Organization of the Aero
Club of Yale Completed

The organization of the Aero Club of Yale which was announced some time ago in The News has been completed. Men in all departments of the University who are especially interested  p60 in the development of aeronautics are eligible for member­ship. The War Department has requested that fifty men be recommended from Yale for the summer course of training which will prepare for commissions in the Reserve Corps.

The Aero Club will act as a clearing house for all matters pertaining to aviation, especially in reference to facilities for instruction in flying, Army and Navy activities, the situation in the construction of aeroplanes, motors, etc., the development of instruments for aerial navigation, the use of radio, and all other departments of the science, as far as possible.

To facilitate this branch of the activities, the Club will invite the leaders in aeronautical developments of all kinds to lecture on their special subjects. Among those who have accepted are Glenn H. Curtiss and Lawrence B. Sperry, the chief engineers and designers of the Curtiss Aeroplane Co. and several others. In addition there will be frequent talks on the more dramatic side of flying, given by aviators on leave from the European front.

Professor Breckenridge of the Scientific School is the faculty adviser of the Club and has offered the use of the Mason Laboratory for tests and experiments with aeroplane parts and accessories. Manufacturers have expressed a desire to coöperate in this work. These tests will be carried on for the benefit of the club members.

The test stand

The Club desires to present the practical sides of flying in addition to lecture and research work, and, to accomplish this, exhibition flights at New Haven will be given from time to time, with opportunities for passenger rides for club members.

Dear Mr. Davison:

As you perhaps know, on the occasion of the banquet of the Aero Club of America, which is an annual event, presentations are made of Aviation Medals of Merit for achievements accomplished during the year, and I shall appreciate your advising me whether the members of the Aero Coast Patrol No. 1 at the present time are the same individuals as when it was first formed and if the same in number. Perhaps you would list them for me and I should then have an absolutely correct rendering of their names. Your good work in the mosquito fleet maneuvers and in connection with the developing of aerial coast defense merits all the encouragement that can be offered.

Dear Davison:

It seems that the Commandant of the Naval District is the one to do business with. New London is included in the Newport District, the Second. New Haven is in the District of which New York is the Naval Base, and the Commandant, Navy Yard, New York, is the man there.

Lieutenant H. E. Kays, aide to the Commandant, Naval Station, Narragansett Bay, Newport, R. I., has written to employ and seems very anxious to help things along and to enroll officers and men in the Naval Reserve Flying Corps for his District. I suggest that you write to him directly and clear up any points that you may have in mind about the matter of joining the Naval Reserve Flying Corps. Apparently from the enclosed  p64 outline of the organization of this part of the Naval Reserve Force, it has been interpreted in a much more flexible manner than the reading of the bill would have led one to infer.

You people would of course join as Ensigns and then advance in rank after certain service and examination. It appears that you can resign at any time you desire but this point might be more definitely established. The time of service each year is not excessive, it strikes me. The thing is gotten up, of course, with the idea that the officers and men own their own machines. I should think that in the case of this Unit, having your own machines here at New London, it could be arranged for you to do your service here with us — another point to be established — joining the Naval Reserve Flying Corps would not leave you as free as if you were part of a Coast Defense Unit and in time of war you would have to go where they needed you and ordered you. At present there is no provision for taking over civilian flying-boats and the upkeep of them, but this may come later. Neither, for that matter, is there any such provision in the Coast Defense Unit idea, so there you are. Legislation, I think, will be needed in both cases.

I have thoroughly made up my mind to join an aviation corps in case of war. There is absolutely no argument there. That is the branch of service for which I am best fitted, and in which I could do most. I am only being radical and headstrong because I am perfectly sure that you don't understand the conditions, or else that you think I am the kind of man who can stay at home and let some one else do the fighting. I realize the fact that at least five men are needed at home to support one in the field, but that realization will never, never, never suffice me. I could never stay at home if there was fighting of a real nature. I could never be content at home if the life and honor of any one dear to me was in danger.

