When the Roosevelt reached quarantine in New York, she was held there several hours until the Mayor’s yacht Macon arrived with its officials, its bands, and our friends. I was sorry to delay other passengers in the Roosevelt who had breakfasted at six and who were forced to wait while we were welcomed.
Then up the bay, to the City Hall and to the Biltmore. Interviews, photographs, and medals, and best of all, friends.
We were home again, with one adventure behind and, as always in this life, others ahead.
CHAPTER X
AVIATION INVITES
THE reception given us—and accorded the flyers who preceded us—indicates, it seems to me, the increasing air-mindedness of America. And it is not only air-expeditions, pioneer explorations and “stunts” which command attention.
The air mail, perhaps more than any other branch of aeronautics, has brought home to the average man realization of the possibilities of aviation. Its regularity and dependability are taken for granted by many. While our development of this phase of air transport is notable, the United States is somewhat backward in other branches, compared with the European nations. We lag behind the procession in passenger carrying and the number of privately owned planes, in proportion to our size.
© Wide World Photos
LANDING AT BURRY PORT—THE UBIQUITOUS AUTOGRAPH SEEKER
