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THE WASHINGTON POST
Thursday,October 15, 1953

Weeks pays Tribute to Aviation Pioneers

Secretary of Commerce Sinclair Weeks last night paid a face-to-face tribute to the "legendary figures" who made modern aviation possible.

He addressed the International Air Pioneers dinner in the Mayflower Hotel which brought together for the first time half a hundred of the men from around the world who designed and flew frail aircraft during aviation's infancy.

In a lifetime man has seen aircraft develop from the experimental stage to its present "globe-shrinking" status, he noted, "I am honored to see you air pioneers here in the flesh today", Weeks added.

Other speeches at the dinner, sponsored by the National Aeronautic Association as part of the observance of the fiftieth anniversary of powered flight, emphasized the role of aircraft in bringing nations closer together.

Gordon R. McGregor of Canada, president of International Air Transport Association, said "Aviation has denied to the nations of the world the right to regard theirselves as isolated and has increased their ability to establish contact with one another."

Because aviation has enabled the nations to "know each other" it can be a potent factor in "working for peace," said McGregor.

Similarly, Cornelis Kolff, of Holland, President of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, said, " I strongly believe aviation in the long run will improve not disturb international relations."

From 10 foreign countries and all parts of the United States the intrepid early airmen came to attend last night's dinner and be presented with a medal and scroll for their part in advancing aviation.

Chairman was Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, USN (ret,), America's famed polar explorer.In an interview Byrd, whose polar flights attracted international acclaim, revealed he is now laying plans for another expedition.

On the eve of the fiftieth anniversary of powered flight Byrd ventured a prediction about the next half century of flight, saying, "The world will continue to shrink with an ever increasing acceleration".

These air developments will give man a new "environment which he will have to learn to live in." said Byrd, adding, "Man will have conquered space in the next 50 years".

Lieut. Gen. James H. Doolittle was toastmaster of the dinner. He introduced a "modern pioneer", to the earlybirds, Maj, Charles E. Yaeger, the worlds first supersonic flyer.

On hand last night were pioneer birdmen from the Unites States, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal and Italy.

Great names in American aviation included Glenn L. Martin, early manufacturer; Brig. Gen. Frank P. Lahm, USA (ret.), first Army flyer; Beckwith Havens, early test pilot, and four early women pilots: Blanche Scott, Ruth Law Oliver, Blanche Noyes and Katherine Stinson Otero. 

Yesterday afternoon the pioneers visited the White House where President Eisenhower told them he was a "frustrated sort of flyer" himself.

He revealed that he wanted to join the budding Army Air Corps during World War 1 but was talked out of it by his wife. He finally got a private pilot's license in 1936, he said.

The group of pioneers will conclude their three day gathering today when they tour the National Air Museum.

Picture of J A D  McCurdy- Canadian Air Pioneer

Bell Eulogized as forgotten man of flying
By Matt McDade Post Reporter

The Dean of living pilots yesterday eulogized Alexander Graham Bell as the forgotten man of international aviation.

Scottish-born Bell is best known for his invention of the telephone.

"But Bell", according to Dr. John A. D. McCurdy, 67, of Nova Scotia, "was one of the great men of aviation. Bell and his assistants invented the aileron and the three-wheel undercarriage now in use all over the world.

McCurdy, a youthful assistant to Bell, made the first flight in Canada, the first prolonged flight across water and sent the first radio message from a plane in flight.

After his arrival here for the reunion of air pioneers from more than a dozen free countries, McCurdy made a solitary pilgrimage to Bell's old home at 1331 Connecticut ave. nw. He was saddened to discover that the great inventor's Washington home "Which should have been a shrine had been razed to make way for a parking lot.

McCurdy grew up in Baddeck, N. S., the site of Bell's summer and eventually permanent home. After the invention of the telephone, Bell became interested in flying. He was a  founder of the National Geographic Society, a senior regent of the Smithsonian and a friend of scientists. He gave generous sums to the air experiments of Professor Samuel Pierpont Langley.  

In the spring of 1907, three young men were  assisting Bell in kite-flying experiments at his Baddeck home. They were McCurdy;  a college associate, F. W. Baldwin, and United States Army Lieut. Thomas A. Selfridge, who was on leave at the time. Mrs. Bell suggested that an association be informed to attempt seriously to build a workable plane. She offered to finance the venture.

Bel found a fourth assistant, a young motorcycle manufacturer. He was Glenn H. Curtiss. The non profit aerial experiment Association built four machines, all of which flew.

A 110-mile flight from Key West to Cuba in February, 1911, gave McCurdy his greatest thrill. His instruments consists of a dollar watch and 35-cent compass. It was the first extensive flight across water, and the United States spaced 10 vessels across the gulf to fish him from the drink if necessary.

Near the mouth of Havana Harbor, a loose connecting rod wrecked his motor. The Navy rescued McCurdy, but a salvage operation destroyed the plane. It was always that way for McCurdy. He was lucky. All his earliest associates were killed in crashes or are dead.

At 67, McCurdy is a remarkably fit, dynamic man who seems younger than his years. He is former lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia and former President of Montreal aircraft industries. But the senior pilot is not really retired. "Its just an interlude" he said.

Maryland City Group sets up 3 committees

The commission appointed by the prince Georges county commissioners to study a proposal to create a "Maryland city" approved the organization of three fact-finding committees last night.

The proposal would incorporate the metropolitan areas of Prince Georges county into one community.

The committees given approval were recommended in a report by the commission's steering committee. They are fiscal, governmental structure, and services. They will study the governments of municipalities proposed for incorporation.

The committees reports will be followed up by what the steering committee called the second and third phases of the commission's job recommendation and education.