on the
ground. From Raleigh on, however, the
weather was fairly good except for the
trip over the Southern mountains, she
said. Despite the terrible weather of
VAC AAASb duyt nA1C odAhs AlCA 4AbllC WdIHCI
motoTed monocoupe averaged 1853 miles
per hour. The six girl pilots were
evenly matched, she said, and she
praised her competitors for the splen-
did races they few.
AS result of the success of the
Dixie Derby the National Capital prob
ably will be selected as the starting
point for future races In connection
with these annual classics, according
to race officials.
There. is one very noticeable thing
about the races this year. 1t Is the
increased business spirit manifested by
the representatives Of the aviation in
dustry present. There is less light
hearted playing about than there ever
has been at meet Of this sort 1t
is readily apparent that the aviation
industry Is recognizing the fact that
the play days of it's childhood are over
and that now the time has come for
1t to settle down to work.
Drinking Tradition Obsolete.
In the popular Imagination pilots
have always been associated with GER
tain lack OF conventional decorum and
an addiction TO spirituous fluids upon
occasions like these races. You'd be sur
prised II you were here today TO see how
sober and industrious these young men
are. The Chicago bootleggers are sur
prised and more than a trif1e hurt.
There is less drinking and midnight
whoopee than at any air classic held
since the war.