War is terrible, but there are two or three things that are worse. The brutality of Germany with respect to Belgium, the statement by Germany that international law and humanity are mere scraps of paper compared to her needs, the wanton murder of helpless American women and children, the open insults to the honor of the United States — they're all worse than war! There are many things worth giving up one's life for, and the greatest of these is humanity and the laws of Christianity. Some people think that the only words Christ uttered were 'Resist not evil.' Do you think for a minute that if Christ had been alone on the Mount with Mary and a desperate man had entered with criminal intent, He would have turned away when a crime against Mary was perpetrated? Never! He would have fought with all the God‑given strength he had! Religion embraces the sword as well as the dove of peace. Please think this over and let me know if I can join the Yale Aviation Corps.

 p67  J. Walter Struthers of New York and Charles D. Wiman of Moline, Ill., members of the Governors Island Aviation School, were spiraling yesterday​b in a biplane at an altitude of •800 feet above the aviation field on the island when the machine developed tail spinning and dropped to the ground before the aviators were able to regain control of it.

Struthers and Wiman were strapped to their seats under the wreckage of the tail of the biplane, and it was nearly fifteen minutes before the soldiers and mechanics on the field could get them free from the tangled wires and convey them to the post hospital.

Surgeon Lieutenant R. Goodman found that both of Struthers' legs had been broken and he had sustained internal injuries, while Wiman had a fracture of the thigh. Both aviators were unconscious when picked up. Wiman was the first to revive. Struthers, the more seriously injured, will recover, Surgeon Goodman says, unless unforeseen complications develop.

An examination by aviation experts at the Island showed that the pilots had kept their heads, and, at the last moment, had done everything possible to avert the accident, even the switch having been thrown open to avoid risk of the machine catching fire when it struck the ground.

A committee was formed, consisting of Colonel J. B. Bellinger, Major Carl F. Hartmann, and Captain C. G. Kilbourne, all of General Wood's staff, to investigate the accident. The officers said they would wait until Struthers and Wiman were able to answer questions.

Charles Deere Wiman is a Yale graduate, a former member of the Yale varsity crew, and a licensed pilot. He has been making flights from Governors Island since July.

The summer was spent at Mineola [he writes], the present army field. At that time there were three hangars, two belonging to the state Guard, the other to the Wright Aeronautical School. There were four planes on the field that summer, three of our Company and the other of the Wright School. It was in this other plane, a B Wright type with two pusher propellers driven by chains from one motor, with the elevators out in front and the seats for pilot and passenger suspended in open air from the frame (the original type of Wright aeroplane with warping wings and bamboo spars), that Al Sturtevant learned to fly before he was transferred to Governor's Island.

 p70  The other three planes on the field were old and worn out. Only once during the summer were two of them in operation at the same time. There were about thirty men in the Company and needless to say there was very little flying for any one individual. Our time was spent in making a camp and repairing the planes, doing a little reading and ground work in spare moments. There were no buildings at that time on the field, except the hangars, the Company living entirely in tents. It is almost inconceivable that it was only a few years ago when Mineola, the best known field in the country from the very inception of aviation, was nothing more than one of the open spaces of Long Island. This summer, mostly spent in anticipation of the next hop two or three weeks off, was enough to stir thoughts for the future.

Waiting a turn to fly

Following mid‑year examinations, in 1917, an extensive inspection trip to various industrial centers was a part of the regular course in Mechanical Engineering. I was in Tacoma alone in my hotel room thinking of our possible entry into the war when I had a premonition that I should hurry home, that our Unit was going to be called into service. That night I was on my way to New York. Arriving early Sunday morning I called by telephone and asked if he had received a message for me. It was there. Trubee had called the day before. We were leaving for Palm Beach on Wednesday.

