AERONAUTICS: International Conference

For I dip’t into the future,

Far as human eye could see.

Saw the vision of the world,

And all the wonder that would be,

Saw the Heavens fill with commerce,

Argosies of magic sails,

Pilots of the purple twilight,

Dropping down with costly bales.

President Coolidge recited those lines, written by Tennyson in 1842, to the first International Conference on Aeronautics at Washington last week. They were part of his résumé of aviation’s 25-year accomplishments. Flyers and aeronautics authorities from 40 nations heard him.

But Orville Wright, whom the President extolled, was not present. A train derailment had delayed him. When he arrived and unobstrusively entered the conference hall by a side door, a short grey-haired man in a sack suit, the delegates rose and applauded. He smiled, said nothing, took a seat near Charles Augustus Lindbergh. Later in the sessions, when Col. Lindbergh was summoned to accept the bronze Clifford Harmon trophy, he was obliged to step over Mr. Wright’s feet. Nothing was said. A moment later, Assistant Secretary of Commerce MacCracken called Mr. Wright to join Col. Lindbergh in the presentation. The young man, 26, who flew to world admiration, waited for the elderly one, 56, who flew to the world’s skepticism. Arm in arm they walked to the ceremony, said nothing.

Another day, the House of Representatives voted Distinguished Flying Crosses to Wilbur Wright (died 1912 of typhoid fever) and Orville Wright. Orville Wright again said nothing.*

The business of the conference was, as must be, general. Research engineers and aerodynamists met and discussed their technical problems. Transport men heard papers on airgraphics (meteorology), airways, airports, organization, operation and maintenance of airlines, radio directors, electro-magnetic compasses, altitude finding by radio echo. Private flying-clubs, a successful stimulant to aviation in England, are beginning to appear in the U. S. Significant was the observation that air travel now costs the passenger only 14¢ a mile against railroad fare of 4¢ a mile.

A last action of the conference was to hear an appeal for the establishment of an international code of standards for airplane manufacture and certificates of airworthiness. Qualifications of those countries that belong to the International Convention for Air Navigation are fairly uniform. But the U.S. does not belong to that convention, and its lack of accord hampers the export of our planes, parts and accessories.

After the conference, delegates went to Boiling Field at Washington to watch Army, Navy and Marine planes maneuver. But dismal, foggy weather stopped the display.

More pleasing were the following dedication ceremonies—of a boulder and a monument—at Kitty Hawk, N. C., where man first flew, the gusty 17th of December, 1903.

*Senators at another time had opportunity to shake his hand; he chatted a little.