Evening star., 1953-12-18
Air Power Essential
To RepeI Attack,
President Declares
BY Harry Lever

IL AI1lSAICd 10 W NC AAduC AA0
violate from attack. it's air power
is an absolute need as deter
rent to potential enemies. Pres
ident Eisenhower declared last
night in addressing banquet
commemorating the 50th ami
versary of powered fight.
In winding up the celebration
of the day the Wright brothers
made their historic flight a half
century ago, the President also
said that he does not believe any
amount of armed force can pro-
vide real safety unless a deep
appreciation of spiritual and
moral values goes with it.
Speaking informally soon after
his arrival in the Hotel Statler,
President Eisenhower paid trib-
ute to the perseverance and
courage of the Wright brothers.
The President reflected on the
vast developments which already
have occurred in aviation and
still are taking place at dizzy
ing pace.
Jokes About Speed.
The speed of modern planes
came in for a joking reference.
He told of how, in the early days,
it was considered a good per-
formance if an airplane few at
80 miles an hour. Then, he added.
he read only the other day that
a modern jet, the Bell X-1A
rocket plane, had Travelled at
about 1850 miles an hour, or 212
times the speed of sound.
He said that by the centennial
of powered flight - in the year
2003-his 5-year-old grandson,
Dwight David Eisenhower II.
may see airplanes travelling at
the unbelievable speed of $4,000
miles an nOur.
Commenting that double this
speed might approach that of
light. he laughingly added:
What would happen if we pierce
the radiant barrier?"
This would present a problem,
the President remarked amid the
laughter. suggesting that physi-
cistS would wonder IF you travel
faster than light, will you go
blind?"
High Awards Presented.
A major event of the evening
was the presentation of avia-
tons three highest awards, the
Wright, Brewer and Collier tro-
phieS.
President Eisenhower pre-
sented the Wright Trophy to
Representative Hinshaw, Re
publican, of California. "for pub
lie service of enduring value to
aviation in the United States" :"
The Frank G. Brewer Trophy
was presented by the President
to DR.. Leslie A. Bryan of the
University of Illinois. for "con-
tributing most to the develop
ment of air youth in the field
of education and training"
Leonard S. Hobbs, vice presi-
dent of engineering for United
Aircraft Corp. received the Col
lier Trophy from the President
for the design. development and
production of the J-57 jet en-
CINE, Americas most powerful
aircraft power plant"
Another speaker was 1t. Gen.
James H. Doolittle, U. S. A. F.,
retired. In the interests of self
preservation and as a deterrent
to war, he called for a long
range buildup of United States
airpower.
The famed leader of the heavy
bombing raids on Tokyo in World
War II, who sparked the 50th
anniversary celebration. said the
buildup referred to both the
power to strike back by air with
atomic weapons against an ag-
gressor. and to the necessity of
maintaining the defense of the
home front.
Sees Russia Close Second.
He warned that Russia was not
far behind the United States in
producing the very latest type
aircraft, and said that the air.
atomic offensive power of this
country is the greatest deterrent
to war, land our primary weapon
In case of war is forced upon us"
A highlight of the program
was the presentation of 26 of
the % persons who previously
have won the Collier Trophy,
which dates back to 1911, when
it was won by Glenn H. CurtisS
for development of what then
was termed the hydro o-aeroplane.
Orville Wright won the trophy
in 1913 for developing the auto
matte Stabilizer
Arthur Godfrey. of radio and
televiSion, eulogized the Wright
brothers.
Presiding at the dinner was
Vernon Johnson. president of
the Aero Club of Washington
Harry K. Coffey. president of
the National Aeronautic As
sociation, announced the trophy
winners The guest list included
the Nations leaders in every
phase of aviation.
The function was attended
by an audience estimated at
1,700 persons, one of the largest
gatherings of its type here.
Nearly 1000 persons crowded
into the Presidential and Con-
greSSional Rooms of the hotel.
The rest were seated in other
rooms and saw the proceedings
by cloSed-circuit televiSion.
Speed Plane Model |
Brings Out Boyish
Eisenhower Grin