During the summer of 1913 while traveling in England I received my first impressions of flying, much to the distress of the family. It was in an old Wright machine at Hendon. The experience was most eventful, the maximum altitude being •fifty feet and the highest speed •forty miles an hour. After landing I was approached by another pilot and informed that he had a machine and would take me up •eight hundred feet at •eighty miles an hour. Being a sucker, I bit. The machine was a Dep with an eighty-horse‑power rotary motor, and the pilot was Niles who during the war covered himself with glory and medals. Nevertheless we did go up eight hundred feet and I did enjoy myself.

 p71  Upon breaking the news to the family the reaction was such as to necessitate an oath whereby I would never even glance at another aeroplane. My aviatorial ambitions then remained dormant until the summer of 1916 when I decided I would learn to fly. After obtaining the permission of the family and having enlisted in the Curtiss School, I packed my bag and departed to Newport News where I was assigned to an F‑boat which must have been built in the time of Alfred the Great. My instructor was Walter E. Lees who did splendid work during the war as a civilian instructor. I spent six weeks there, flying three or four times a week and learning a certain amount about the mechanism of the machine. At the end of the six weeks I was given a license by the Curtiss Company and went on my way.

During the ensuing winter, my junior year at college, I managed with the help of Albert Ditman to meet Captain, now Colonel, Carberry who was at that time in command at Mineola. We discussed the feasibility of using seaplanes in conjunction with the Coast Artillery posts along the coast. He took the matter up with the War Department but nothing ever came of it.

My dear Mr. Davison:

After careful consideration of the conditions as explained by you yesterday, and in view of the fact that yourself and the men you referred to have already had some experience in flying over  p72 water and in a type of aircraft that would be used for this purpose, it is not believed to be necessary to call upon you to make the sacrifices that would be required of you to take up a special course of instruction at this time.

It is requested, however, that you furnish the Navy Department with a list of the men that would be available, the number, type, and general characteristics of the machines that would be available and giving every other detail that would assist us in forming a correct idea of their capabilities in case of need.

In this connection I desire to express to you and to the men you have in charge the Department's very deep sense of appreciation of the patriotic offer that you have made to the Government, and particularly the unusual willingness on the part of all concerned to make any personal sacrifice in order to be of service to the country, not only in an ordinary way but in a branch of the public service that is well known to be of an extremely hazardous nature. It is desired to have the names of the young men making this offer in order that it may be a matter of record in the Navy Department.

My dear Lew:

Your vivid and interesting account of an evening in Washington is particularly appreciated, as I myself returned yesterday from an evening in the District. Every time I go to Washington I make up my mind that if I really want to learn something, the one place I should keep away from is the Capitol City. However, these are eventful days, the calls are many and in varied directions.

As to the Unit, my understanding of the situation is as follows: A Unit of twelve was organized last June, consisting of ten Yale boys and two young chaps in our office. The organization was informal, my boy Trubee being made captain and Bob Lovett (Judge Lovett's son) seconded in command. And it was effected only after several conferences with Navy Department, and was organized along lines approved by them. In fact, they were and have been since in close touch with the plans of the Unit.

The idea in forming it was, so to speak, to set a standard for additional units with the purpose of effecting a coast patrol. So far as I know it is the only organization which has worked along that line and in connection with the Navy. The boys all stayed at my house during the summer and until college opened. Four of them became pilots, having secured their licenses, but the rest did not have sufficient experience to secure the license, although it would take but a very short time to give them enough practice to qualify. After college opened they took two machines up to New London and worked there in connection with the Navy submarine station, getting as much practice in connection with submarine work as the weather permitted.

When the diplomatic situation became tense and there was a general movement toward preparedness, the interest in aviation and particularly in coast defense was greatly increased. Trubee and Bob Lovett took up with President Hadley and Dean Jones the question of sending the Unit and such recruits as might be, at once to Palm Beach where they could complete the course and effect a larger and better prepared organization, putting themselves in shape to get into service promptly. Hadley and Jones  p74 not only acquiesced but also gave their cordial support and endorsement to such a move, assuring them that the position of all students in the service would be fully protected in their college life. Therefore Trubee and Harry went to Washington and conferred with Secretary Daniels, stating that the Unit and several boys in addition were ready to go to Palm Beach and avail themselves of climatic conditions which would enable them to get under way at once. Daniels and his advisors considered the matter for two days and then informed Trubee that while they appreciated the offer and it was of great importance to the Navy Department, they thought under present conditions it was better to defer action and that they would wish to feel free to call upon them at any time.

