For I dip't into the future,
Far as human eye could see.
Saw the vision of the world,
And all the wonder that would be,
Saw the Heavens fill with commerce,
Argosies of magic sails,
Pilots of the purple twilight,
Dropping down with costly bales.
President Coolidge recited those lines, written by Tennyson in 1842, to the first International Conference on Aeronautics at Washington last week. They were part of his résumé of aviation's 25-year accomplishments. Flyers and aeronautics authorities from 40 nations heard him.
But Orville Wright, whom the President extolled, was not present. A train derailment had delayed him. When he arrived and unobstrusively entered the conference hall...
