Viewing page 83 of 102

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[strikethrough]] -79- [[/strikethrough]] 80
had not made an ascension while Mr. Ford was at our tent. I waited, thinking the storm would pass. The fair officials did not appreciate my position and wanted a flight before the rain and urged me not to disappoint them. Mutterings could be heard among those present. One fellow said something about cowardice. This settled the matter. We walked the ship out and just as the motor started we heard a deep rumble of thunder in the distance. It was a warning that we would have to act quickly. We started a good flight but cut it short. Just as we landed the storm broke, soaking us all as we struggled to get the ship back into the tent. The storm lasted for about an hour after which the sun came out from behind the clouds and everything looked beautiful again. 
   Mr. Stevenson, the secretary of the fair, called to see us to offer his thanks for having saved the day for them by making a flight in the face of a very bad storm. I was so pleased I told him we would make another to show our appreciation. The air was perfect for an ascent and we made the second trip, flying around the race track several times. Occasionally, the public had been unappreciative but not this crowd. On landing, I was carried on their shoulders from the airship to the tent.

               A CALL ON HENRY FORD
    On the following morning, I called at the office of the Ford Motor Company and asked for Mr. Ford. After some delay, Mr. Cousins told me politely that I was not welcome at the factory; that my presence there would demoralize the efficiency of the workmen and seriously interfere with the factory produc-