Since the conference in Washington there have been, as I recall it, about fourteen additional boys, Bill among them, who have expressed their desire to join the Unit and are ready to take whatever steps may be deemed necessary, upon notice. Personally I have no doubt but that there will be a hundred, or in fact any number as soon as there is a movement to be made.

Last week Trubee came down and expressed the opinion of the boys and himself to the effect that if the Government had no objection, they should all go to Palm Beach and thus prepare without waiting for a request on the part of the Government; the point being that in their judgment it was something that had to be done and the sooner it was done the better, and they were willing to do it without the request of the Government, but would not do it if such a move should embarrass the Administration in any way.

This plan did not strike me as wise, as I thought the tactical relation of the Government to the Unit would be very much stronger if they moved at the request of the Government, rather than if they merely moved with the consent of the Government, and I felt then as I do now that events will follow each other so rapidly that it can be but a short time before they will be requested to go. Of course I have seen one phase of the situation which naturally would not come within their view. This embargo of shipping is damming up a wall of commerce, freight, and finance which must find its way through in the very near future. In other words, when our shipping ceased the situation became one of fact, not of theory. That is, it was no longer a sentimental question with us, but a practical one which would of necessity  p75 force an issue of some kind. It seemed to me much like the stopping of some arteries in the leg; either the blood must be forced through and the circulation restored or the leg amputated.

After talking with Trubee and explaining my views, he felt somewhat differently and returned to New Haven. I have heard nothing from him since. When I received your letter I was greatly interested, as I felt that you could undoubtedly render a signal and exceptional service to the boys and to the country, with great satisfaction to yourself. As I previously stated, the Unit had last summer the two machines. One of these I gave to Trubee and the other Dan Pomeroy gave to him. In addition to this I have paid the expenses of the Unit, which up to date have amounted to about $20,000. This includes the cost of one machine. I had expected to bear all expense in connection with the Unit up to the time it should come under the Government direction, when doubtless the Government would bear future outlay. As to your generous offer, I merely want to say that I want you to have such a relation to this situation as will best suit you. We, in any event, can have no question between ourselves on this point. I have been the one to whom the boys have looked for advice and direction, although as you know they are a keen, sensible lot of boys and seem to know how to handle themselves very well. Yet, that they need an older mind is of course beyond question, and the thought therefore that you are ready to take off your coat and do whatever suggests itself to you as the thing to do, pleases me greatly. I have spoken of this to Trubee, who was most enthusiastic about it, and the way it lies in my mind is this:

The first moment that a move seems imminent I would hope that you could come to New York. We would then meet and confer with the boys and determine what was the best thing for them to do. They would be governed entirely by our judgment in the matter. Our conclusion would probably be that they should go south, and you would want to go with them as the Grand Master. From that step developments would probably come rapidly, and you would be governed accordingly. I haven't the slightest reservation in urging this action upon you as I am confident it will be a source of greatest satisfaction to you, and it is therefore the more gratifying that the suggestion comes from yourself.

If nothing develops in the way of orders from Washington, we  p76 can get together when you return and discuss the whole situation with the boys and then determine whether some step is wise. I had hoped all along that nothing short of a request from the Government would interfere with the boys' college course. Furthermore I have stipulated from the beginning that no enlistments in the Army and Navy were to be made from the Unit without my knowledge, and so far as my own boys are concerned, without my consent. In other words, I have tried to guard against hasty action on the part of the boys and their getting themselves into a situation from which they could not be released. This does not mean that my own two boys are not to go the limit, but I am anxious to prevent ill‑advised action.

This is a long, disconnected letter, written at my house, and will be sent without my reading and without my signature, but I hope it conveys something of a picture of the situation and makes clear that in my judgment there is nothing to do pending your return, unless a hurry call comes from the Government.

