Langley Medal

In Washington, William Howard Taft bestowed a medal. Earnestly he spoke praises of the recipient: "May your future work go far to establish the dream nearest your heart, the wide and useful promotion of the subject of commercial aviation." Thus was the Langley Medal, aviation decoration of the Smithsonian Institution, presented to Col. Charles Augustus Lindbergh.

Said Chief Justice Taft, descriptive: "The Langley Medal was established in memory of the third secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Samuel Pierpont Langley. During the last 15 years of his life Dr. Langley's primary interest was in making possible man's flight."

Previous recipients: Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, Glen H. Curtiss, Gustave Eiffel (for research on the properties of the air in respect to flight).

Col. Lindbergh, as usual, was surrounded by handshakers, notables, cheer leaders; was rushed to appointments. Nevertheless he stole time to examine famous airplanes at the Smithsonian: Langley's historic machine; the NC4 which flew the Atlantic in 1919; etc. To their number will be added the Spirit of St. Louis.

But the Spirit has one more appointment before retiring to the cloistered calm of the Smithsonian. In January Col. Lindbergh flies to Mexico City on the invitation of Plutarco Elias Calles, Mexican President.

Into the House of Representatives strode Col. Lindbergh and broke a precedent. He was received by Nicholas Longworth on the Speaker's rostrum, unique honor for a private citizen. Said Mr. Longworth: "America's most attractive citizen." To his feet jumped Representative Snell, New York, moved to confer the Congressional Medal of Honor on the flyer. Hammering his gavel, not waiting for a vote, Mr. Longworth shouted: "The bill is passed!" Laughter; shouts of approval.

Later the Senate was quick to pass the bill.