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MILLING, T. DEWITT, BRIG. GEN. USAF. - BIOG. FILE - FOLDER NO. 2 ITEM NO. 5A]]

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NATIONAL AIR MUSEUM

DRAFT
[[handwritten Burgess Traetra Flying]]

REQUIRED MANY days to repair. The new scout plane was received from the Wright Company but was smashed when the Wright pilot attempted a landing on plowed ground...One of the tests required at that time. The plane could go 70 miles an hour, much faster than anything we had and the rate of climb over 1500 feet in 3 minutes, exceeding the requirements. Today the question of plowed ground would not be a requirement - the plane would have been flown only from a landing field. During all of this, pilots had never received incentive pay for flying. Finally, on 2 March 1913, the appropriation bill, carrying an authorization for 30% of regular pay - limiting it to 30 who could receive this pay. At the same time, Congress refused to appropriate more than $125,000 - just the same amount that had been appropriated in 1911.

   On Feb 25, orders were received from the War Department that all personnel and equipment would move to Texas City, Texas as promptly as possible, reporting there for duty as part of the second division that was being assembled as result of tense relations with Mexico. Two days were required to prepare the school for field service; the airplanes, parts, hangers, equipment needed for field services were loaded on railroad cars and the special train left on the 28 August with 5 officers, 21 enlisted men and all the necessary field equipment.

Transcription Notes:
the handwritten note is difficult to read. Looks to be Burgess