Dear Trubee:

I have been giving some thought lately to the position that you boys of the Aerial Coast Patrol would be in, in the event of hostilities, realizing that, of course, the Government would not recognize civilian organizations nor enroll them as units. In talking with Capt. Chas. L. Poor, who is Commandant of the First Battalion of the Naval Militia here in New York City, as well as executive secretary of the Naval Training Association, he confirmed this view and warmly urged me to take up with you the idea of having you and the other boys of the Aerial Coast Patrol join the Naval Militia and be assigned to their flying division, which is already organized with about twenty men in  p77 it, two of whom are commissioned officers at present taking a three months' course at the Navy Aeronautic Station, Pensacola, Florida. As I feel there would be no recognition by the Government of the Coast Patrol as a civilian proposition, in the event of war, I think it would be wise for you and the others to consider the proposition of joining the Naval Militia, to support them in this most important branch of coast defense.

I asked Poor to write me a letter on the subject, and am enclosing it to you herewith for your information, and particularly call your attention to the fact that he is now authorized to appoint two of your Unit as officers and others as petty officers, if you should join the Naval Militia Unit, with every prospect of all of you obtaining commissions later on in case of war. Also, that the service required would not interfere with your college studies and would give you a distinct standing and opportunity for real work, if the occasion arises. If you consider this favorably, I will take it up with you further and, of course with Admiral Peary, Mr. Woodhouse, etc.

Any civilian organization of aviators would be compelled in time of war to become a part of the Army, Navy, National Guard, or Naval Militia, otherwise they would not be permitted to fly. I say this with reference particularly to the Aerial Coast Defense Unit of which Mr. Davison and others are members. It would seem to me that he and his friends could be much more useful to the country if enrolled in our aviation section in the Naval Militia. They could with their machines and their numbers very much increase its strength. They would have excellent opportunity for flight at our camp at Bay Shore; they will be enabled to take the Navy Department's instructions at Pensacola or elsewhere and they would have a definite status. We need machines and theirs would be useful to us. I would be in a position to qualify two of the organization as officers and the balance as petty officers for aviation training with every prospect of their obtaining commissions later in war service. I can see no possible objection from the point of view of Mr. Davison and his friends to making themselves available in this way. Under the present system of drills and duties in the Naval Militia, even though these young men were in college we would be able to arrange the periods of drill so that they could during the summer  p78 do Navy duty to exempt them at other times, and the same credits would be allowed for service performed towards the Navy Department's retainer pay. They would not, of course, object to the obligation for service in time of war and could undoubtedly fulfill the required two weeks of training in the summer.

I have this morning had a talk with Frederick Trubee Davison, 1918, the President of the Yale Aero Club, and with two other undergraduates, who are much interested therein. They tell me that Major Carl Hartmann had planned to speak here at Yale in regard to the work of aviation but that his talk had to be postponed at his request. Mr. Davison says that Major Hartmann and Captain Carberry have asked the Aero Club to recommend fifty men for training this summer. Over one hundred applicants have already handed in their names, and the Club expects that more men will apply. Mr. Davison understands that blanks are on their way here now for him to give out to these men to sign, and he tells me that Captain Carberry has recommended to the Government that it appoint a surgeon to conduct the physical examination of men in New Haven who may wish to go into this work.

 p79  Mr. Davison tells me that he is, as I have stated, the President of the Yale Aero Club and that Cord Meyer, 1917S, and Graham Brush, 1917S, are the other members of the executive committee of the Club. Of course they will be very glad to talk matters with you at any time that you may wish to come up here. I would suggest that perhaps it would be wise for you first to see Major Hartmann and then write Davison if you wish to make an appointment to meet with him and the other members of the executive committee up here.

March 27, 1917

L. S. Thompson, Esq.
Representing yourself, Mr. Henry P. Davison and others,
903 Park Ave., New York City.

Dear Sirs:

This letter, written in duplicate and accepted by you, will constitute our agreement in regard to our property now at West Palm Beach.

