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public welfare enlisted his warm sympathy in philanthropic causes, and either individually or in joint association with his brothers he has been a liberal donor to many public charities and kindred institutions. In June, 1925, Mr. Guggenheim contributed $500,000 to establish a School of Aeronautics at New York University. This gift had its origin in Mr. Guggenheim's conviction that aviation could be made a real public utility rendering vital service to the nation's business and economic welfare as well as to its defense. In January, 1926, he provided for the establishment of The Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics, to which Fund was made available the sum of $2,500,000. The immediate purposes of the Fund were the promotion of aeronautical education, extension of fundamental aeronautical science, and the development of commercial aircraft as an aid to the business and industrial activities of the nation. The trustees of the Fund are men of national distinction in aviation, engineering, law and business. Harry F. Guggenheim was elected President of the Fund, and Rear Admiral H.I. Cone, U.S.N. retired, Vice-President. After a thorough investigation of aeronautical conditions in this country and Europe, the Fund decided a primary need in aviation was the promotion of ways and means of securing safety in flight. To this end the Fund announced in the spring of 1927 a Safe Aircraft Competition for prizes totaling $150,000. One of the most important contributions by the Fund were grants totaling $1,200,000 to various aeronautical education institutions for the purpose of research and instruction in the science of aeronautics. In particular, it has made a large gift for wind tunnels and laboratory equipment in each of five engineering universities in the United States, (California Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Leland Stanford University, University of Michigan and University of Washington). The Fund's Committee on Elementary and Secondary Aeronautical Education was organized for the purpose of introducing the study of aeronautics in the public schools throughout the United States, by the preparation of instructional material in aeronautics consisting of text books, supplementary courses, and such other data as may be helpful. In the fall of 1926 the Fund financed a country-wide tour of the Byrd North Pole plane for the purpose of focusing attention on the development of aircraft and the need for municipal airports. After the -4- return of Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh to the United States, following his historic flight from New York to Paris, Colonel Lindbergh made a 22,350 mile tour of the United States under the auspices of the Fund to increase popular interest in aviation. During the tour Colonel Lindbergh visited at least one city in each of the 48 States. After completing his tour, he joined the Fund in an advisory capacity and was elected a trustee. In 1927 the Fund granted an equipment trust loan to one of the contract air mail companies for the purpose of financing an experimental passenger airline on the Pacific coast. During the years 1928-1929 the Fund participated in the financing of weather reporting services over airplane routes in California and also established a Full Flight Laboratory for the purpose of studying the unsolved problems of fog flying. In addition it has co-operated with various Government and other agencies in studying meteorological phenomena. As an aid to aerial navigation, the Fund conducted a nation-wide campaign for the identification of towns and cities by roof markings. For the purpose of emphasizing increased safety in aeronautical development, the Fund sponsored in co-operation with the National Safety Council, the First National Aeronautical Safety Conference. The personal contribution made by Mr. Guggenheim to the cause of aviation during 1927 was $25,000, for an air expedition to Newfoundland to search for the lost French aviators, Nungesser and Coli. In December, 1928, Mr. Guggenheim contributed $500,00 to the Chilean Government for the establishment of a school of aeronautics in Chile, not only for the training in flying, but to provide a scientific education leading to the degree of Aeronautical Engineer. This gift was accepted on behalf of the Chilean people by His Excellency, Carlos Ibanez Del Campo, President of the Republic of Chile. Mr. Guggenheim is a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, American Academy of Political and Social Science, Delta Mu Delta Fraternity, Columbia Yacht Club, Engineers' Club of New York, Rocky Mountain Club and a trustee of Temple Emanu-El. At the ninety-sixth annual Commencement of New York University in June, 1928, Mr. Guggenheim was awarded the degree of Doctor of Commercial Science. -5-
