Evening star., 1932-06-22
MRS. PUTNAM FLIES
BACK TO NEW YORK
Leaves Capital After Receiv-
Ing Gold Medal of Geo.
graphic Society.

Carrying with her the great gold
ul2dal of the National Geographic So
cLty. the first ever awarded to a
woman, and the praises of the Nations
leaders, Mrs. Amelia Earhart Putnam,
fl,st woman to ey the Atlantic alone,
Lift the Capital by plane today for her
nome in New York.
Although she has been through a
month of receptions and honors which
might be expected to exhaust one more
rugged, Mrs. Putnam said she does not
intend to rest long. Within the next
week or 10 days she will take to the
air again in the fast monoplane which
carried her across the ocean. With her
husband. George Palmer Putnam pub
Usher, will head for the Pacific Coast.
Mrs. Putnam said she would go di-
rectly to Los Angeles-the trip is for
business purposes, she indicated-and
may remain there for the OLYMPIC
games She also plans to be in Cleve-
land for the national air races and
tion there during the 10 days ending on
Labor day
Seventh to Receive Medal.
The National Geographic Society
medal, the highest award for geographic
cal achievement in this country, was
received by Mrs. Putnam from the
hands of President Hoover. She was
the seventh person in history to re-
ceive the medal from a President. The
presentation, made in Constitution Hall
before a brilliant throng Of national
leaders, was the climax of day of
honors for the slender girl who has
written her name in aviation's hall of
fame.
In presenting the medal, President,
Hoover said:
TT is a great pleasure to come here
snd share in your honoring of Mrs.
Amelia Earhart Putnam. She has
shown splendid courage and skill in
flying alone across the Atlantic Ocean.
She has often before demonstrated her
ability to accomplish the most difficult
tasks that she sets herself to do. She
has been modest and good humored
'All these things combine to place
her in spirit with the great pioneer
ing women to whom every generation
o. Americans has looked up. with ad-
miration for their firmness of will their
strength of character, and their cheer
full spirit of comradeship in the work
of the world. 1t is significant that she
found the first outlet for her energies in
social settlement work, and that
tihOukll IlCl SuCIcSSlOIl VI u
tn aviation, her transcontinental and
transoceanic flights, she has continued
active in this warmly human labor"
Adds Nothing, She Says.
Mrs. Putnam, with the characteristic
modesty which has endeared her to fol-
lowers of aviation. replied she had
really added nothing to aviation" by
her transatlantic flight.
1T was, she said, primarily q
gesture of personal satisfaction"
She recalled that after her first ocean
flight, in which she flew as a pas
senger. she had been slightingly refer
red to in England as "a sack of
potatoes"
I'm grateful" she said. "for the gen.
erous reception that has been given me,
and especially this honor at the hands
of the National Geographic Society, but
I think the appreciation OF the deed
is ont of proportion to the deed itself"
She told briefly of her struggles with
bad weather and of mechanical troubles
which beset her during the ocean flight.
The flight convinced her. she said, OF
the need for more comprehensive ocean
weather information, to be gathered,
possibly, by the crew of an anchored
weather observation station in Mid
atlantic.
Il believe regular transatlantic air
service is inevitably coming" she said
in conclusion. How soon depends on
many factors, perhaps chief of which
Is airplane design.
Il shall be happy if my small exploit
has drawn attention to the fact women
are flying, too"
Sets New Air Records.
The President was introduced by DR..
Gilbert Grosvenor, president OF the Ma
tional Geographic Society, who presided.
DR.. Grosvenor called attention to the
fact Mrs. Putnam's flight not only was
the first by a woman, but that it also
established new speed record for the
Atlantic crossing of 16 hours and II
minutes and distance record for flight
by woman of 2,026.5 miles.
Constitution Hall was crowded to ca
pacity and many hundreds were turned
away. The audience included dipIo-
mats and Statesmen, members of the
cabinet, the Senate and House; officers
of the Army and Navy and leaders in
official and social life of the Capital.
The presentation was the climax Of
q day of high honors, which included
reception on the floor of the Senate.
privilege accorded few men or women
in history. Mrs. Putnam shook hands
with each member of the Senate after
being escorted to the floor by the Vice
President. The Senate recessed in her
honor on motion of Senator Bingham
of Connecticut, president of the Ma
tional Aeronautic Association, of which
Mrs. Putnam is vice president
From the Senate she was taken to the
House, welcomed by Speaker Garner
and escorted to the gallery, from which
she was presented to the membership
by Representative Millar of New York.
The members rose to their feet with a
burst O. applause and cheers.
Praised by Secretaries.
She received the personal congratula-
tons and praise of the Secretaries of
Fer Navy and Commerce later.
Her days activities began with re-
6eption by the President and Mrs.
Hoover at the White House, followed by
4 luncheon given in her honor by trus-
eees of the National Geographic So
tiety.
At the Mayf1ower Hotel, where she
occupied the suite reserved for visiting
royalty and distinguished guests, she
held an informal press conference late
yesterday.
questions of perpleXed Washingtonians
S1ho wondered whether it was proper to
Aay Mrs. Putnam" or Miss Earhart"
SPECIAL NOTICES.
HONEY, 5-LB CAN PURE, FANCY TABLE
or cooking 9oc west O654 by 10 am.
ct VI