Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-09-11
BY PAUL HARRISON
NEA Service Writer

SPRINGFIELD, Mass, Sept. IL.
Among the worlds most famous
women filters who gathered at
Cleveland for the National Air
Races was one who never before
had dived across a starting line
with open throttle, or rounded a
pylon in a contest OF speed.
In fact, Maude Irving TAFT
had had only a few hours Of prac-
tice flying IN her fleet red and
white monoplane before she took
off with her feminine rivals in the
Aerol trophy race, companion fea-
ture OF the Thompson trophy for
men. Roaring along at 200-mile-
an-hour speed, turning the pylons
with breathtaking banks, the flyers
battled for the title Of speed
queen.
Maude TAFT hoped she could win
Not for money, or fame. the pro-
motion Of aviation or for encour-
agement TO her sex. just for the
sport Of 1t. AS for danger, she
didn't worry, despite her inexpe-
rience. Would her wealthy father,
air-minded uncles, and the pilots.
instructors and officials Of Spring
field airport allow her TO enter a
race If they weren't sure that
Maudie could take care Of herself?
An Minded Family
Years ago the four TAFT broth
erS, Harry, Frank, George and
James, made four fortunes in the
ice cream business here in Spring
field. Then they retired, except
for maintaining an office where
they control their investments.
One day, on a big deal, they found
themselves sole owners OF an air.
port at the edge Of town. Messrs.
TAFT. TAFT. TAFT and TAFT, with the
enthusiastic support OF the vari-
Gus TAFT sons and daughters, i'm
meoiately became air-minded.
The Granville brothers, from I'D
Boston way, came along and we're
backed by the Taits IN starting an
airplane factory at the field. Roscoe
Brinton and Lowell Bayles, veteran
flyers, were established in another
building as the Briton-Bayles Fly
ing Service. Then the Taits found
that there was no hangar left for
themselves. so they built one and
filled II with a tri-mOtored Ford
transport. a CurtiSS Robin. a Com
mandatre, and a Gee-Bee.
Younger Folk learn to Fly
The elder Taits liked TO fly well
enough, but decided they were too
old TO become pilots. They offered
every facility for the instruction Of
the younger TaitS, however, with
the result that Maude, her sister
Barbara. her brother-in-law Frank
Gagnier. and cousins Raymond.
Smith and Donald TAFT soon were
splitting the skies In the family
ships.
Blue-eyed. smiling. capable Maude
had been teaching school three
years before the air n. the
TAFT family. Each day at 4 o'clock.
during 1929. she'd lock her desk ard
streak for the field. Under Brin-
tons tutelage she soloed In 8 10
hours. Then she quit her teaching
in favor OF the mor exciting hobby
and ever since has been the darling
Of the airport.
Stunts never have interested
her particularly. In 1929 she took
a ship TO an altitude OF more tSlan
three miles. Later she was the
only woman among Is pilots on a
four-day tour sponsored by the
New England Council. II rained
nearly al the way, and Maude
taught herself a lot about navi-
cation during those anxious hours.
Last November she received a
transport pilots license and now
has a total Of $40 hours in the air.
Advocate Of Safe Flying
I'm sure Ill never make a dime
out OF aviation" she said. IT'S sport
for me and nothing else. I'm lucky
In being able to afford It. for it's
the most expensive sport there L.
BY comparison with some wo-
men pilots. I probably seem a tim
Id flyer. TIC done quite : lot OF
cross-country work. but always
manage 10 keep near some sort OF
field. Roscoe Brinton taught me
the wisdom Of safe flying, and I'd
probably be grounded by my fam
ily II I ever took any unnecessary
chances.
las a matter OF fact. I think the
very best thing for aviation is for
every flyer 10 see, not how many
stunts he can DO, but how many