You are to have use of our hangars, runways, etc., free of charge; you are to leave them in as good condition as you found them, and pay for any work done in accordance with Mr. Trubee Davison's telegram, or that may be done hereafter.

The runways and shop at West Palm Beach

You are to have the use of one of our flying boats, provided the motor is overhauled and it is put in first-class flying shape, packed and put in a car to be shipped to us May 12th.

You are to have the use of our other flying boat on the same conditions, except the date shall be June 15th.

You are to be responsible for any accidents to the boats after they are in your possession.

You are to pack the two new motors (formerly used on the cruiser) and they are not to be used except in some special emergency, and when you leave there, or when we so desire, they are to be shipped to us.

We are to ship you the two motors now in Port Washington  p82 which you are to use as spare motors as well as those in Palm Beach at this time; all of which you are to return to us in perfect condition.

You are to use Mr. McCulloch for four weeks, unless changed by mutual consent, you paying his salary at the regular rate. This is, of course, subject to Mr. McCulloch's consent, which you can no doubt secure.

You are to take an inventory of all the spare parts on hand when you arrive. Any that you want you can purchase, and the balance you can ship to us at Port Washington by freight.

Any parts purchased by you and not used may be returned for full credit.

Yours very truly

The America Trans-Oceanic Company

(Signed) Will Gash

Vice-President

Any student applying for leave of absence because of orders from the United States Government which affect him personally, will be allowed to leave the University immediately; and if he is an undergraduate in good and regular standing at the time of leaving, who has advanced into Junior year, due credit towards a degree will be given him for satisfactory work in the Army or Navy.

'Things moved along in a gradual crescendo to the dramatic hegira, yet the final news was so sudden that it made you dizzy. I was at Harvard as a member of a team debating on the League of Nations. I was the last man to bat for the affirmative and had a canned peroration which denounced predatory war, provisional selfishness, and the Harvard team, and opined that we ought to take our place  p84 in the sisterhood of nations to see that justice was passed around. I was so excited, seeing we were going to lose the debate, that I forgot to be scared and sailed in and wilted my collar. Then when I went back to my seat on the platform came the shock. Talk about the great moments in a young man's life! It was a telegram from Bob Lovett which told me that we were ordered south in a few days and I was to hike back to New London and get sworn in.'

The Need for Thought

The hour is at hand when we shall be called upon to take up arms in defense of our country. The crisis with Germany has come to a head, public opinion has crystallized, the nation is awakening to its duty. Every day may see the entrance of the United States into the great conflict. It is a time when the enthusiasm of patriotism sweeps away the reason of the individual and serious thought is thrown to the winds in the general excitement.

The fact that Aerial Coast Patrol No. 1 goes today to New London to be sworn into the Naval Reserve and is anticipating orders to enter into intensive training soon, brings the seriousness of the situation home to the members of the University. Things are beginning to look like business. It may not be long before the remaining branches of the service follow a simpler course, and all the undergraduates of twenty‑one or over at Yale will be summoned to protect the flag.

Junior Sentiments

With the departure of the members of Aerial Coast Patrol No. 1, the University has been brought face to face with the fact that it will probably not be long before various other units will  p85 be called and United States Army camps will be established throughout the country for the purpose of furnishing intensive training to future reserve officers. It therefore appears merely a matter of time before the majority of men in the Junior and Senior classes in the College and in the Senior class in the Scientific School will be leaving New Haven on the business of serving their country.

This condition of affairs seems at present to have particular effect on the members of the class of 1918 who, relying on more or less consistent rumors, are expecting the annual elections to the three Senior societies to be held in the near future. In view of existing circumstances, the Juniors feel that the holding of the Tap Day ceremonies early this year would be the logical and natural thing to do. Although it is supposed that, in the event of the Senior societies waiting until later, they would give elections to members of the Junior class regardless of their whereabouts, the fact remains that the 1918 delegation may never again have such an opportunity as they would have at the present time to meet intact.